A Year Later: Accessibility is the Song of the Community

"Before the completion of the [protected] spring, the spring was open to contamination, which was risky to the community members," said 20-year-old tailor, Esther Maongo. "Typhoid was the song [of] the community."

Before its protection last year, Govet Lumbasi Spring constantly infected its community members with water-related diseases. And during the rainy seasons, the surrounding area was always slick with mud.

"It was hard to fetch water after school because the place was slippery," said 7-year old Elly O.

But now, Shianda's people no longer suffer from waterborne illnesses, and accessing the spring is always easy no matter the weather.

"It is easier now to access water from the spring because of the stairs," Esther said. "I can get water anytime I feel like [it]."

"I take [only a] few seconds to fetch water from the spring," Elly said. "It is easy to access. After school, I take my bath on time, which enables me to do my homework on time."

Esther collects water at the spring.