A Year Later: A Responsible Girl

Before we helped Kyamwalye Community construct a sand dam and shallow well in their community, water was scarce, and people had to travel long distances to get it.

"Getting water was not easy," said 11-year-old Mirriam W. "The water was always being obtained from far distances, most of the time it [was] my mum and my elder siblings who were involved in the process of looking for water. Sometimes it would take them [a] long [time], and they [would come] back home tired."

But now, water is much closer to the people in this community, and with reliable access to water, almost every aspect of life becomes easier to improve.

"Water has been brought closer to our home through this water project," Mirriam said. "It is easily accessible, and [the source] always has [had] water for the last one year. Having water closer home has led me to assist my parents in getting water home after school in the evenings. I am also cleaner because there is plenty of water at home."

And it's not only Mirriam's hygiene that's improved.

"I have been learning on how to wash my clothes and assist Mum in cleaning utensils using the water," Mirriam said. "This was not possible in the past because water had to be rationed. By learning these skills, [I] am growing up as a responsible girl who participates in house chores while also maintaining high standards of personal hygiene."