A Year Later: Water for a Health Center and the Community!

Marvelous Tucker, 41, recalled what life was like as the Director of Petifu Junction Health Post before his community health post's (CHP) well was rehabilitated last year.

"Running the health facility was difficult as a result of the water constraints. The health facility did not have an existing well (that was operational). So, we used to fetch water from a community well. The sad thing is that the well was not always at our disposal. This situation made us suffer as the administration of certain drugs and even cleaning of the CHP was hard to do," said Marvelous.

Collecting water is now much simpler and more efficient for Marvelous.

"Now that the project is completed, I'm able to carry out my work as a community health officer. Rendering treatment to patients is not difficult to do as water is now available for use," said Marvelous.

Marvelous pumping water from the well.

"I can now practice hand washing due to [the] availability of water. Especially after giving treatment to patients. This alone will prevent me from getting diseases that can easily be transmitted from person to person," continued Marvelous.

Having ready access to water from the well has made a difference for Marvelous personally as well. He lives in staff quarters on the health center grounds, so now he has sufficient water to care for his daily needs, too.

"Similarly, we now have enough water to use daily in the health facility quarters. I count this as a blessing to me. Since I'm able to address a lot of things at home (my quarters). Also, the well has helped me to save money. Because I am no longer buying bundles of packet water for drinking," concluded Marvelous.

Community members who use the health center's well are also grateful!

"Now that the project is completed, I am no longer standing in queues to fetch water. Neither do I have difficulties to fetch water during the dry season as the well at the health facility is not seasonal. [It] always has water for us to fetch," shared 14-year-old Isatu T.

"I now have enough time to fetch water and do my household chores before going to school. Also, I am now able to help my mum when she is cooking because water [is] available at home since the water I had fetched in the morning will serve us for [the] day," Isatu said.

Isatu fills a hand washing station at the clinic.

Right now, there are others in neighboring communities that desperately need safe water access. Your support will immediately go to work to provide a clean water project - and we can't wait to introduce you to the next person you'll help.