A Year Later: Better Health and Improved Relationships!

Before we protected Reuben Endeche Spring last year, procuring water was an everyday struggle for Brian. His family had a hand-dug well that failed to yield water for most of the year, so he was left dunking jerrycans at the unprotected spring, collecting nearly as much dirt as water.

"Getting water was not that easy for me, despite the fact that we had hand dug well, which, most of the time, could get dry, forcing me to walk several kilometers just to get water," said 16-year-old Brian S.

Now, though, all Brian has to do is place his container beneath the water's flow.

"Getting water is so easy and quick," Brian said. "I spend [a] minimum [amount of] time acquiring water for drinking and also for other domestic use. Water [is] also available in plenty at any time of need, and also, the availability of the stairs has made the accessibility to be even more easy. And the land it stands on is so spacious, too."

David Munialo (66), the chairperson of the local water user committee, feels great pride in the spring and the collaborative effort it represents. "I feel motivated and [like] a hero when I walk around because of the great vision we achieved together in joining hands. I always narrate stories to my grandchildren [about] how we used to draw water, and they laugh. We have really improved and reduced water contamination from [the] source to [the] final destination."

Brian said the spring even improved relationships within the community. "[The spring] has created a better bond between me and my grandmother, whereby she no longer struggles getting water because I get her water within a short time whenever she requests it, thus creating [a] good relationship. Secondly, [I have] been able to plant flowers around, which I also water frequently, thus beautifying our home."