Rebecca's Work Allows Her to Provide for Her Family

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Rebecca. Since then, she and the other staff and patients at the Mugai Health Center have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"Clean water makes life easier and fun. It eliminates worries that come with dirty water, like diseases and time wastage," celebrated Rebecca.

Before the Well Installation

Like many healthcare workers who cook, clean, and handle water for the daily needs of staff and patients at healthcare facilities in Western Kenya, Rebecca Ombima is responsible for collecting water to meet the center's daily needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.

Drinking water from the previous water source caused severe consequences. Many of the staff and patients suffered health problems. Collecting the water wasted people's valuable time, and Rebecca recalls that it sapped her physical and emotional energy, limiting her ability to fulfill her daily duties and help keep the clinic operational and safe.

"It [collecting water] was overtime work that I never got paid for. It involved walking all the way to the protected spring outside the health facility to get water, and carrying the water on my head back to the facility was very tedious," shared Rebecca.

"Time wastage was one of the challenges I faced when we didn't have this new water point. Walking to and from the protected spring to fetch water wasted my time that I used to ensure the healthcare facility is clean. I would feel fatigued after fetching water, [which] made me drag when doing the cleaning," she continued.

Since the Well Installation

Your generous gift last year was more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement of your commitment to this health center, its staff and patients, and to Rebecca’s future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

Reliable, clean water lays the groundwork for improved health, education, and economic opportunities, allowing people to thrive. We frequently hear from those we interview that "water is life!"

"I get to start work immediately [when] I get to the health facility. I don't waste time going out to fetch water. This has helped me in ensuring that I clean and cook on time. Filling Lifestraws (water filters) for drinking water has become so easy, and patients have water available all throughout the day," said Rebecca.

"The water is within the compound. Just a few meters from my work stations. I take less than five minutes to get water to my duty posts!"

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Rebecca, the Mugai Healthcare Center, and the surrounding community. This is just the first chapter of their story as access to clean water continues to improve their lives!

At The Water Project, we value sustainability and want to ensure that people continue to thrive. We commit to monitoring this project to ensure the water is always flowing and safe to consume. We inspect system hardware, monitor water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water-quality samples to identify risks. We work with our on-the-ground team to resolve them.

You gave Rebecca a crucial tool for achieving her dreams: access to clean water. Together, we can be confident that, with this precious resource, her enthusiasm and courage will help Rebecca fulfill her dreams.

"Our handwashing station is now equipped with soap always. We no longer wash our hands with plain water like before. The patients can wash their hands regularly, especially after visiting the toilets. The toilets are more comfortable with no odor and with enough water to flush," noted Rebecca.

"Patients' drinking water is always available. Not only is it available, but it's also clean and safe for drinking. They can take their medication from here when needed, unlike before, when they had to carry it home due to a lack of water,' she said proudly.

"We as the staff have our minds now fully focused on work to ensure patients receive services without any delays and hitches. We are well hydrated since we have enough water for drinking. Our meals are prepared on time."

"My dream is to continue working here, so as to pay [my] son's school fees. With water available, I'll be able to execute and maintain my work," Rebecca celebrated.