Access to clean water is a fundamental human right, and yet for many communities like the ones in Marsabit County, Kenya, it was a daily struggle. Thanks to donors like you and our partnerships through Match Your Donation, FH Kenya was able to address the water and sanitation challenges in Marsabit and bring clean water to thousands of people.
The Daily Struggle to Survive
For five years, the community of Ramole grappled with access to clean water. The borehole in the area, which is a giant tube drilled deep into the ground to provide fresh water, had been non-operational for over 18 months. Residents were forced to make the trek to the Ramata dam, around 3 kilometers (almost 2 miles) away. The surface of this water was prone to contamination, leading to frequent waterborne illnesses among community members, but even the dam dried up with the lack of rainfall. So families would walk 7 kilometers (over 4 miles) to the next nearby borehole, where long lines would queue for the freshwater.
One such resident was Kule Mohamed, who endured the burden of fetching water daily with her family. The chore outshone everything else, and Kule’s children fell behind in school. Her family’s health and livelihood were impacted, and Kule felt little hope.
“Throughout my life, I have always faced water scarcity,” Kule shared. “Each day, we’d wake up early to fetch water for our household. The Ramata dam was closest, but we would get stomach aches and diarrhea. Our small amount of resources would go towards medical help. Then the dam dried up and we were forced to walk to the nearest borehole, another 7 kilometers away. This daily routine had ripple effects, as my children would frequently be delayed for school and had poor concentration, and our physical health was poor.”
Kule was not alone. Thousands of people in the area struggled with the same routine.
Bringing the Gift of Water to Ramole
Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions in this populated area, FH Kenya worked with the community to install prepaid water meters at the water kiosks in Ramole. The impact of the water meters on the community was exponential and revolutionized water access. They eliminated long queues and improved sanitation for 1,900 households and a total of 11,400 community members. A water management committee was founded and trained so that the new technology would run efficiently, providing clean water day and night.
Classes on hygiene were also provided, and Kule’s family learned alongside others about hand washing, body hygiene, and environmental cleanliness. Additionally, the borehole was also restored to operation, so residents no longer face the arduous task of fetching water from distant sources.
“I am so glad that FH helped my community’s water crisis,” Kule said. “With water accessibility being easy and convenient, my family has enough water at home to support cooking, drinking, and general hygiene. I do not have to wake very early to queue for water and we rarely fall ill. And I am now building savings that I would have otherwise spent on medical bills.”
With easy access to clean water, Kule’s community has been transformed. More than 1,200 children who once had to choose between water and school can now attend regularly, free from the constraints of water-related chores. Distant travel and long lines for clean water have been eliminated, and improved hygiene is practiced throughout the county.
The Power of Multiplied Donations
The exponential impact on Kule’s community is a testament to the life-changing difference of donor-matched donations. These partnerships allow donor gifts to be multiplied 22 times on average. Let’s help more communities like Ramole break free of the cycle of poverty and enjoy the gift of fresh and accessible water!
