Rose and her husband, Bonface, were happily married with four children. Bonface worked in Nairobi until he started to struggle with mental illness. He was laid off and had to return to their home in Makueni. Rose shouldered many responsibilities to keep her family going. She says, “I was left all alone to provide for the family.” She hardly has time to do casual labor, farm, and keep chickens. Rose earns only $3 each week, making it difficult to cover the school fees for her sons and daughters. Finding water has been one of the heaviest burdens. Rose walks for water six hours a day, six days a week. Her children also walk. The river water they collect is polluted and causes health problems. 

Since 2019, Rose has been a member of Twaweza Yinthungu Women’s Group. She has learned how to earn money and improve her hygiene and gained social support. Seeing the challenges Rose faces as a mother, the group decided she should receive this gift tank. Bonface worked hard alongside members of the 2023 Work Team to build a base for the new tank. Rose was happy to see her husband doing so well and told him repeatedly how proud she was of him. 

Work Team volunteers remember how joyful Rose was and how exuberant she was upon receiving this tank. Now that the rains have come, the tank will have a big impact on Rose and her family. Instead of walking for water, Rose will be able to work more and improve her farming. She hopes to expand her poultry farming and start keeping goats, as well. Her daughters will be able to attend school instead of helping her walk for water. Rose is grateful for this project and looks forward to a brighter future for her family.