Food Security Improves for Mwikali and Her Family!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Mwikali Mutua. Since then, she and the 3,000 residents of Syandu Community have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"The best thing about living with clean water is the improvement in our family's health and well-being," she said. "I like that the water point is close to my home and provides clean water. I no longer have to walk long distances or spend many hours waiting in line."

Before the Sand Dam Installation

Like many in Southeastern Kenya, 52-year-old farmer Mwikali Mutua is responsible for collecting water to meet her daily water 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 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. For Mwikali, it meant that her opportunities to complete her daily tasks and stay healthy were limited.

"Before this project was implemented in our village, accessing water was one of the biggest challenges for my family. We had to walk several kilometers to reach the scoop hole, and during the dry season, the situation became even worse because the water levels would drop significantly. The scoop holes often had long queues, forcing us to spend many hours waiting for our turn. The water was not always safe because it could easily be contaminated by livestock and other activities around the source. As a result, families were exposed to water-related illnesses, and the lack of reliable water affected hygiene, farming, and other household activities," shared Ms. Mutua.

Since the Sand Dam Installation

Your generous gift last year was more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement of your commitment to this community and to Mwikali’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!"

Ms. Mutua, with other community members, is collecting water from the well attached to the sand dam.

"Fetching water is now faster, safer, and less tiring. The convenience has allowed me to focus on other important responsibilities at home and on my farm. I also appreciate that the water source serves many people in the community and has improved our quality of life," Ms. Mutau reported.

"We now have access to clean and safe water for drinking, cooking, and maintaining good hygiene, which has reduced the risk of water-related illnesses that were common when we depended on contaminated sources. Because water is readily available, we are able to bathe regularly, wash our clothes more often, and keep our home and utensils clean, creating a healthier living environment. The project has also reduced the physical strain that came with walking long distances and spending hours searching for water under the hot sun. I now have more energy and time to focus on other responsibilities and productive activities," she continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Mwikali and 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 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 Mwikali 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 her fulfill her dreams.

"Reliable water has helped me establish a kitchen garden near my home. I use water from the project to irrigate vegetables, which provide nutritious food for my family and help reduce household expenses. Because I spend less time fetching water, I can also dedicate more time to managing my home and other productive activities," she reported.

"My dream is to improve my family's livelihood and become more food secure. I would like to expand my kitchen garden and engage in more income-generating activities that can support my household. I am most proud of establishing and maintaining my kitchen garden. Seeing healthy vegetables growing near my home and knowing that I can provide food for my family gives me great satisfaction. I am also proud that my family is healthier and that I now have more time to focus on activities that improve our lives," Mwikali concluded.