What Water Means for Moms
Some say being a mother is the toughest job in the world. There is no instruction manual and no time off. For millions of women around the world, being a mom is that much more challenging without access to clean water. Many pregnant women have to bring their own clean water to the hospital for use during labor and delivery and millions of mothers have no choice but to give their children dirty water that makes them sick.
For moms, clean water means a safe and dignified birth. It means staying healthy to care and provide for their kids. It means children miss fewer school days and parents have more time to work and earn a living. Access to clean water means less worry for moms and more family time spent growing, laughing and learning.
This Mother’s Day, we take a look at moms around the world and how clean water has helped them focus on what matters: being a mom.
More time in Madagascar
Raoly lives in Tsarafangitra, a small village in Madagascar. Until recently, women in Raoly’s village would walk long distances to fetch water and return home with 20-liter jerry cans balanced on their heads. The trek back was often unsafe and slippery. Now, members of the village have five water points that provide access to clean water year-round. For Raoly, access to clean water means more time and a better quality of life.
Now we can fetch water at any time to bathe our kids or to clean our house. Now, things are easier for us. We are no longer tired because we no longer have to fetch water and climb back up hills with our young children on our backs anymore.
A Dignified Birth in Mali
Awa and her family live in Bougoura, a village of 1,500 people in Mali.
Last year Awa gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. Access to clean water at the clinic helped her bring her daughter into the world with confidence. Awa is pictured here with her nurse, Christine, at one of the 23 health centers that WaterAid Mali worked with.
Christine shares:
Our health center has safe water outside and inside. This gives us joy and courage to work here. When patients arrive they appreciate the fact that there are all these water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. This make us feel proud.
Now that’s something to smile about.
Proud Mom of a Math Whiz in Colombia.
Loida lives in Wayuuma’ana, an indigenous community in La Guajira, Colombia.
Wayuuma’ana recently benefited from a new water system. For Loida, access to clean water means her son, Jesus, will no longer be sick and have to miss school days.
Jesus is a very good student. He's eight years old and he's in the fourth grade. He likes mathematics because he's very good at it. He’s very intelligent.
Privacy and Peace of Mind in Pakistan
For Salma, in Pakistan, access to clean water and decent toilets means more independence for her daughter, Kausar, who has special needs. Salma provides her 16-year-old daughter with full time care, assisting her with walking, communicating and personal hygiene. With access to a toilet at home, Salma no longer has to walk long distances with Kausar to use the bathroom and they have more privacy. Life is easier now, she says.
I have taught her how to wash her hands with soap and water. She does that by herself.
Quality of life in Nicaragua
Jessica lives in Tasba Pain, a small community in northeastern Nicaragua. She and her neighbors will soon benefit from a new water system that will give families access to clean water right next to their homes. This means Jessica will no longer have to walk long distances to fetch water, do laundry or perform other household chores.
For Jessica, access to water will mean more time and energy to spend with her daughter, Sandy.
Water is part of all the little moments that make up daily life for moms and their kids.
Access to clean water is a chance for better health, growth, love and life. Today, we celebrate all of the hardworking moms. The motivated, resilient and determined women that have raised generations. Today is a reminder that our goal to bring clean water to everyone, everywhere is within reach and that one day, moms around the world won’t have to live without access to water.
