Published in June 2026

Ngui A self-help group (SHG) is a community group located in Makueni County, Kenya. The group’s story serves as an example of how the SHG model, which emphasises collaborative work and community ownership, can prove extremely effective in achieving water security in drylands.

We spoke to Ruth Kang’uta (38-year-old mother of two) and Titus Kimanthi (32-year-old father of one) about being members of Ngui A SHG and what it was like while the group proactively tackled their water crisis by building a sand dam. Regarding her involvement, Ruth said:

“I joined the group in 2020 so that I could help in championing a solution to the water scarcity in my community.”

Water scarcity in the area forced individuals to wake up in the early hours to prepare for a gruelling journey to the nearest water source, which was a scoop hole in a river, hours away from home for many. Titus recounts this experience:

“Before this project, I would wake up at 7:30am and prepare for the river. This was a daily routine to the river which is around 2km from my home. The hardest challenge was queuing up waiting for our chance to get water which felt like forever. At the river, many people, especially women and girls, flocked to the source with as many jerrycans as possible.”

Titus remembers the extra caution one had to take to get water without harming themselves:

“We used to dig scoop holes which were extremely dangerous. The scoop hole went so deep such that if anyone tripped in there, their lives might be lost.”

Titus Kimanthi, member of Ngui A self-help group, southeast Kenya

The water found in scoop holes was contaminated and its consumption triggered many of the illnesses the community often faced. Ruth shares the reality of constantly exposing oneself to waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea and cholera, explaining that once one sickness was overcome, it was not long until they were sick again:

“Water from the river was open to contamination… I suffered cholera which stuck for around two weeks. My children would stay at home whenever they got sick and needed medical attention, missing school which affected their education. I have fallen victim not once or twice, but several times, because the water from Syuuni River was dirty.”

Prior to the sand dam project, Ruth and Titus, who both rely on farming for their livelihoods, were struggling with their crops due to the unreliable rains. This was until they had access to water from their sand dam. Titus says:

“Since I started working on this project my life has changed a lot… I was at a great disadvantage before, because of my lack of sufficient farming knowledge and lack of water. I was not a great farmer and my yields were unreliable. This pushed me to find other ways to feed my family. I used to study coding but since we have water I have fully switched to farming.”

Things are now looking up for the Ngui A SHG members. Other than the changes to individual lives, Ruth noticed that the community dynamics have shifted allowing for greater cohesion as they work towards a common goal:

“As a community, we now have a good relationship. This is because while working on the project we interacted so much and got to share a lot with neighbours whom we never had time to spend time with or meet before.”

Ruth Kang’uta, member of Ngui A self-help group, southeast Kenya. 

After receiving training from our southeast Kenyan partner, Africa Sand Dam Foundation (ASDF), in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), as well as climate-smart and sustainable agriculture techniques, Ruth and Titus are seeing positive developments. Ruth states:

“My farm is now looking good and is very productive. Even the soil texture is looking good. I use post-harvest practices which helps my produce to have a longer lifespan. Currently I have planted; oranges, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and more. I have been able to make 5,000 Kenyan Shillings (about £30) so far, from tomato and sweet potatoes sales.”

Titus concludes by reflecting on the changes this community project has made on all aspects of life:

“My children are now quickly able to get water and study, as well as play and do other activities, such as attending Sunday school. I feel very happy.”

---

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