Cerilla Dreams of Water Security for Generations to Come!

Your gift last year unlocked Cerilla Musenya's potential for a brighter future. Since then, she and the Shikumulo Community of 105 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I like that now we do not line up for hours to fetch water. There is ample time to fetch water at our convenience. Also, access to the water point is easy. We do not slide, [and] during [the] rainy season, we access the waterpoint easily because the ground is not slippery," said Cerilla.

Before the Spring Protection

When we first spoke to Cerilla Musenya, a 61-year-old farmer, last year, she was frustrated because collecting water consumed much of her day, leaving her little time to attend to her farm and other daily responsibilities.

Before the spring protection drinking the water caused severe consequences. Many in the community suffered from waterborne diseases that created health problems, affecting their daily lives. Limited accessibility also meant people wasted time collecting sufficient water to meet their needs. The difficult journey to collect water sapped their physical and emotional energy, creating roadblocks.

"It was frustrating due to [the] muddy and slippery ground and rocky pool of water around the water point. We used to slide and fall. Also, climbing back with [a] jerrican full of water was difficult for me and the rest of the community members," said Cerilla.

Since the Spring Protection

Your generous gift last year was much more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement about your commitment to this community and Cerilla's future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

Cerilla (blue shirt) with others at the protected spring.

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

"My health has changed because now there are minimal health issues related to water. I now get enough rest because l now fetch water without [the] inconvenience of waiting for hours to fetch it. Also, [I] get a lot of water to store due to fetching water as many times as l want," said Cerilla.

"I have used the water from [the] Omurayi Spring for [the] construction of my new house that is within my homestead. Also, l have used the water to irrigate my nursery beddings that are within my homestead as well. I use the same water from Omurayi Spring for my animals that l rear to drink," continued Cerilla.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Cerilla and the rest of her 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 the system hardware, track water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water quality samples to identify risks. We work with our team on the ground to resolve them.

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

"My dream is to see my children's children drink safe, clean, and reliable water from Omurayi Spring. Also, to see it being well maintained as it is [now] for the years to come is my dream," said Cerilla.