in their own words how water has affected their lives
Children, mothers, teachers, doctors—individuals living in Burundi explain what life was like before their community receives a water system and how their life is different now that a water system serves their home, school, church, and community.
Rural villages in Burundi are hilly, tropical, and cool most of the year because much of the area is at elevation. Many roads are not paved, electricity is largely absent, and many people make their living in agriculture. When we bring a gravity-fed, sustainable water system project to the area, people benefit in fundamental, live-changing ways. See why clean water matters.
From Burundi with love
Cecile Niyonizigiye: Receiving Clean Water Is a New Beginning
“We thank God for the blessing of the Gazelle Foundation, so we can receive clean water. Looking back at the past, we were living in bad conditions…[There was] dirty water full of worms and other bacteria. Right now, thanks to the Gazelle Foundation, kids are happy, and people in my community are happy and healthy. The [health] clinic is not stressed or crowded with sick people. We are wearing clean clothes. There are no worries about water. It is a gift. We have lives of possibilities. Receiving a clean water system is a new beginning. We promised the administration that this water will be protected by our own local people. We have created a committee in charge of preserving and protecting the water.” Cecile Niyonizigiye, Chief of Shanga Colline, Commune Ryansoro, Gitega Province.
Urabona Bievenue: I Used to Be Late to School, Now I Can Be In Class
“Water was far from home, and school and life were difficult. Searching to find water, I used to be late to school because it was always a lot of work to get the water. Now I can be in class, and there is water here that we all can use.” Urabona Bievenue, student (pictured on right)
Urabona’s school receives water as part of the Murwindara-Mugano Water System #72.
Hilde Nininahazwe: We Would Collect Condensation From Surfaces
“There were nights I couldn’t give water to my kids because the trip to get it was too far away. So we would collect condensation from surfaces and drink that.” Hilde Nininahazwe, mother. Thanks to Gazelle Foundation, and our water system, we all have as much clean water as we need.
Jacqueline Nzeyimana: It’s Just 5 Minutes to the Tap Stand for All of Us
“We used to travel a very long distance of an hour walk each way. The water was dirty. You could see moving or swimming worms. Now it’s just five minutes to the tap stand to get water for all of us. Kids aren’t late to school because they have to collect water. Now they can easily collect it themselves and keep themselves clean.” Jacqueline Nzeyimana, mother.
Adronis Niyonsaba: There USED TO BE Fights Over Water
"Life has been paralyzed due to the hardships of getting the water because we are meeting so many people along the way and due to long lines from the students, neighbors, etc, we go to get water without knowing how long it will take. Once we get there, there is no cutting corners, it is first come first served, and this cuts the time we should be studying. It’s about a mile each way, come down empty buckets, climb back up with full water buckets.There have been numerous fights over who gets the dirty water versus who gets the clean water. The villagers don’t give priority to the students who are trying to get back to class. I understand, because everyone is just trying to get water. It’s a very frustrating situation. It could be solved with clean water.” Adronis Niyonsaba, studying to become a science teacher.
Adronis and his classmates at Rubanga College have since received close access to clean water through the Nyarumanaga-Rubanga Water System #60. You can read more about his experiences that he shared with us.
Alois Ndayirukiye: Students Lose 2 Hours Per Day of Instruction and Study Time
“The average student is losing two hours per day of instruction and study time. We had water at the school that was coming from far away but there started to be problems along the way, and some of those sources dried up. Kids are not focusing on studies and instead are forced to focus on chores. We are managing, but due to lack of water, we have had to split chores between the staff and students. For example, because it takes the kitchen crew so long to fetch the water needed to prepare meals, the students have had to take over the job of getting water to clean themselves and clean their classrooms.” Alois Ndayirukiye, Rubanga College headmaster.
Rubanga College, which is a boarding school for 900 students, has received close access to clean water through the Nyarumanaga-Rubanga Water System #60. You can read more about what life was like before the water system was built in our three-part series: Life Is Paralyzed. Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Patrice Ndizeye: A Doctor’s perspective
In 2010, Levis Bizindavyi, head of the health care center in the community of Rumuvu, Burundi, made a startling discovery. “Of about 100 people treated,” he said, “80 cases were caused by dirty water.”
Patrice Ndizeye, who heads the health care center in Horezo, came to a similar conclusion. “We would receive about 40 children a day with diarrhea or intestinal worms. More than 76% of these children had diseases caused by the lack of proper water,” he said.
In the face of these sobering statistics, the Gazelle Foundation set to work installing clean water systems in these communities. Clean water creates a foundation of good health, which has far-reaching consequences.
Inspired to help?
Learn more about the impact we are having in Burundi and how you can get involved. We construct water systems all year long, posting updates and photos as each is built.
