The mothers behind our work
From the day the taps are turned on, to the joy of a birth and more. There are thousands of stories we could tell, but as we approach Mother's Day in the United States, we wanted to showcase some of the moments our photographers have captured, moments between mothers and their children.
Women and children are the most affected by water access scarcity because 80% of the time, they are responsible for sourcing clean water, a time-intensive, laborious task that eats up hours of the day.
Capturing moments between mothers and their children is especially significant for our photographers, as these are the people who stand to gain the most when safe water, toilets and hygiene systems are in place.
From better health to more time, the benefits of clean water, as seen through the lens of motherhood, are undeniable.
Adela, smiles as her child is checking his weight during a routine well visit.
WaterAid, in partnership with Amref Health Africa funded by the Government of Canada, completed a four year project in the Geita and Nyang'hwale districts of Tanzania. The health care center featured in this photograph was one of our project sites.
Specifically, we built and repaired water and sanitation systems and equipment here and in other healthcare centers across the district.
We also trained the health center workforce on hygiene best practices within the facility and developed systems to ensure a sustainable supply of hygiene supplies and ongoing training to support the long-term health of the community.
“I’m happy that there is reliable water in the hospital. I was able to keep my baby clean and healthy. After using the latrine, I was able to wash my hands, and after delivery my caregiver collected water from the tap to wash all our dirty clothes before going back home.”
Mary, pictured, is from the a community within the Kassena Nankana West district of Ghana. She is seated with her son in their local healthcare center. She came her to gave birth before WaterAid’s project had begun. A family member had to fetch clean water for her to wash with after giving birth and there were no toilets. Her sister has recently used the clinic to have her child and Mary was on hand to help. She was impressed with the new facilities.
I accompanied my sister when she gave birth, and I was very happy there was water and toilets. I felt very close to her as I could help her throughout her labor as I didn't have to go and collect water. She could wash off the blood in a washroom next to her bed after delivering, rather than having to go outside. Then she was clean to hold her child.
The water facility in the community has also improved. We always used to have to queue for a long time to collect water, but now don't have to spend as much time collecting [water].
Beyond the day-to-day dignity clean water and sanitation provides, it also unlocks better health and economic prosperity for a community.
In the Kampala region of Uganda, our work has allowed families to flourish.
[Now we have safe water] growing food crops in our back-yard garden has enabled us to save money which we would otherwise be spending on buying vegetables
This is what generational change looks like
Gladys, with her daughter Judith who had just have her first baby at their local healthcare center in the Kazungula district of Zambia. Gladys was able to support Judith through her labor, providing clean water quickly and easily from their ward, instead of having to source it. This meant she could help Judith wash after her delivery and be present at the birth of her grandchild.
Judith was pleased to have her mother nearby, saying, “I felt very happy to have my mother around to care for me. She gave me a nice and warm sponge bath before having a full bath just when we arrived at the clinic. I was weak and in pain at the time. I think I could not have managed to do all that by myself. ”
Glady finished the interview by adding:
If I met my elected officials, I would tell that there are many rural communities where poor people live that lack access to water and good toilets. Mothers suffer a lot when giving life, so they should be given what they deserve, basic things such as water.
Mothers everywhere want the same thing for their children: to be healthy and to thrive. Clean water, with all of the associated benefits, is instrumental. It unlocks better health, greater access to education and economic vitality.
"This is like a dream"
Shampa Rani's whole body would ache after spending half her day collecting water. She would struggle to sleep and take care of her two sons, and her eight-year- old was always sick from using unhygienic toilets.
Now, with water storage, taps and decent toilets near their home, Shampa has the time and strength to look after her family. "My health has improved a lot in a month already," she says. "My children are growing healthy, and none of them are suffering from fever or stomach-ache." It all adds up to something special – a sense that a people rooted in this place for generations can take control of their lives.
"For the first time, the community feels respected and valued,” Shampa says. "Now families do not need to migrate to the city. No one wants to leave their ancestors' home if they can get food and water.”
My kids spent their childhood carrying water with me. Now they can go to school without any interruption. Their health will be ok. What mother wants more?
This Mother's Day, please consider supporting mothers everywhere with the gift of clean water.
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