Published in April 2025

When we spoke with two members of the Iiani village community in southeast Kenya, they shared stories of spending hours each day collecting water under the scorching sun. However, they also spoke of how their sand dam project has improved prospects for the community, allowing them not only to survive, but to thrive.

Can you tell us your names and a bit about yourselves?

John: My name is John Musau Mutinda. I am a father of five and grandfather of one from Kango village.

Veronica: My name is Veronica Ngonyo Kavoi. I am a mother of two and am from Iiani village. John and I are part of the same self-help group (SHG), the Iiani village SHG in Makueni county.

Why did you get involved in the sand dam project?

John: I joined the group in 2021 to be part of the change happening in our village and to leave a brighter future for my children.

Veronica: I joined in 2020 to strengthen our community spirit and eradicate water poverty.

What was life like before the sand dam project?

John: I would wake up at 7am to fetch water for the day, using a cart and my two cows. The river point where we fetch water was very far away and the journey was dangerous, wild animals on our way would attack us sometimes. When I arrived back from fetching water, I would still have a long day ahead of me because I had to make ends meet for my family, so I would devote the rest of my energy to my farm.

How long did it take you to collect water? Were there any dangers on the road?

Veronica: The distance from my home to the river is 4km, which took me 4 hours to travel every day. The journey contained many rocks where snakes could hide and strike anyone at any time.

What impact did the lack of water have on you and your family?

John: Lack of water and lack of agricultural skills made it very difficult to provide for my large family, meaning that on some occasions we slept without food.

Veronica: The condition of the water from the river worsened everyday as the months got drier and drier. Because the water was often contaminated by diseases, it could be dangerous to our health. My family is large and needed a lot of water, so we often had stomach problems as we had no other option for water.

What has the community achieved since working on the sand dam project?

"As a group, we have managed to build one sand dam and shallow well which is providing lots of water. We are hopeful that the water will take us through the dry months of the year. Our lives are better now because water access is very easy. Many of the diseases we suffered are now never witnessed in our community."

John Musau Mutinda, member of the Iiani Village self-help group, southeast Kenya.

How has your farm benefitted from the project?

Veronica: Before the dam, my farm wasn’t that good. I relied on perennial rains and did not have farming skills to give me better yields. However, my farm has now become more productive and I practice the trainings we received in post-harvest practices and use of organic manure to improve on crop production.

John: Through the many trainings we have received, we can maximise our farm produce and attain food security. Currently, I am harvesting green grams, beans, bananas and spinach.

How has your local environment and land changed?

John: There is plenty of water and the environment is changing very fast, the ecosystem is also growing and we can see new birds coming in our community to get water.

Veronica: It is green everywhere! There is water all over and peace is what can define our environment now.

How have your lives changed since the sand dam project?

John: Our lives are better now that we have access to clean, safe and free water in our community. We have received immense support for our group.

Veronica: Our lives are better now. The challenges we faced obtaining water are now gone. Many waterborne diseases that used to be common are now never witnessed in our community.

How have your children benefitted from the sand dam project?

"My children now have access to enough water for all their needs. They have enough time to play and study as our water challenges are over."

Veronica Ngonyo Kavoi, member of the Iiani Village self-help group, southeast Kenya.

What are your plans for the future?

John: Hopefully I will soon make profit when I establish my farm well and start to sell my produce. My farm has become more productive and, in future when I have a surplus, I think I can have money to pay the school fees of my children.

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Our current appeal: please donate what you can to help communities in Zimbabwe to restore degraded land with sand dams