A Year Later: Garden Helps with School Fees!

Esther Akasa, a 19-year-old in Bukhakunga, shared what life was like before the community's spring was protected last year. "It was so hectic getting water, especially being the firstborn child in my family. I could go a long distance to collect water to be used by my family in activities such as cooking [and] drinking among many more since my siblings were so young and could not go fetch water by themselves."

Esther said, "The water point has been a very big blessing to me."

Since the spring's protection, things have been different for Esther.

"I no longer walk a long distance to collect water, but rather just use a short time to fetch the water. [I] prepare meals early enough, thus [there is] time recovered [that] I use in completing my assignments since I am a day scholar in a nearby secondary school. [I] have managed to improve on my academics since most of the time I use in reading."

She continued, "And [I] also have managed to set up a small garden [where] I grow vegetables and fruits since watering them has never been a challenge because the water source is very reliable. I later sell the vegetables and fruits using the money acquired to pay part of school requirements, hence reducing the burden experienced by my parents when it comes to school fees."