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: Growing Crops in the Dry Season!
"I used to move long distances to the open hole to fetch water. It was a tiresome process, as I had to fetch [water] several times [a day]," said 14-year-old Ester N., as she recalled what life was like before a well was installed in her community last year. She continued, "The water would be colored sometimes. The crowd at the open hole was big, ...
A Year Later: Ingenious Water Use Leads to Food!
Barack J., 13, recalled what life was like for him before his community's spring was protected last year. "I remember I could not drink directly from the source because of the conditions of where we used to fetch water from. I had to use a cup and during the heavy rainy seasons, I had to go boil water at home. Sometimes it became a challenge due to...
A Year Later: Improved Hygiene and Shorter Distances
Farmer Betty Bahemurwaki, 34, shared what life was like before her community had a new well installed last year. She said, "It was hard to get clean water for drinking because I had to move long distances in order to fetch clean water." But now that Betty and her fellow community members have access to the well, they can access clean water for al...
A Year Later: More Time for Studying and School!
Before the well was rehabilitated in 14-year-old Scovia's community of Ejinga Taosati last year, she would make several exhausting trips a day to the spring for water. "My school is located far from home, and whenever I would come back from school, I would go to the spring and make more than two trips while carrying the jerrycan on my head," said ...
A Year Later: Improved Grades and Less Illness!
Before Shisia Spring was protected last year, Francis, 13, used to hate collecting water. He said, "Most of the time, I used to boycott once I heard my mum talking about fetching water because it wasn't that easy to get water from this point. The major problem was how to access the water since there were no stairs, nor a clear passage to the sprin...