Case studies
An opportunity for growth
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| Ikognane, the vice president of a group of kitchen gardeners from Mohairiry in Madagascar. |
| Credit: WaterAid / Jeremy Horner |
Ikognane, the vice president of a group of kitchen gardeners from Mohairiry in Madagascar describes the differences that the water project has brought to her community.
"Before the well we had no kitchen garden. Before the well was installed there wasn't anything you could eat on this bit of land there just wasn't enough rain to make things grow. We still don't have the rain, but now at least we can water the plants ourselves. Fifteen people work here now.
The great thing is that, now we have a garden we are able to eat a much greater variety of vegetables than before rather than just manioc, which means we are eating a more varied diet. It is much healthier than before - we know our families will be healthier. We also sell some of our vegetables so make some money in that way too."
Out from the depths
Nakwetikya from Ndedo, Tanzania, used to have to collect the scarce water available, polluted with animal and human waste, from the bottom of deep and dangerous hand-dug pits. Sickness and deaths were common. But life changed with the WaterAid project.
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| Nakwetikya, a Masai woman, collects water. |
| Credit: WaterAid / Alex Macro |
"The situation here used to be bleak," she explains. "There was no water and we had to dig pits to find some. Can you imagine what it was like? My legs used to shake with fear before climbing down those holes. There was no choice. If I didn't get water my family couldn't eat, wash or even have a drink.
When I heard that we were going to get clean water I remember laughing, it was so funny. I can only compare it to someone who is in prison for a long time. When they are set free it's the most fantastic experience.
Since having the new water source life has changed in so many amazing ways. My status as a woman has been finally recognised. I have the time to look after my family as we have more time and energy.
Before we formed a committee and prepared ourselves as a community, men just saw women as animals. I think they thought of us as bats flapping around them. They had no respect for us and no-one would allow you to speak or listen to what you had to say. When I stand up now in a group I am not an animal. I am a woman with a valid opinion. We have been encouraged and trained and the whole community has learnt to understand us."
Changes in Chipongwe
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| Christin Pede at handpump, Zambia. |
| Credit: WaterAid / Jon Spaull |
The community in Chipongwe village, Zambia, have formed a strong water committee which looks after the handpump and hygiene issues in the village. Christina Pede explains the changes that the new water supply has brought:
"I collect water from here every day. This water is much better and cleaner than the water we used to collect- it is also much closer to my home now, and so this handpump is a great improvement on what we had before. Previously when we used to drink the water from the damn we used to get diarrhoea and really itchy skin when we used it to bathe in it. These health problems have stopped now - we don't diarrhoea or itchy skin anymore.
This water has really helped my family. The distance we walk to collect water and carry heavy loads has reduced a lot. My children are now able to go to school, but in the past by the time they had gone down and collected water they couldn't go to school. Now they can go with no problems at all.
I have even started growing a garden for some food. I am growing tomatoes, rape and other vegetables for my family. Having the water so close means that I can use the water to grow this food too, before we just couldn't do this."
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