Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Fatmata. Since then, she and the Wusia Community of 103 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!
"Now I spend more time studying. This is because I now have easy access to safe water in my community. Most of my time will not be used again to fetch water from the swamp," said Fatmata.
Like many girls in Sierra Leone, 17-year-old Fatmata is responsible for collecting water to meet daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole her time and negatively affected her.
The swamp the community used before their well was installed.
Drinking the water caused severe consequences. Many in her community suffered from waterborne diseases that created health problems, affecting their daily lives. Limited accessibility also meant people wasted time collecting sufficient water to meet their needs. The difficult journey to collect water sapped their physical and emotional energy, creating roadblocks. For Fatmata, in particular, it made it challenging to stay healthy and focus on her education.
"Before this project was completed, I [did] not have access to safe drinking water. The swamp we used to fetch water from was far away from us. The distance alone reduces the trips I [could] make for the day. Most times, the water will be contaminated to drink, it was a problem. All this affected me," shared Fatamata.
Your generous gift last year was much more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement about your commitment to this community and Fatmata’s future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.
Fatmata (left).
Reliable and clean water lays the groundwork for improved health, education, and economic possibilities, allowing people to thrive. We frequently hear from those we interview that "water is life!"
We asked Fatmata if the hygiene training made a lasting impact. She said, "Yes because I saw the importance of food hygiene. I can still remember some of the ways the diseases can be transmitted through drinking and eating contaminated water and food."
A year ago, you made a difference for Fatmata and the rest of her community. This is just the first chapter of their story as access to clean water continues to improve their lives!
At The Water Project, we value sustainability and want to ensure that people continue to thrive. We commit to monitoring this project to ensure the water is always flowing and safe to consume. We inspect the system hardware, track water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water quality samples to identify risks. We work with our team on the ground to resolve them.
You gave Fatmata a crucial tool for achieving her dreams: access to clean water. Together, we can excitedly expect that with this precious resource, her enthusiasm and courage will help fulfill her dreams.
When asked what her dreams were, Fatmata shared, "I want to become a nurse."