Water Access Gives Sahr Time for School!

Your gift last year unlocked Sahr's potential for a brighter future. Since then, he and the Koimaya Community of 186 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I am doing great in my academic work. I go to school quickly and have time to study my lessons. Above all, I got good grades," said Sahr.

Before the Well Installation

Like many young people in Sierra Leone, 14-year-old Sahr is responsible for collecting water to meet his daily needs. This task stole his time before last year’s water intervention and negatively affected him.

A community member collects water from the swamp before the well installation.

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. For Sahr, in particular, it lessened his opportunity to collect sufficient water quickly so he could attend school on time.

"It was very difficult to fetch water from the swamp. I must kneel to collect water from the scoop hole. This source has a footpath and [was] surrounded by bush. I walked [a] long distance to the water source, and I could not make more trips due to the distance. Sometimes, I got tired, which caused me not [to be] active [in] other activities. Sometimes I got stuck on the way coming from the swamp, [and] damaged the rubber bucket. I did not launder my uniform quickly, and I did not go to school on time," said Sahr.

Since the Well Installation

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

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!"

"Access to the well [is] easy, and the water is clean to drink. This well has a fence and a gate. The water well area [is] always kept clean," Sahr said.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Sahr and the rest of his 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 Sahr a crucial tool for achieving his dreams: access to clean water. Together, we can excitedly expect that with this precious resource, his enthusiasm and courage will help him fulfill his dreams.

"I have time to fetch water. I have time to study my school notes [and] also go to school quickly," said Sahr. He has a big dream, and having access to clean water will allow him the opportunity to chase it.

"My future is to be a president," Sahr concluded.