A Year Later: No Waiting and No Illnesses!

Before we protected the spring in Bukhakunga, people were plagued by water-related illnesses and time-eating queues at their water point.

For kids like 13-year-old Even, the queues were the worst problem, because they made fetching water take up most of their spare time.

"Adults could overtake children like me in the queue, and there was nothing I could do," Even said. "I had to wait until they are done so that I can fetch water. That was tiresome and time-wasting. Now, water is flowing fast from the discharge pipe. This makes me spend little time fetching water because there is no queuing like before."

The chairman of the local water user committee, Josphat, is most excited to see fewer medical expenses for his own family and those of his community members. "The water was exposed to agents of contamination like runoff water and siltation, which resulted in frequent water-related ailments," he said. "[We have] reduced or no spending seeking medications for water-related ailments. This has been as a result of the protection of the water point."

With more time and better health, the community members are improving their own lives, bit by bit.

"I have really improved in my school performance because I no longer waste time queuing for water," Even said. "I study most of the time."

Josphat, our field officer, and Even at the spring.