You've probably seen kids out and about this summer, maybe even your own children, having fun and being carefree. Through summer camps and fun activities, they get to enjoy the simple joys of childhood. For girls like Mercy, however, life once revolved around a very different reality. For girls like Mercy, however, life once revolved around a very different reality.
Mercy is a high spirited 15-year-old from the a girls rescue center in Kenya, who vividly recalls the hardships of her past.
"It was difficult being at my original home because there were many challenges," she begins. "We didn't have enough food, and going to school was all but just a dream. But now, my days are spent at this amazing center. I help with chores, learn new things, and my favorite part - play with my friends."
We can agree with her - moments spent with friends during our youth are some of the most precious. They shape our memories and build the foundation of our happiest times.
But for Mercy, every day used to be a perilous journey for water. "Before the water project, the other girls and I would walk over 3 miles to get water," Mercy recounts, her eyes reflecting the danger she faced. "It was terrifying because animals like elephants also came to the same water point. We had to use ash to make the water clean, but it never felt safe."
However, thanks to your support, the introduction of tapped water at their center became a turning point. With clean water at their center, Mercy no longer has to walk far anymore - using up precious time from her day. She shared, “The clean water has brought happiness and excitement to us and the community around. We’re able to do irrigation farming and greenhouse farming, so there has been positive change in agriculture for us."
With clean water, girls like Mercy can reclaim their childhoods. They no longer have to spend hours each day fetching water, and they can focus on their education and enjoy their time with friends. "I feel so much healthier and happier now," she shared. Clean water has given Mercy more than just health – it has given her hope.
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