Water on tap

Mary Naggaye and her children, Kibirige Deo (12) and Jessica Nataala (10) in Mako village, Uganda.

Credit: WaterAid / Geoff Crawford

WaterAid, in partnership with local organisations, has so far helped nearly one million people in three districts of Uganda. Here, Mary Naggaye and her family talk of the differences a WaterAid project has made to their village. By Kaya Mallinder.

Mary Naggaye, from Mako village 30km from the Ugandan capital of Kampala, is a mother of two and sole bread winner for her family. Mary has seen many benefits arise since the community worked with WaterAid to install a handpump in her village in March 2003. “There has been a big change,†she explains, “Not many people get diseases now. We were worried about the other water but now we can drink it directly.â€

Mary and her children, Kibirige Deo (12) and Jessica Nataala (10), would spend up to five hours a day fetching water from a dirty source before the water pump was installed. Now Mary can spend more time making and selling mats and working as a hairdresser. She can also focus on keeping her household clean, which is made easier by not having to use dirty water to wash the dishes and clothes.

Kibirige has his own reasons for welcoming the water pump. “I used to have to boil all the water for about 30 minutes and go to the well about four or five times a day,†he says. “Now I play football with my friends.â€

WaterAid has been working in Uganda for 20 years, with the first country office set up in Kampala in 1992. Since then over 920,000 people have benefited from WaterAid projects and offices have opened in the Mpigi and Katakwi districts. WaterAid works with local partner organisations to implement the projects and, by working together, they aim to help many thousands of poor people a year.

Jessica Nataala uses the new WaterAid handpump to collect clean, safe water close to home.

Credit: WaterAid / Geoff Crawford

On the day the water pump opened in the Mako village Mary says there was great jubilation. “It was a day of celebration,†she says. “Everyone wanted to pump the water and everyone drank directly from the well because they saw the water was clean.â€

Mary’s daughter Jessica missed out on these celebrations because she was ill with stomach ache, a common complaint that has been greatly reduced with the introduction of the water pump. However, she still talks of the first day the village had clean water. “They started pumping the water and everyone was happy and people were singing.â€

Mako is just one of many villages in Uganda that have seen improved health, increased income and better hygiene since the introduction of clean water systems such as water pumps and protected wells. Children like Kibirige and Jessica no longer have to spend hours collecting water, which means they have more time to play, and don’t have to miss school due to water related illnesses. The future is looking bright for the next generation.

Kaya Mallinder is WaterAid’s Communications Services Officer.

WaterAid's work in Uganda