In July 2010, Mary Ann Kanini who is living with HIV along with her daughter Cynthia told us about her expectations for Maji na Ufanisi’s project to improve Matopeni slum’s water and sanitation.
She has provided us with another entry to our Matopeni diary, telling us how her life has changed since work began.
March 2011
‘I have been running the salon since October. In December the work peaked so I hired two girls to help. But of course during December people wanted to look smart!
‘I used to do hair and I saved a little bit of money and from there I was able to open a salon nearby.’
Not only has Mary Ann’s business grown, but she has also seen her health improve in the last 12 months.
‘People from the other side of the slum used to pour away their water by my house. We used to experience lots of mosquitoes because of the water but now they pour it on their side and we don’t have them anymore.
'I am very pleased. I haven’t been sick in the last year. My youngest got a cold but nothing worse.’
Mary Ann has also noticed a difference in the way in which she and other members of Arise and Shine are viewed by the community since they successfully campaigned for support for the project.
‘Now they can see there is a drain outside their window and they have more respect for us.’ ‘When they bring water it will have a great impact because I won’t be fetching water from Majengo'
‘When they bring water it will have a great impact because I won’t be fetching water from Majengo'
Mary Ann looks forward to the project’s next stage which will connect Matopeni to clean water.
‘When they bring water it will have a great impact because I won’t be fetching water from Majengo. The water will just be within Matopeni,’ says Mary Ann.
‘I will be able to get more clients. When there is no water I’m forced to close my business. When there is water it will help and I won’t be losing business to the other salons.’
View our 'Faces of Matopeni' photo gallery.
