Published in May 2026

We spoke to two members of Uvilani Central self-help group (SHG). With the support of Sand Dams Worldwide and our southeast Kenyan partner, Africa Sand Dams Foundation (ASDF), the group have built two sand dams.

Can you give me a short introduction?

Penninah: Hello, I am Penninah Mutave. I am 60 years old and I have five children and one grandchild. I live in Uvilani Village, Kenya and I work as a farmer. I am a member of Uvilani Central SHG, and I became a member in 2021.

Mwelu: I am Mwelu Musyoki, 40 years old with two children. I live in Uvilani Village, Kenya and I became a member of Uvilani Central SHG in 2022. I also work as a farmer.

What did you hope to achieve by joining Uvilani Central SHG?

Penninah: I hoped to stop buying food and begin to cultivate food on my own farm.

Mwelu: We approached ASDF because the biggest challenge we had was water scarcity. I looked forward to a life whereby I no longer had to buy water.

Can you describe what life was like before your two sand dam projects? How did you collect your water and how long did it take?

"I used to make two trips a day to collect enough water which was very hard. This wasn’t always possible to do daily, and when I couldn’t, because of the demanding nature of the two trips or because there was too many of us claiming water from one scoop hole, I would be pushed to buy water at 15 Kenyan Shillings (around 9 pence) for a 20 litre jerrycan. This was an added cost I never wanted to spend."

Penninah Mutave, member of Uvilani Central self-help group, southeast Kenya.

Mwelu: We used to depend on water from scoop holes and because I didn’t have a donkey, I found myself buying water daily which was very costly. When I did retrieve water, the long treks made us feel so tired that we could hardly do anything else on our farms.

Before the sand dam projects, what was the quality of water like?

Mwelu: Lacking clean water left our hygiene and sanitation very compromised. Typhoid and cholera were the most common diseases here. My family would often report such cases, at times forcing them to go to hospital.

Penninah: I can attest to our hygiene being compromised. We could not even have a handwashing station in my home, but now I have installed one.

Were there any other drawbacks to not having a sand dam?

Penninah: My children failed to get enough time to play and have the chance to relax. Once they returned from school, they’d have to go to the river first and come back very late meaning they couldn’t have fun.

What are your plans for your individual farms, following the sand dam projects?

"I am currently preparing a piece of land whereby I will grow vegetables. I also want to revive my terraces to control soil erosion. I plan to grow fruit trees like mangoes and oranges while focusing on growing kales, spinach, tomatoes and onions in larger quantities. I plan to be making 7,000 Kenyan Shillings (around £40) per month, which I will be using to pay for school fees."

Mwelu Musyoki, member of Uvilani Central self-help group, southeast Kenya.

Penninah: I have numerous crops on my farm. I am also preparing a piece of land whereby I want to plant vegetables for my family and sell the surplus. I plan to be making 10,000 Kenyan Shillings (around £60) per month, which I will be using to pay for school fees.

To conclude, how do you feel about the sand dam projects?

Mwelu: I just love how this simple technology is going a long way to assist in providing water for my community.

Penninah: I like the idea; this is a legacy I am leaving for my community.

---

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