A Year Later: Accessible Water Allows Time to Study and Rest!

Tabitha, 13, recalled what life was like in the Makioni Community before her community's sand dam was installed last year.

"Fetching water was a difficult and tiresome ordeal because I had to spend most of [my] time fetching water. For instance, during holidays, weekends, after classes, or any time that I was not in school. The water point was also very far from my home, and I could return home feeling exhausted and unable to focus on my studies. Water at home would also run out, leaving us with no water to drink," shared Tabitha.

"Fetching water was a daily affair, and my parents would send me to fetch water whenever I was home. When the current sources dried up, I had to go to Kamuwongo Market Center to fetch water at a fee. Kamuwongo is several kilometers away, and I would return home feeling very tired. The water was also not enough for washing my clothes or even conducting personal hygiene," continued Tabitha.

Collecting water is now simpler and less time-consuming for Tabitha and the other community members in Makioni.

"I am now able to get enough water to perform my personal hygiene, and I now attend my classes with [a] clean uniform. I am no longer drinking water from scoop holes, which caused stomach aches and diarrhea. The clean water from this water point is enough to quench my thirst and does not expose me to infections. I am able to quench my thirst any time during the day because this water point is very close to my home. I am not worried about the safety of the water because this water is clean, and I have not contracted any infections, unlike before it was constructed," said Tabitha.

Having ready access to water from the sand dam has made a difference for Tabitha, allowing her to collect water quickly that she can trust to not make her ill, so she has time and energy for learning and being a young girl.

Tabitha.

"My grades have improved because I no longer spend most of [my] time fetching water. I am able to do my homework every day. I hope to study hard and get better grades so that I can get a good job in [the] future," Tabitha said.

"The community has been able to plant trees and are irrigating their trees using water from this water point. The residents also spend little time fetching water, and most of the homesteads have been kept clean because they have enough time and energy," Tabitha concluded.