Dear Water

Henry Mango, field worker in Nyatike Project, Kenya

Children in Nyatike, Kenya, describe how their lives have been changed for good by the arrival of safe, clean water in their village.

There’s been no rain for the past four months. A few weeks ago our two main rivers were extremely low and the banks creep closer and closer together. Many of the seasonal streams run dry.

Many local children and families drink the river water. They know it’s not safe, but they have no choice. Can you imagine giving your children water that you know could make them sick?

"We drink this water, but there are insects living in this water, when you drink it, you become sick for four weeks and during this time I miss school," says nine-year-old Lucy.

When you drink dirty water, is it not like taking poison?

Life in the village centres on the river, and everything you can imagine happens here. Women, children and men bathe. Kitchen utensils and clothes are washed. Cattle are brought to drink. Motorbikes are washed.

As many as eight factories along the banks of the river pour waste into it.

There aren’t enough toilets in the community, so many people go to the toilet in the open air. When the rain comes, their waste washes into water sources.

For many people there is little choice as Ndege, a grandfather from Nyatike, explains:

"A human being cannot go without bathing, so they're forced to bathe with this itching water because there is no alternative."

I know that the most important thing in a human being’s life is water, because you cook using water; when you feel thirsty, you drink water; when your clothes are dirty, you use water; even when you want to wash your hands, you use water.

If you wash your hands with water that is soiled, has insects in it, and then you eat with your hands, are you not eating poison?

Fresh water brings health and hope

Thanks to child sponsors, we have distributed water treatment filters to families so they can purify the river water, and give it to their children with peace of mind that it won’t make them sick.

We have dug boreholes and shallow wells so that there are safe and clean alternatives to river water. We are building pipelines to take fresh water to the villages. We have water tanks to harvest rain water for many schools, for hand washing, and have built latrines to keep the environment clean.

This is making a massive difference.

Children aren’t missing school from sickness as much as they used to. Now they can concentrate on their future. They don’t have to walk long distances alone to collect water, so they feel safer. Clinton, a secondary school student, shares:

"The toilet has helped us prevent diseases like cholera and typhoid. Before, we used to go to the bushes and our lives were in danger because we could be attacked by animals and snakes. Now we have a safe place to go for a 'long call.' I am learning well at school and my performance has become so high. I'm very thankful."

Some primary school students from Nyatike wrote a poem for their sponsors who have helped bring fresh, clean water to their homes and schools.

Dear water, it was hard to get you

Waking up at dawn

Buckets on our heads

Donkeys loaded with jerry cans

Miles we walked

In the scorching heat

To look for you

Dear water, at last you came

Sweet water

Our backs are rested

The miles are no more

Diseases are gone

For you are closer to us

Dear water, you are such a blessing

Sponsors, you are our dear friends, thank you