Published in July 2026

We spoke to David and Agnes, members of Ngomani self-help group (SHG), based in Makueni County in southeast Kenya, about their recent sand dam project. 

We asked David Muteti (45-year-old, farmer and father of four) and Agnes Mutonya (43-year-old, farmer and mother of four), to share their experiences of being a part of a sand dam project. Each joined Ngomani SHG, hoping to help their community overcome water scarcity and finally access clean and reliable water. Agnes shared with us what life was like at this time:

“Before starting this project, I was just trying to find water. During the dry seasons, I woke up daily at 6:00am to rush to the river as was typical for other women in our community. The journey is long and the scoop holes there aren’t promising. I would get back home at 10:00am worn out and hungry.”

The journey to water was not only long and tiresome, but it was dangerous, exposing community members to excessive dust inhalation (from the dusty roads) and eventual consumption of contaminated water from the river scoop holes. David shares how his health was compromised during this time:

“The road is always dusty especially during the dry seasons. I personally experienced a lot of fatigue, headaches, and even some difficulty breathing, which lasted for about two weeks. The little water we found was often dirty, and it made us sick.”

David Muteti, member of Ngomani self-help group, southeast Kenya.

Other than the water related health issues, there were ongoing challenges with farming and producing sufficient produce for sustenance and to sell to make an income. This is one of the major reasons Ngomani SHG approached our southeast Kenyan partner, Africa Sand Dam Foundation (ASDF), for assistance. Agnes shares the troubles she faced:

“My farm was bare. It was not productive. I used to do a trial-and-error technique with my farming and because of this I struggled, with little to no harvest. When water was scarce, growing produce was nearly impossible; the plants just couldn't survive without regular watering.”

However, after collaborating with ASDF to build two sand dams, Agnes and David’s community have seen major transformations. With reliable access to clean water, closer to home, Agnes and David have observed changes to the land and experienced improvements in farming livelihoods and overall wellbeing. Agnes says:

“Since the sand dam was constructed, our land has completely changed. The soil is more fertile, crops grow better, and we have water even during the dry season. Before, we had to walk long distances for water, but now it's right here, and it's cleaner too. The area around the dam is greener, and even some wildlife has returned.”

Agnes Mutonya, member of Ngomani self-help group, southeast Kenya.

David shares similar sentiments, saying that like Agnes, his casual farming techniques were not delivering great results, but since receiving farming training from ASDF, including teachings about drought-resistant crops and land terracing, things are looking up:

“Since getting farming training, I now see the potential in every piece of land, and I’ve gained the confidence to grow crops. I have planted sorghum and citrus trees. I am doing a harvest in a couple of weeks to come and hopefully I will make 50,000 Kenyan Shillings (about £290) from onion sales.”

After reflecting on all the sand dam project has done for his community, David expresses a sense of achievement and pride:

“My greatest achievement since working on this sand dam project has been witnessing the change; seeing the land change, families having water, food and no longer struggling.”

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Please donate what you can and help to empower vulnerable women and girls in drylands to transform their own lives with sand dams and clean water