My name is Margaret Juma Jobita, I am 52 years old. I was born in Kanyakwar, in Kisumu, Kenya, and got married in the Nyalenda slums. I’m blessed with five children, two boys and three girls.
My family used to live on very little income until I was able to take out a WaterCredit loan from Water.org and Pamoja Trust for a water tap at my home. Now I sell clean water to my community right in front of my house. Before this, everyone used to walk long distances for water.
I sell a jerry can of 20 liters at 3 shillings (USD $0.04) and a bucket at 2 shillings (USD $0.02). I start selling water at 6 a.m. because many people prefer to collect their water in the morning hours before they leave for their jobs. I close my tap at 8 p.m. The only problem that I have encountered so far is a shortage of water at times. If I can obtain a water tank for storage, then my clients will always get water within their vicinity.
I’m happy because my children no longer have to fetch water after school and can now complete their homework on time. Also, I’m pleased to not have to ask my husband for money for other needs.
I and the other residents of Nyalenda believe that waterborne disease will be greatly reduced since we are now using clean, safe water. I am short of words to express what I felt when we got this water. I would like to say to the God of Israel, bless those people who gave us this water.
