A Year That Strengthened Us: The Well Aware Kenya Team Story

The year 2025 brought unexpected changes that many had not forecasted. The nonprofit sector faced three significant difficulties as funding decreased, international priorities shifted, and organizations worldwide fought for survival. Well Aware has encountered funding fluctuations in the past; however, the current year presented an exceptional situation, marked by a delay in some new projects. However, we achieved an unexpected outcome during this period of instability and uncertainty.

Across the teams that form the core of Well Aware’s operations in Kenya- Hydro, Engineering, Operations & Management, and Community, a new type of strength began to develop amongst the muck. The teams established an unobtrusive yet effective opposition through subtle methods, achieving our desired results. The power operated at a deep level, functioning in a way that builds water’s strength as it moves through rock formations.

The Engineering Team

The Engineering Team experienced a complete transformation during this year. Eng. Dennis spent most of his time walking communities through design work, construction oversight, and water system activation, but he ended up in uncharted territory. The reduced funding led to shorter field operations, which extended project durations and required more time to leave equipment in place—the seven years of his service had never brought him this kind of challenge.

“2025 asked for patience in the silence—strength in uncertainty. And resilience when progress felt painfully slow,” he reflected, a truth that shaped the entire team.

But the pauses did not weaken the work — they sharpened it. The team used resources to improve project standards and documentation, develop software applications and sustainability plans, maintain and improve existing water systems, and conduct comprehensive reviews of system components to ensure long-term reliability of the already implemented water systems. The team delivered significant results through their work, including improved water distribution for the Kahuho, Maisuyati, and Nyakio communities, a revolutionary rainwater-harvesting system at Matheani Primary, and a complete Tanzanian project managed remotely.

The Hydro Team

With reduced funding and our priority being on our 140 partner communities, the Hydro Team experienced an unprecedented year, to say the least. The team usually performs active duties, which include drilling supervision, hydro surveys, pump tests, and continuous travel through dusty environments. Still, this time around, the Hydro Team got to spend their time analyzing data on screens because they needed to add to the organization’s technical foundation.

“This year taught us strength, purpose, and patience — the kind that builds you the way a good grouting job strengthens a borehole wall,” they shared.

Even with limited activity and reduced compensation, their unity became their anchor. The team achieved their objectives through improved workflow management, the creation of a new reporting template, optimized resource allocation, and successful partnership development with a new organization. They proved their strength by keeping operations running without interruption during the reduction in field activities.

The Operations Team

At the organizational level, the Operations and Management Team faced realities that even the most seasoned leaders found shocking. Organizations faced increased difficulty obtaining resources due to worldwide funding and supply chain constraints. The amount of humanitarian assistance decreased dramatically in this region. While all this was happening, Well Aware had to make difficult decisions because it was operating under such difficult circumstances.

“Amid this uncertainty, while many nonprofits shut their doors — Well Aware held its ground with remarkable grit and unwavering determination,” the team wrote.

It wasn’t easy. Multiple requests from communities had to be put on hold. Scaling down operations became necessary. At one point, it seemed inevitable that half the Kenyan staff would be lost — a moment that felt like looking over the edge of something too heavy to comprehend. But instead of breaking, the team held together through transparency, shared sacrifice, and unwavering commitment. Every team member stayed. Every existing project continued. And the promise to maintain a 100% project success rate remains unshaken. Even in scarcity, the organization chose integrity over expansion — ensuring every community already served continued to receive reliable, safe water.

The Community Team

All the teams based their decisions and work on the well-being of the communities they served throughout this year. The Community Team was affected as well. The team experiences their usual happiness by interacting with children at partner schools and by witnessing positive change at the community level. They had to reduce their travel activities, which made it harder for them to witness changes and capture happy moments with the communities.

“My heart sank seeing kids walking barefoot to school… but their resilience moved me deeply,” one team member shared after visiting Matheani.

From this, the team understood that their mission must continue because of the essential work. The new water supplies in Matheani, Mutune, Maisuyati, Lormeuti, Kahuho, and Nyakio are now operational, marking multiple triumphs over the numerous attempts to halt progress this year.

One story from the Community Team rose above the rest — a couple, the Walton’s, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary not with a vacation or a party, but by fundraising to drill a well for the people of Muthiga. They traveled to Kenya, stayed with the community, learned from them, and gave with humility, leaving a lasting mark.

“They don’t know this yet, but I’ll be acknowledging them in my thesis,” a Well Aware team member shared — a testament to the depth of their impact.

We Came Out Stronger.

All team members discovered the same core truth, which emerged from their collective struggles and experiences, that people build resilience during times of uncertainty rather than during stable periods. The communities showed us unwavering patience in their waiting. Many donors and supporters demonstrated their trust in our team and our mission by stepping up. The obstacles required us to redefine our self-discipline, and the silence exposed our authentic selves by revealing our behavior amid these serious obstacles.

Our entire operation faced its most challenging year yet, but the year brought us opportunities that strengthened our core beliefs. Well Aware will achieve its 2026 goals through improved operational systems, enhanced workflow efficiency, stronger team bonds, and a more defined mission direction.

Well Aware maintains its mission throughout every difficult circumstance, and we will ensure our communities continue to exist. Thank you for your support. It truly is the difference between life and death for thousands in East Africa. We are honored to continue serving these communities.