Stories from the Field
As we work to provide water, we're committed to helping people like you meet your global neighbors and to realize that we all share the same basic needs. We hope to break down stereotypes and the false distinctions between the so-called winners and losers, rich and poor, the needy and charitable, by introducing you to the people we serve with the respect and admiration they rightfully deserve.
These are stories of hope, told in the words of those who carry out this work every day - our friends in the field.
Kathonzweni Community
"Before the sand dam/shallow well project was established in this region, water scarcity was a great challenge to us. We would have to walk long distances to fetch water at open sources (scoop holes), which were very difficult for us. The task was harder for the locals without donkeys as they had to borrow donkeys or fetch one jerrycan of water and...
Kala Community
"It was very difficult getting water before this project was completed. We would rely on water from scoop holes, which often made us sick; stomach aches, typhoid, and diarrhea were very rampant. It was also very time consuming to fetch water at this water point as there was no time to play," shared 12-year-old Dannis M. "Now, getting water is easy...
Kala Community
"Initially, water scarcity was a really great challenge experienced in this region. We used to rely on water from scoop holes, an open water source. As a result, many diseases were contracted, such as typhoid, cholera, stomach upsets, and diarrhea. Often, we would sleep at the river beds waiting to fetch water because the water table was very low, ...
Kakuswi Community
Life was very hard before. We used to fetch water at Mangau River, which is about four kilometers from my homestead. During the dry season, the river would dry out, and we had to dig very deep scoop holes to get water. There were very long queues at the water source, which would take up almost the whole day for one to be reached to fetch water. At ...
Kakuswi Community
"Initially, there were very few reliable water sources for the locals of this area. We would all depend on one source, which was always crowded, and we had to dig scoop holes to get water. Out of respect, if you arrived at the water source and found elders, you had to wait for them to fetch first then proceed. This was somewhat difficult for us. Su...