As we work to provide water, we're committed to helping people like you meet your global neighbors and to realize that we all share the same basic needs. We hope to break down stereotypes and the false distinctions between the so-called winners and losers, rich and poor, the needy and charitable, by introducing you to the people we serve with the respect and admiration they rightfully deserve.
These are stories of hope, told in the words of those who carry out this work every day - our friends in the field.
Dora M., 17, recalled what life was like at AIC Mavindini Girls Secondary School before her school’s rain tank was installed last year. "Initially, we experienced a lot of challenges pertaining [to] water. We could bring water with us to school," said Dora. "Our hygiene and sanitation were compromised. [The] lack of water made us skip some day...
Faith I., 12, recalled what life was like at Givole Primary School before her school’s well was installed last year. "It was very hard because we used to go for water outside the school compound to a stream which is quite a distance from [our] school. It was so tiresome, and fetching water after rains [made] the footpath to the stream very sli...
Edwin T., 13, recalled what life was like in Bulima-Kahembe before his community’s well was implemented last year. "I used to walk [a] long distance of about 1.5 km (nearly a mile) to another village, Rubona, and [it] would take me more than two hours. Also, during [the] dry season, sometimes there would be a lot of struggling in getting water...
Thirty-two-year-old trader Fatima Turay recalled what life was like in Kamayea before her community’s well was rehabilitated last year. "[I was] born and grew up in Kamayea. Before, we must get water from the swamp, and that was challenging for us to do. It was very difficult to complete domestic activities, such as cooking, trading, and laund...
Susan I., 15, recalled what life was like in Iyala Community before her community’s spring was protected last year. "Fetching water was difficult, especially when it rained. There was water everywhere [in] this place. The source was open, and we fetched using tins. Everyone carried his tin from home, so some were dirty. Some people could wash ...