Rebecca's Work Allows Her to Provide for Her Family

October, 2026

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.

Navigating through intense dry spells, performing preventative maintenance, conducting quality repairs when needed and continuing to assist community leaders to manage water points are all normal parts of keeping projects sustainable. The Water Promise community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help Mugai Health Center maintain access to safe, reliable water.

We’d love for you to join this world-changing group committed to sustainability.

The most impactful way to continue your support of Mugai Health Center – and hundreds of other places just like this – is by joining our community of monthly givers.

Your monthly giving will help provide clean water, every month... keeping The Water Promise.

Project Status



Project Type:  Borehole Well and Hand Pump

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 126 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Oct 2025

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 10/09/2026

Project Features


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Community Profile

Report Submitted by
Lillian Achieng', Field Officer

The 6 staff members of Mugai Health Center provide a wide range of services for their community, from general care and immunizations to labor and delivery services. Last year, they served over 11,000 people, but it was a serious challenge without adequate, clean water.

Health center staff.

"This facility was established in the year 2017 by the community because of [the] distance they had to cover to [the] nearest facility in search of medical services," shared Field Officer Lillian Achieng'.

Currently, the staff relies on water collected in a rainwater tank that is piped to a sink in the health center to meet their water needs. Not surprisingly, it doesn't take long for the tank to run dry, especially during the dry season. Without water, it is impossible for them to continue to offer care, so they must find water elsewhere to continue.

Gladys Muhutsani collecting water.

Most often, that means they must pay for a staff member, usually the center's cleaner, to travel to the nearby Sundolo Community to collect water from a spring previously protected by us. Although it can provide sufficient water, it is a long, exhausting task that takes about thirty minutes for each trip. Paying to collect water is an added cost for which they really don't have the extra resources. It is not an ideal situation, but they have no alternative without a reliable water source.

Francis.

Ten-year-old Francis, who lives in the community, seeks medical attention when he is not feeling well at the health center.

"The tanks at the dispensary sometimes don't have water, especially when it's not raining. I feel bad when I am given tablets for medication, and there is no water to use to take them. I have to carry my medication home to be able to take it," said Francis.

Safe drinking water is crucial to good health. Ideally, both patients seeking medical care and those offering medical services should have access to it.

The health center waiting area.

With a well installed at the health center, the staff will have enough safe and reliable water to quench their and their patients' thirst, improve their infrastructure to provide further services, and provide excellent medical services.

Steps Toward a Solution

Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. They decided to drill a borehole well, construct a platform for the well, and attach a hand pump.

Well
Abundant water often lies just beneath our feet. Aquifers—natural underground rivers—flow through layers of sediment and rock, offering a constant supply of safe water. A borehole well is drilled deep into the earth to access this naturally filtered and protected water. We penetrate meters, sometimes even hundreds of meters, of soil, silt, rock, and more to reach the water underground. Once found, we construct a platform for the well and attach a hand pump. The community gains a safe, enclosed water source capable of providing approximately five gallons of water per minute. Learn more here!

Handwashing Stations
Alongside each water source, we install handwashing stations at points of care and at the latrines, enabling everyone at the health center to wash their hands. Handwashing is crucial for preventing water-related illnesses within the health center and community. Health center staff will maintain the stations, fill them with water, and supply them with soap, which we will teach them how to make.

Latrines
We ensure there are Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine blocks that effectively prevent the transmission of fecal diseases. Each latrine will boast a durable cement floor for easy use and maintenance. We’ll ensure at least one stall is reserved for staff, along with gender-separated toilets that include menstrual hygiene facilities and accessible options for individuals with limited mobility.

Health Center Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each health center's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point. Encouraged and supported by the guidance of our team, a water user committee comprises a community health volunteer, the staff in charge of the clinic, a community leader, and the health center board representative. They assume responsibility for maintaining the waterpoint, promoting safe hygiene and sanitation practices, and keeping handwashing stations well-stocked.

Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the community.

Project Updates


October, 2025: Mugai Health Center Well Complete!

Your contribution has given access to clean water for the Mugai Health Center in Kenya, thanks to the completion of their borehole well! Staff, patients, and their families are already using the well’s flowing water, which will provide the health center with a reliable water source for all of its daily needs.

"This project has come at the right time, when we really needed it, because for a very long time, we had relied only on [a] rain harvesting plastic tank that could not supply us with enough water both at the kitchen and medication section. With reliable water within our premises, I believe that as a facility, we are going to have sufficient water to meet all our needs," celebrated 49-year-old Charge Nurse, Tom Makokha.

Mr. Tom Makokha.

"Having this water source within the facility premises will ensure that every patient who visits the facility for medication will be provided with clean, safe water to drink as they wait at the bay to be served. With [the] consumption of safe water, it will reduce cases of waterborne diseases and eliminate any agents of contamination," exclaimed Tom.

