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: "It is safe to use this waterpoint..."
Mawia N., 14, recalled what life was like in Kanyoeni before her community’s well was implemented last year. "I used to struggle a lot to acquire water for drinking, cooking, bathing or even washing clothes because fetching water would take about 4 hours daily. Carrying jerrycans of water back home was very exhausting and I had little time to ...
A Year Later: "This waterpoint offers enough clean water."
Farmer and chairman of the water committee Mutua Musyemi, 48, recalled what life was like in Kanyoeni before his community’s sand dam was implemented last year. "Life in the past was difficult because [of the] semi-arid nature of our area. My wife and older children had to walk for about 2km (over a mile) to Thua River to draw water from the o...
A Year Later: "The water point has impacted my life positively."
Morgan W., 17, recalled what life was like in Masukutse Community before his community’s spring was protected last year. "The water point was open to contamination. Sometimes we could find a cat or a dog swimming inside the water point, which was so discouraging but we had to [use it] since there was no other water point," said Morgan. But ...
A Year Later: Less time to collect water!
Fred S., 12, recalled what life was like in Makhwabuye Community before his community’s spring was protected last year. "Life was hard because when the cows dirtied the water, I had to wait for the dirt to settle before I fetched. It was time-wasting on long queues as children were not allowed to fetch water before adults," said Fred. But l...
A Year Later: Time to Achieve Daily Tasks!
Hawanatu Kamara, 21, recalled what life was like in Kriema Kiamp before her community's well was rehabilitated last year. "Thank you for providing us [with] clean and safe drinking water. Before, we, the entire community, were in constraints for clean and safe water. Especially the women were struggling to do domestic activities, such as cooking...