A Year Later: Adequate Food and Clean Water Helps Build a Brighter Future!

Fifty-one-year-old farmer Fatuma Musili recalled what life was like in the Makioni Community before her community's hand-dug well was installed last year.

"Getting water before the project was completed was a challenging task because I had to wake up early to fetch water from the distant, shallow well or scoop hole. I would spend about two hours to go and fetch water and return home, but the water was primarily used for cooking and drinking. I was also forced to take my cattle to the distant scoop hole, which consumed most of my time. It was difficult to perform other activities like farming because I got exhausted from the long journey, and the water was not enough to conduct any farming. We also suffered from poor hygiene because the water was not enough for washing clothes, utensils, or personal hygiene," said Fatuma.

Collecting water is now much simpler and quicker for Fatuma and the other community members in Makioni.

Fatuma waters her crops.

"My health has improved because I no longer spend most of my energy fetching water. The water point is very close to my home. I am able to focus on farming and reaping a good harvest that helps me feed my family. Therefore, we have good health because we have clean water to drink and food to eat," continued Fatuma.

Having ready access to water from the well has made a difference for Fatuma, allowing her to concentrate on growing additional food and improving her family's future with a more robust income. She also feels more secure physically and emotionally in her everyday life.

"I am not worried about safety when fetching water because this water point is very close to my home. I am no longer exposed to dangers such as harassment or raping when going to fetch water. I do not have to wake up very early. I can fetch water from this point anytime during the day," said Fatuma.

She continued, "I get enough water within a short time, which has helped me in performing hygiene duties, including personal hygiene. I am also able to get more time to prepare my land for better yields because I am not spending much time searching for water. I am planning to cultivate sweet potatoes near this point, that I will sell and get more income. I will be using water from this water point to irrigate them."