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: Dreams of University!
Abigael N., a 13-year-old student at St. Martin's Primary School, shared the challenges she faced collecting water before her school had a rain tank installed last year. "It was very hard to get water since the distance was so long, hence a lot of time [was] wasted in getting water rather than studying. At times, we could go [to] collect water but...
A Year Later: Teacher Now Loves His Work!
Before we installed a rain tank at Mwembe Primary School, the entire school relied on students carrying water from home for all of the school’s drinking, cooking, and cleaning needs. And even though sourcing water every day was exhausting for the students, the school still never had enough water for all of its needs. "We used to drink dirty wate...
A Year Later: More Time for Mathematics!
When we asked 13-year-old Addison what life was like before Itieng'ere Primary School had a rain tank installed last year, he said: "Before, to get water was so challenging, because I had to look for water most of [the] time, thereby wasting a lot of time, thus leading me to poor academic performance." Addison continued, "Sometimes, I was coming b...
A Year Later: "Nobody has buried a child."
As the village headman and chairperson of the community's water user committee, 60-year-old Mohamed Kamara remembers all too well what life in Masinneh was like before their well was rehabilitated last year. "It was a great constraint for me and my people in this community," Mohamed said. "Over the years, we used to have cholera outbreaks in this...
A Year Later: "I drink water anytime I feel thirsty"
We asked 12-year-old student Pauline what it was like to collect water before we installed a well at Ibokolo Primary School last year. "Getting water was very tiresome for us. This affected us both mentally and physically, resulting [in a] lack of concentration in class, hence poor performance," said Pauline. "We could spend the whole day without ...