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: Adequate Water for People, Plants, and Animals!
Before we installed the sand dam and shallow well in Syonzale Community, obtaining water for everyone's activities was a constant struggle. "We had to walk for about two kilometers searching for water from the rivers, which was exhausting and time-consuming," said 13-year-old student John M. "This negatively affected my academic performance since...
A Year Later: Improved Food Security and Health!
Before we installed the sand dam and shallow well in Syonzale, life for community members involved a lot of struggle. “We experienced a lot of water scarcity issues such as long walks to the river and time wastage because we could spend most of the day searching for water," recalled 53-year-old Mbitha Mwende, the chairperson of the community's W...
A Year Later: Academic Performance Soars!
Faith M., a 14-year-old student at Mang'uu Primary Boarding School, described her struggles before her school's rain tank was installed last year. "The water bought by the school was insufficient; thus, most of us were left thirsty throughout the day." She continued, "We also hardly cleaned our classrooms, dormitories, and latrines because of the ...
A Year Later: Freedom At Last!
Before Polloth's well was rehabilitated, Isatu suffered finding water. "I was not feeling good, especially when we had a pump that dried up in the dry season—the time that everybody need water most," Isatu said. "Fetching water was a great job for girls like me, and walking very early in the morning to [the] swamp to fetch water, and going back...
A Year Later: "I can achieve a lot with this water."
We asked 47-year-old Regina Mumbua what life was like before we completed the sand dam and hand-dug well projects in her community. “Life was very hard because we would hustle a lot for water," Regina said. "At times, one would spend the night in search of water only to fetch a jerrycan of 20 liters. A child would miss school whenever the paren...