A Year Later: More Time and Better Income!

Before we rehabilitated the well in Kinenabwere Kasamba, people had to walk far distances to a neighboring community's well, and the well didn't always have water to give. People were desperate for water, which made collecting it hard for kids like 12-year-old Kevin.

"Whenever my parents would send me to collect water, I would [take too much time], and this earned me several punishments," Kevin said. "Besides, the elder boys would fight us and even steal our jerrycans. This made me hate going to the water point to collect water."

But since we rehabilitated the water point in Kinenabwere Kasamba, Kevin doesn't have to walk as far or wait in lines, making the chore so much easier.

"The water point is nearer and easily accessible," Kevin said. "Even when I come back from school, [I] am able to access the source and collect water for bathing without any struggles, since [the] people are always few."

Easy access to water has lightened the burden on everyone in the community.

"I have enough time to concentrate on my business at the trading center," said 30-year-old shopkeeper, Elizabeth. "Besides, I no longer lock my shop like before, but leave it open so that when I rush to collect water, I find my customers waiting for me, since they know I will not delay at the water point. [I] get back to serve them in time. My sales at the shop [have] increased, and [I] am able to realize better profits."

With more time at his disposal, Kevin has been able to focus on more things that are important to him.

"I plan to concentrate more on my studies now that we have access to a functional water source closer to home," Kevin said. "[I] also support my parents in projects that will help raise money towards my school fees."

Kevin at the well.