Clean Water for Dominican & Kenyan Communities

In addition to providing vital W.A.S.H. education to children and adults here in Baitoa, DR, Project Hearts is also committed to making sure residents have the resources they need in order to put into practice what we teach about improving health via proper sanitation & hygiene, all of which depends heavily on having sufficient clean water. While we usually receive funding for our subsidized water tank and filter program, we do not always have enough money available to cover the costs of full donations to families who cannot afford to invest in water solutions. Thanks to your generosity, though, we have been able to assist such families, including that of Kenia.

Kenia’s home was situated right next to a stream, which is ideal for many families here in Baitoa who do not have reliable access to water. However, over the past few years, the stream has disappeared and all that remains is a rocky trench.

During the construction of their donated home, a water tank was cut and placed inside the home in order to provide them with running water. After a while, though, it began leaking and the family no longer had access to water in their home. For over a year they had to bring water from a nearby neighbor’s house.

But because of your gifts, we were finally able to complete the installation of a new tank – placed on a raised platform so Kenia and her family do not have to collect and carry buckets of water in order to simply wash dishes, flush the toilet, clean the house, or bathe. This will allow them to be healthy, especially during a time when something as basic as washing hands could save their lives.

This donation is especially meaningful to Kenia. For a long time she has struggled as a single mother after finally separating from her husband, who was emotionally abusive to her because of her darker skin. To provide for her three sons, Kenia cleaned houses for years, despite having severe arthritis and other debilitating health issues. In 2018 her physical condition finally deteriorated to the point that she could no longer work, this at the same time that her improvised indoor water tank began leaking.  Kenia is so grateful to have received this help!