A Year Later: Munyanya Spring

A year ago, generous donors helped build a spring protection and sanitation platforms for the community surrounding Munyanya Spring in Kenya. Because of these gifts and our monthly donors, partners are able to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories - we're excited to share this one from partner Catherine Chepkemoi with you.

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The life of community members around Munyanya spring has changed tremendously. They now access safe drinking water which is available throughout the day unlike before where water was contaminated. Cases of water-borne diseases have reduced as a result of drinking safe water. Women and students living in rented houses around the spring are a happy lot. They have saved a lot of money which they used to incur in paying water bills. Being a student with no income, life is not easy. Therefore, saving a shilling is very important.

Regular health and hygiene training in this community are of great importance. This is because of lack of consistency in terms of the community. Most of them are tenants, therefore they keep changing places to live especially when the rental prices are hiked. WEWASAFO will continue supporting this community to ensure that sanitation and hygiene standards are upheld over time.

“The biggest change that has happened to this community is that more than 100 households of about 800 people are now confident they are accessing safe drinking water. Clean and safe drinking water is now available throughout the day,” says community member Shilla Khasanti. “Personally, I now save a lot of time since we draw water directly from the pipe unlike before where we used to scoop water using jugs to fill a 20-liter jerry can.”

Catherine asked 8-year-old Bridgit Floyce how life has changed since the spring was protected last year. “We now have clean safe drinking water. When I come back from school every day, I usually help my mother to fetch water from the spring. I feel happy and I like drawing water from the pipe.”

Availability of water from Munyanya spring has greatly helped the students and community living in the area. We are excited to stay in touch with this community and report back more positive findings.

The Water Project and our partners are committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by monthly donors, allows us to visit communities up to 4 times a year. Read more about our program and how you can help.