Published in April 2026

Margaret Kokoa wears a lot of hats. She is a 73-year-old grandmother to four, a farmer and active member of Tyaa Kwa Tito self-help group (SHG). In this interview, we hear Margaret's thoughts on her SHG's new sand dam, located much closer to her home, which is set to transform not only her life, but the lives of those in the family, and their land.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Margaret. I am 73-years-old and I take care of my four grandchildren. They rely on me for everything including food, their general wellbeing and helping to pay for their school fees. I am also proud to say that I am the Chairlady of Tyaa Kwa Tito self-help group (SHG) based in Kamutungu Village, Kenya.

Why did you join Tyaa Kwa Tito SHG?

We were established by community members who were determined to solve the constant issue of water scarcity in our area.

What does a typical day look like for you right now? 

A typical day for me starts early in the morning. I prepare breakfast for my grandchildren, then head out to fetch water, which can take me 2 hours. After that, I work on my farm, tend to my crops and look for firewood. By the evening, I’m exhausted but still have to cook, help the children with their chores, and plan for the next day. The hardest part is the worry about water, as I am too tired to make multiple trips for water. I often worry whether there will be enough for the household and the farm.

What is it like collecting water?

It can take up to two hours to collect water. The journey is not easy; the terrain is rough, with hills and rocky paths that are hard to navigate, especially for someone my age. There are also risks of encountering wild animals (like snakes) or slipping on rocky slopes.

Are your grandchildren negatively impacted by water scarcity in your community?

The long walks to fetch water means that I have less time to focus on farming and taking care of my grandchildren. This means there is less time together as a family than I would like. It’s an exhausting journey, and fatigue makes it hard to accomplish much else during the day. Water scarcity also affects their education. They sometimes miss school to help with water collection. This affects their learning and puts them at a disadvantage compared to other children.

How have Sand Dams Worldwide and our local partner, Africa Sand Dam Foundation (ASDF) assisted you now?

"Sand Dams Worldwide and Africa Sand Dam Foundation, have supported us by helping us build a sand dam [much closer to my home]. This dam will reduce the time and energy spent on fetching water. They have also provided us with further training in areas such as crop production, terracing to conserve soil and water, hygiene and sanitation, livestock production, and tree nurturing. These skills will help us make better use of our resources and improve our livelihoods."

Margaret Kokoa, member and Chairlady of Tyaa Kwa Tito self-help group, southeast Kenya.

How do you think the construction of another sand dam will change your life?

On a personal level, I hope my life will improve significantly. I look forward to not having to spend hours fetching water every day and having enough water for my family and farm. With more nearby water available, I can increase my crop yields, provide better food for my grandchildren, and maybe even sell surplus produce to earn an income. I also hope to spend more time on other productive activities and less time worrying about water shortages.

What are your farming plans and how do you imagine the future to be more generally?

I plan to grow more crops like cowpeas, beans, sorghum, vegetables and green grams. I also want to plant fruit trees and indigenous trees to improve the environment and provide additional sources of food and income. I imagine a future where I make enough income to help cover my grandchildren’s school fees, buy food and save for emergencies. I am proud of what we have accomplished so far and I’m optimistic about the impact another sand dam will have on our lives.

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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