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: "I can testify that, really, life has changed."
Before we drilled a new borehole well at Kamuchisu Primary School last year, students carried water with them to school from whatever source was easiest. This questionable water infected students and staff with debilitating illnesses. And even with a full jerrycan from each student, the water was never enough to serve all the school's needs. "Duri...
A Year Later: "We no longer fear sending our children to fetch water."
"Before the protection of spring, we had to queue because the community members had just improvised a pipe to help them draw water, but a lot of water [was] diverted, leading to low discharge and overcrowding at the spring," said 79-year-old farmer Charles Oponyo. But now, the construction at Obuya Spring captures all that once-diverted water, fil...
A Year Later: "I now love my school."
"[The] accessibility of water was a challenge in our school," said 11-year-old student Susan C. "This forced us [to] go out of the school compound to fetch water for use." Susan continued: "At the water point, we were forced to queue so as to access water, and this was indeed tiresome for me. In the morning hours, students would carry water from h...
A Year Later: Unity Amongst the Community!
Before we protected Mulenje Spring, it was very difficult for Indulusia's community members to fetch water. "A small pipe was placed in one of the eyes of the spring," said 29-year-old farmer Gloria. "That being the case, the discharge speed was very low, forcing us to overstay at the spring." The long time spent fetching water meant people waiti...
A Year Later: A Dream Realized
"It was so hard getting water, especially during the dry seasons since the demand was so high and people used to be inconsiderate with the water," said 14-year-old Felix M. when describing what life was like before his community's spring was protected last year. But things have changed for Felix since then. "Water is now easily available and acce...