Access to Clean Water Empowers Rugiatu to Provide for Her Family!

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Rugiatu. Since then, she and the Malena Community of 200 residents have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"I am very happy to have clean water now. I no longer fear getting sick from dirty water because the well is clean, and I trust the water it provides. I can drink water anytime of the day, and because the well is near my house, I no longer have to walk along bushy roads to fetch water from the swamp," said Rugiatu Kamara.

Before the Well Rehabilitation

Like many women in Sierra Leone, 41-year-old Rugiatu Kamara 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 previous water source.

Drinking the water caused severe consequences. Many in the 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 Rugiatu, in particular, it lessened her opportunity to meet her daily obligations and care for her family.

"It was quite difficult to get water, especially from the swamp. Our village's water well was unable to provide water every year as its level lowered or the well simply dried up. I had to walk long distances to bring water from the swamp wells. This water shortage affected my day-to-day activities, particularly the small business I undertake to sustain myself. Because of the water shortage, I had to restrict washing clothes, bathing, and cooking food for my family," said 41-year-old trader Rugiatu Kamara.

Since the Well Rehabilitation

Your generous gift last year was much more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement about your commitment to this community and Rugiatu’s future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

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!"

"Having access to clean water is life to me because clean water gives life. I prefer drinking clean water as it is good for my health. Clean water will also prevent me from getting ill. If I remain healthy, I will be able to move around and perform my day-to-day activities in order to earn a living. I am also able to be in a position to take good care of my family, mostly my children," said Rugiatu.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Rugiatu 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 system hardware, monitor water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water-quality samples to identify risks. We work with our on-the-ground team to resolve them.

You gave Rugiatu 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 her fulfill her dreams.

"Since the completion of this water well, I have been able to fetch enough water to accomplish all my domestic work, run my business, and achieve good sales daily. I am also able to clean my house and sanitation facilities properly," said Rugiatu.

She continued: "My children now have adequate water in the mornings and can go to school on time. My greatest desire is to see my children finish school and make a success of their lives. That's why I am working a lot to fund their education and guide them on the right path. It's not simple because opportunities are limited, but I believe that if I apply myself hard enough and [I] am determined, then this desire can be true."