Stories from the Field
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.
A Year Later: Trusted Water Throughout the School Calendar
Last year, students at Friends Mudindi Village Primary School spent more time fetching water than in class. "Water shortage was a great challenge in our school," said 10-year-old Ive M. "Every day, in the morning, break time, and evening, we used to take time to go fetch water out of the school compound. We used to scramble for the commodity, as w...
A Year Later: "I look forward to coming to school every day."
Before we installed a rain tank at Mutave Primary School last year, fetching water was dangerous to the students for multiple reasons. Not only did the pupils need to cross a busy highway to access the stream, but the stream's water would end up infecting them with debilitating illnesses. "Students used to walk across the road to a nearby stream t...
A Year Later: Money Wasted Turned to Savings!
Before we protected the spring in Malimali, animals around the spring would contaminate the water, making community members sick. "Sometimes, [the] water could be dirtified by cows which were tied to graze near the water point," explained 30-year old farmer Snowrin Khavai, who also serves as secretary of the local water user committee. "This is be...
A Year Later: "We easily get water."
Before we installed a rain tank at St. Kizito Shihingo Primary School, students had to leave the school grounds to collect water from an unprotected stream. Not only did drinking this water make students sick, but going to the stream kept students out of class and exposed them to dangerous snake attacks. "We fetched water from a passing stream for...
A Year Later: "I am happy with the water I am fetching."
Before Aloice Chiedo Spring was protected, community members had to balance on stones laid in the spring to fetch water. Sometimes community members would fall and injure themselves. Every day, it meant there were lines of people waiting for their turn to fetch water, which wasted everyone's time. And, even worse: the spring's water hurt anyone who...