Benet's Story

Benet is a 17-year-old Maasai boy living in the vast and remote Maasai Mara in Kenya, one of the most famously beautiful places on Earth. It's also where indigenous people live in abject poverty. Two years ago when Benet was still not quite five feet tall, his ragged cough, worn face, dimly lit eyes and spindly legs were evidence of his serious illness.

In Benet's community, like so many others, water for drinking and cooking is collected at a distant waterhole-the same source in which people bathe, wash clothes and water their cattle. Benet suffered from typhoid and other preventable diseases because of this water supply.

Today, Benet is much healthier and happier, thanks to the clean water system and nutritious meal program established by Free The Children at his school. He is strong, bright and active, and studies every day with an intense energy and enthusiasm. Benet now dreams of being a tour guide so he can show off his beautiful country and teach people from around the world how simple solutions can make a world of difference.

Free The Children's water and sanitation projects install wells, clean water and sanitation systems in communities where schools have been built to help prevent disease and illness.