In 2012 the Salters' Charitable Foundation very kindly supported the Wendano Wa Kithyululu self-help group by match funding their grant with that from one of our other loyal supporters, Foundation Ensemble.

"This place will not be bare soil. We will grow vegetables here."

Joyce Wayua, a member of the Wendano wa Kithyululu self-help group supported by Salters' Charitable Foundation.

Vicky Chant, the foundation's Charities Development Manager, said: “We are delighted our support has helped to secure matched funding from other funders. Through our support for Sand Dams Worldwide’s sand dam, and food & and water security programme, we are proud to have played a role in helping communities in some of the most arid and drought-stricken areas of Kenya to transform their own environments and livelihoods.”

Sand Dams Worldwide's approach

Water shortage and desertification are serious challenges facing dryland communities in this region, but making radical change doesn’t mean we use a complex approach.

One of the attractions of SDW’s approach is the overall simplicity of sand dams and our development model. This is a factor many of our loyal donors, like Salters' Charitable Foundation, greatly appreciate.

Vicky said: “We  have been impressed and inspired by SDW’s simple yet highly effective model that radically improves the lives of individuals, families and communities in need.”

Retaining water, releasing potential

The foundation's generous support enabled the Wendano wa Kithyululu self-help group to build a sand dam - bringing water within 30 minutes of their homes and creating hope and opportunity for the future.

Mary Peter, a member of the Wendano wa Kithyululu self-help group, said: "My life will totally change, I will no longer be going to River Athi to fetch water because I will have water in the sand dam. We will grow vegetables and I will stop buying vegetables from Athi which is very far."

Another self-help group member, Joyce Wayua, said: "This place will not be bare soil. We will grow vegetables here."