"This waterpoint will help in ensuring that our facility is generally clean, always, and appealing to our clients, which in itself will act as proof of quality services offered."

Nurse Salma Murai shared her excitement.

Nurse Salma Murai.

"This water source will positively impact the lives of the patients by prolonging [their lives] because of drinking safe, clean water free from disease-causing pathogens, and [their] health will improve from using assured water from a known source. We want to eliminate water-related diseases and improve service delivery, especially in emergency cases, such as helping expectant mothers to deliver their babies, even if we do not have [a] maternity wing," Nurse Murai said.

How We Got the Water Flowing

Staff and community members all contributed to this well’s success. After determining the best site for the well through a hydrogeological survey, we obtained approval from the government to begin drilling.

To prepare, everyone helped collect fine sand and water for cement-making. Our drill team and staff arrived at the center to begin work when everything was ready.


Drilling started with excitement in the air. We continued drilling to reach a final depth of 120 meters with a final static water level of 3.5 meters.

The drilling process can take up to three consecutive days to complete due to this region’s hard bedrock, so the drill team set up a camp where they could rest and refuel.

Once we reached the required depth, a permanent casing was installed, and the dirty water at the bottom of the well was bailed out. Workers installed pipes, flushed them, tested the well’s yield, and chlorinated the water.

After chlorination, we constructed a cement well pad to seal it off from any ground-level contaminants. Tiles were installed beneath the spout to protect the cement from the erosive force of the water.

We included a short drainage channel and a soak pit to carry spilled water away from the pump and prevent standing water.

When the well pad was dry, we installed a new stainless steel hand pump and performed a water quality test. The results showed that this water was safe for drinking!
The enthusiasm for this much-anticipated project was overwhelming. We officially gave ownership of the new borehole to the health center staff and the local community members.

Everyone celebrated the health center’s new water source. The celebration was a great opportunity to acknowledge the staff and remind them of our continued support. Happiness, thanksgiving, and appreciation were the order of the day, flowing in all directions.

Improved Sanitation Facilities

This project funded the installation of modern sanitation facilities at the health center. Newly constructed latrines now serve both patients and staff, including a dedicated, accessible unit for people with disabilities. Each latrine is built with cement floors and walls, ensuring durability, easy cleaning, and low-maintenance upkeep.

Staff in front of the completed latrines.

To promote proper hygiene, sinks with running water were installed alongside the latrines, encouraging regular handwashing among patients, caregivers, and medical staff. Additionally, a biodigester system was introduced to manage waste sustainably. The biodigester uses natural bacteria to safely break down human waste, reducing environmental impact while supporting long-term waste management solutions.

With these improvements, the health center is now better equipped to maintain high standards of hygiene and sanitation. Patients and healthcare workers alike benefit from safer, cleaner facilities, which directly support the prevention of disease transmission and the overall well-being of the community.

Community Education

We scheduled hygiene and sanitation training with the health center staff. When the training day arrived, field officers Lillian and Nelly deployed to the site to lead the event. 17 people attended the training.

During our training, we covered a range of essential topics, including personal, oral, food, and environmental hygiene. We discussed disease prevention strategies, the ten-step handwashing protocol, and the construction of handwashing facilities. Additionally, we talked about safe water handling, maintenance, and operation of water points, as well as principles of leadership and governance.

"[The] personal hygiene topic was very interesting. Under this topic, I was able to learn how to make soap. This method is easy and [very] affordable compared to buying soap from the shops. As a health promoter, I'll carry this message into the communities I work in so that every family can have enough soap for cleaning purposes. Still under [the] personal hygiene [topic], I enjoyed the menstrual hygiene subtopic. I have been encouraged as a man not to shy away from discussing this topic [with] our mothers, sisters, and daughters. I'm now able to openly talk and educate others on menstrual hygiene," shared Wilson Muyekho, a 35-year-old community health promoter and the newly appointed Chairman of the Water User Committee.

Thank you for making all of this possible!




August, 2025: Project Update at Mugai Health Center!

We’re making steady progress towards completing the construction of the new well and sanitation facilities at Mugai Health Center. We are completing the final portion of the project: installing specialized latrine facilities that will improve access for those with disabilities.

We look forward to sharing more once our artisans and trainers wrap up their work in the next few weeks. When the time comes, there will be much to celebrate.

Thank you for your support!




July, 2025: Exciting Progress at Mugai Health Center!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for the entire staff and surrounding community of Mugai Health Center. Construction has begun on the well project, bringing them one step closer to having clean, reliable water.

But that's not all—during construction, we’re also providing vital health training. These sessions equip the staff and community with essential hygiene practices, ensuring that the benefits of clean water extend to lasting health improvements.

We’re so grateful for your role in making this possible. Stay tuned for more updates—soon, we’ll be celebrating the arrival of safe water at Mugai Health Center!




Project Photos



Contributors

3 individual donor(s)