A Year Later: Hopeful for the Future!

Memunatu B., 13, shared the water challenges she faced daily before rehabilitating the well at her school. "We used to find it difficult when we wanted to use the toilet and when we wanted to drink water. I had to bring water from my house to school, but it was not enough because my friends who did not have [the] opportunity to have a one-liter rubber (bottle) took it from me, and I had no choice than to share with them whatever little that was available."

She continued, "Life was like hell in the school and also [in the] community. Sometimes I asked God, 'what am I doing here?' But those questions [did not] change [my] circumstances."

But now, with access to clean water anytime, things look more hopeful for her. "I am so happy that I have pure drinking water in this school for the first time since the establishment of the school. Since I started schooling here, for six years now, because I am in class six, this is the first time we have [had] access to a hand pump. Sometimes my eyes could not believe if this [was] really us enjoying drinking pure water."

"My plans and goals are to focus on my education, and when I grow up, I will help provide clean drinking water in all these communities," said Memunatu.