Empowering women in water supply and management

Rita Chinagorom, 40, is one of the four female water kiosks managers stationed at the Umuabor motorised borehole water kiosk. The mother of four children resides in Umuabor community. On completing her West African Examination Council (WAEC) examination, Rita worked hard to gain admission into the Federal College of Education, Eha Amufu. However, her parents who were farmers could not sustain her education; and in her second year, she had to drop out and get married. She started a small scale poultry farm which was not profitable. Life looked bleak for Rita especially as her husband’s trade was also not profitable.

Things began to look up for Rita when the community employed her as one of the caretakers for one of the Umuabor motorised water scheme kiosks under the Sustainable Clean Water and Sanitation project. Rita is committed to growing on her job and is optimistic about the future.

Rita Chinagorom, explains the transformation the intervention has had on her.

The RAIN/WaterAid project presented an opportunity to learn new skills, become gainfully employed and affect my community positively. My life has changed! I have learnt how to read meters, document sales in the ledger, and manage the water kiosk. My job as a water kiosk manager pays me between NGN 5,000–NGN 7,000 monthly, which is enough for me to support my husband, take care of my children and also handle other responsibilities I could not manage before. This job is very fulfilling and I am grateful for the opportunity I have.”