There’s something special about returning to a place where transformation has already begun. When our Maji Zima team first installed a water filter at MCK Ntharene, we knew the impact would be significant. Located in a vibrant, close-knit community, this institution plays a vital role in shaping young minds and protecting young lives. And like many rural schools and community hubs in Kenya, access to clean, safe drinking water was once a persistent challenge, one that came with serious health consequences.
We returned to MCK Ntharene to conduct a post-installation survey and routine maintenance. What we found warmed our hearts and affirmed our mission in more ways than one.
A Warm Welcome and a Healthy Report
From the moment we stepped back onto the compound, we were greeted with warmth not just in smiles and handshakes, but in the stories and updates we received. The staff and teachers at MCK Ntharene shared how the water filter has continued to serve them faithfully, providing clean drinking water to the children and staff.
“We’ve seen a significant drop in waterborne diseases,” The teacher in charge told us. “Cases of diarrhoea and stomach upsets have gone down drastically, and we believe the filter has played a big role in that.”
This statement alone was enough to encourage our hearts. Clean water is more than a basic need, it’s the foundation for health, learning, and dignity. The MS-MZ filter system we installed is making that foundation stronger every day.
Maintenance and Monitoring: Keeping the Filter in Top Shape
Our visit wasn’t just about hearing the good news, it was also an opportunity to ensure the filter was functioning optimally. One of the key components we checked was the backwash pump, which helps clean out sediment and impurities that accumulate inside the filter over time.
We noticed that the pump needed some lubrication to function smoothly. Thankfully, our technician was on hand to do just that. With a few careful adjustments and some much-needed maintenance, the pump was back in good condition. We also performed a full backwash cycle, flushing out any accumulated particles and restoring the filter’s efficiency.
This step is part of our long-term commitment to sustainability. We don’t just drop off equipment and walk away. We believe in empowering our partners to own, operate, and maintain the technology we install.
To our delight, the team at MCK Ntharene had already done a commendable job. The filter area was well-maintained, and it was clear that they had taken our training seriously. Their ownership and care ensured that the filter remained in great shape, a testament to what happens when communities are given tools alongside trust and training.
Children Learning About Water Safety
As we carried out our inspection, something caught our attention: the sounds of learning, laughter, and engagement coming from a nearby classroom. It turned out that the children were in the middle of a water safety lesson. It’s difficult to put into words just how deeply that moment touched us.
Here, were children not just drinking clean water, but learning how to value it, conserve it, and protect themselves and their families from waterborne illnesses. Education is a powerful tool, and when it intersects with practical WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) efforts, it creates lasting change.
Water safety isn’t just about technology, it’s about behaviour, culture, and community. Watching the next generation being equipped with this knowledge reminded us that true change is multi-dimensional.
Empowering Educators: A Refresher in Filter Operation
Before we left, we made sure to spend time with one of the teachers present that day. Even though they were already familiar with the filter system, we took the opportunity to offer a refresher training, walking through the steps of operating, cleaning, and monitoring the MS-MZ unit.
Our philosophy is simple: people matter more than machines. And that means ensuring every individual who interacts with our systems understands how they work and why they matter.
The training was hands-on, friendly, and collaborative. We addressed any questions the teacher had and shared some additional tips on maximising the life of the filter and responding to any minor issues that might arise in the future.
By the time we wrapped up, the teacher was confident and ready, equipped not just with a working filter but with the knowledge to keep it working for months to come.
Sustained Impact Through Simple Solutions
At Maji Zima, we often say that clean water is just the beginning, and our experience at MCK Ntharene was a beautiful example of that: A simple filter system has significantly reduced waterborne illnesses; Teachers and staff are proactively maintaining the unit with care; Students are learning life-saving information about water and health; The community is becoming more resilient, one day at a time.
All of this, because someone cared enough to say, “Clean water matters here.”
Partnership and Promise
As we said our goodbyes and packed up our tools, there was a shared sense of gratitude, but also of forward motion. Our work isn’t finished. We will continue to check in, continue to listen, and continue to refine how we support communities like Ntharene. But for now, we left something behind that will continue to flow, clean, safe water, and the quiet confidence that it brings.
Every child at MCK Ntharene deserves to thrive. Thanks to clean water, committed educators, and a little backwash maintenance, they’re one step closer to doing just that. Water changes everything, and with each visit, each filter, each conversation, we’re reminded: the ripple effect of safe water is bigger than we’ll ever know.
