Titus feels overwhelming relief and gratitude for clean water!

Titus Muuo, a 28-year-old farmer, recalled what life was like in the Kilia Community before his community's sand dam was implemented last year.

"We have had great water challenges, unimaginable ones. The area we are in is an arid and semi-arid region that expects little or no rainfall. Water was scarce. We did not have enough to drink [and] we had already forgotten about agriculture," shared Titus.

"Getting water was an arduous task for me. I could spend my nights and days looking for water from the scoop holes. As a young man, this was a life-threatening activity because many times, I could be attacked by wild animals as I walked to the river. Often, that water wasn't even clean or reliable. Sometimes, we had to dig scoop holes in the dry riverbeds, hoping to find a few drops of water to sustain us. It was exhausting and demoralizing, knowing that the water we collected might not even be safe to drink. Every trip for water was filled with uncertainty and fear for our health," continued Titus.

Collecting water is now much different and simpler for Titus and the other community members in Kilia.

Titus at the well.

"The fact that we don't queue and we drink clean water excites me more. Now, with the sand dam project completed, we have a reliable source of clean water right in our community. It's transformed our lives in ways we never thought possible. We no longer worry about queueing at the scoop [hole] or drinking dirty water. The sense of relief and gratitude is overwhelming," Titus said.

Having ready access to water from the sand dam has made a difference for Titus, allowing him to do what he thought was impossible - have a sustainable, successful agriculture project.

"This project has been an inspiration to me. I have peace of mind, and I am now doing very well. My farm is very productive, and I am happy about it. The Lord has heard my prayers for sure. Water is life, and with this project, I am assured of life as well as the community at large," Titus concluded.

"I am hoping to become the biggest farmer in my county, Makueni. I want to beat all odds and entirely rely on my farm!"

Titus, the farmer!