By Mahnaz M Harrison | Project Leader
The Request for Water
In 2022, during a visit to a remote village in Kenya’s West Pokot region, field officers working to prevent Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) heard a heartfelt plea from the community: they needed a well. For generations, the villagers had endured long, dangerous walks to fetch water that was often unsafe. Mothers woke early, children missed school, and the elderly suffered—all for a basic need that should never be out of reach.
A Partnership is Born
Last Mile4D, who soon found an incredible partner in Inspired Women Pay it Forward, a U.S.-based group dedicated to generosity and action. The group had long supported efforts to end FGM, and when they heard about the village’s water crisis, they saw a powerful opportunity—not just to provide clean water, but to help break the cycle of suffering caused by FGM.
A Mission United
This partnership expanded further when CEED, a non-profit focused on bringing clean water to East Africa, joined the mission. In July 2024, Last Mile4D and CEED teamed up to provide a well in the village of Shongen, a strategic location that would serve nearby villages and Kaingeny Comprehensive School. In exchange for the well, elders, leaders, and community members had to sign a declaration pledging to stop FGM.
A Race Against Time
The fundraising efforts were intense, but the community's dedication and support made it possible. Every dollar raised was a step closer to providing clean water and creating lasting change. In November 2024, the funds were secured, and construction began.
The Miracle Unfolds
By March 6, 2025, just days before International Women’s Day, the well was completed. As the first drops of clean water flowed, the community celebrated with cheers, laughter, and tears of joy. Women and children danced, and elders, witnessing the change, signed the declaration to end FGM. This well was more than just a source of water, it was a symbol of freedom and hope for the village. It meant girls could go to school rather than spending their days searching for water, and mothers no longer had to risk their safety for a basic necessity.
A Lasting Impact
The well now sustains over 8,000 people and many animals. But many more villages still need help. More women and girls are waiting for a chance at a better life. With your support, you can help bring the next miracle, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IkQ5IT7jGc turning hope into reality for those in need.
Your Support Makes These Possible
Your contributions are the lifeline for this work. Every girl enrolled, every tree planted, and every family engaged is a testament to the power of your support. Together, we can ensure that every girl has the chance to dream, thrive, and lead a healthy life with dignity.
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Thank you for walking alongside us in this fight. Your unwavering support fuels our progress, one girl and one community at a time.
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