Mohamed is grateful for clean water!

Farmer and Chairman of the Water User Committee Mohamed Kamara, seventy-seven, recalled what life was like in the Thawuya Community before his community’s well was implemented last year.

“Before this time, we were finding [it] very difficult to get clean water. At that time, all of the surrounding villages were also suffering from diarrhea and cholera. The place where we were getting water was too far, and that made me, as a religious leader, ask for help for safe drinking water. Sometimes you [could] meet a person defecating at the top of the river while you are getting water down [stream],” said Mohamed.

He continued, “At Mabendo during the time of farming, there was a well, and in that well, sometimes when [the] rain came, we [would] meet human [and] animal feces and snakes in the well. That is the same water we use to drink, [do] laundry, and [use] for domestic purposes. We were finding [it] difficult to hold ablution when it [was] time for prayer.”

Water is now safer for Mohamed and the other community members in Thawuya. With access to safe, clean water, their lives have improved in more ways than one!

“We thank God now because before this time, we were suffering greatly to get safe drinking water, and now we are very excited from the time you handed this water well to us. There’s no more diarrhea and cholera in this community and the surrounding villages. Our wives now use this safe drinking water for drinking, and we also use it for domestic purposes, laundry, holding ablution, and any water activities in our villages,” Mohamed said.

“I have achieved good things in my life from the time you handed over this water well. In Thawuya Village and the nearby villages, plenty of [us] complain[ed] of illnesses. Now I say thanks to you [for] coming and saving me from waterborne diseases,” said Mohamed.

Mohamed performs ablution with water from the well.

Having ready access to water from the well has made a difference for Mohamed, allowing him and his family to have plenty of water to meet their daily needs.

“My wife now cooks on time. Also, our children are now safe [and do] not [have] to go anywhere to get water. So I want to say plenty, plenty thanks to this team and appreciation for helping us in this village and the surrounding villages,” Mohamed concluded.