Problems occur but that doesn't mean we back off and do nothing.
Pabi lives in Dolakha, Nepal, with her two young children.
It is a region ravaged by climate-related disasters. Droughts and landslides are common. Erratic rainfall in recent years has ranked the area in the ‘high’ category for climate vulnerability.
Five years ago, clean water was hard to come by. The majority of water systems in Pabi's area were not working or only partially functionable. Without filtration, pipes used to clog and break frequently.
We were drinking dirty water which made us sick.
Pabi, 32, with her son and daughter, Kalinchowk, Dolakha, Nepal, Sep 2020.
Pabi, 32, with her son and daughter, Kalinchowk, Dolakha, Nepal, Sep 2020.
Problems are part of our life and they have to be faced to find a solution.
With Pabi’s leadership and support from our generous donors and local partners, we started planning a series of sustainable and equitable water systems.
We wanted to make sure Pabi's community had access to clean water and sanitation, so they felt safe and secure, and could make the most of life's opportunities.
Together, we got to work. First, the community identified appropriate water sources. Then they dug the trenches for the water pipes. Pabi remembers everything going smoothly until...
We had a plan to extend the pipeline to the households, construct taps and other related works, but a massive landslide occurred which covered up the water sources and swept away the land which had been identified for the intake and reservoir tank construction.
We had also collected stones to construct the reservoir tank near the site and they were also taken away by the landslide.
The work in Pabi's community had to completely stop. There was no choice.
Pabi carrying her baby on her back while laying pipeline in a field, Kalinchowk, Dolakha, Nepal, July 2020.
Pabi carrying her baby on her back while laying pipeline in a field, Kalinchowk, Dolakha, Nepal, July 2020.
Pabi washing her hands whilst other community members wait in line behind her, Kalinchowk, Dolakha, Nepal, July 2020.
Pabi washing her hands whilst other community members wait in line behind her, Kalinchowk, Dolakha, Nepal, July 2020.
I have seen and experienced landslides and floods but not as massive as the one that occurred here.
After the landslide, when the flooding carried all the mud and sand into my yard, I was very much scared. I was totally hopeless.
The landslide destroyed four homes, most of the farmlands and half of the water sources in the area.
But, where there is water, there is still hope.
The community did not give up. After a year and a half, when it was safe, they picked the project back up. With the remaining water sources, they started construction, building further protection in disaster-prone areas.
Thanks to Pabi’s leadership, the community spirit and our generous donors, these people now have access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.
School friends washing their hands at the handwashing station, Dolakha, Nepal.
School friends washing their hands at the handwashing station, Dolakha, Nepal.
Two schools in Pabi's community now have access to clean drinking water.
Pabi cleaning her son's feet at the tap stand, Kalinchowk, Dolakha, Nepal.
Pabi cleaning her son's feet at the tap stand, Kalinchowk, Dolakha, Nepal.
160 households now have clean drinking water coming through their taps.
I am so glad to hear people say that now they have got clean drinking water running from their taps in their houses.
Their life is way more comfortable.
People in the community are happy and healthy.
Nowadays most of the houses use water filter to drink.
To ensure that the clean drinking water is flowing from the tap, we have a chlorination unit installed in the one of the reservoir tanks.
The project has also provided the equipment to test the water quality.
I can do the test myself, so I am able to make sure whether or not the clean drinking water is running from the household taps.
In the beginning, I was little doubtful about my own capabilities. I would question myself, whether I would be able to lead the project and successfully complete it.
I am proud to say that the leadership by a female member like me is successful and I got the confidence that I can accomplish a big project like this.
I feel like I have got an extra energy.
At present I am doing, and I will do my best to keep 160 taps in operation.
Your support makes projects like this possible.
Right now around the world, 1 in 10 people still don't have access to clean water and more frequent natural disasters, like those experienced in Nepal, are making things worse.
It has never been more important to build sustainable, climate-resilient water systems.
We won't stop until everyone, everywhere has access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
Pabi's daughter, washing her hands at the tapstand, Kalinchowk, Dolakha.
Pabi's daughter, washing her hands at the tapstand, Kalinchowk, Dolakha.
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