clean water changes everything
Clean water is foundational to reversing the cycle of poverty. In Burundi, one of the poorest countries in the world, waterborne illnesses are the leading cause of death and the majority of the population live in rural, mountainous areas that are difficult to access. For a community there, clean water means:
Improved Health
Clean water is not easily accessible in the mountainous terrain and rural sections of Burundi, where most of the population lives. Consequently, 100% of Burundians in these areas are affected by water-borne illnesses which lead to typhoid, hepatitis A, schistosomiasis, bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, and death. However, in areas where we have installed clean water systems, local health centers report a dramatic decrease in diseases and a significant improvement in overall health.
BETTER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
When access to clean water helps eliminate water-borne illnesses, children are sick less, which allows them to attend school on a more regular basis. With shortened walking distances, they spend less time gathering and carrying water to their homes. Access to clean water along the route to school and at the school house keeps children clean and hydrated throughout the day, increasing their ability to learn.
SHORTER, SAFER WALKING DISTANCE
Our clean water systems dramatically reduce the distance traveled to access water, from 4 miles to one quarter of a mile, due to the strategic placement of public-access tap stands. This means substantially less time is required to fetch and carry water, a job traditionally done by women and children. It allows children to spend more time in school, and provides women with the time to develop trades or care for home and family. In addition, the shorter distance eliminates the dangers found in treacherous mountainous terrain or near dangerous, untreated water sources three to four hours away.
COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
On average, we employ 100-110 local workers to help with the water system construction. The workers are all residents of the community, using their earnings to purchase additional livestock, repair homes, or send their children to school. We also purchase supplies and materials locally, further boosting the community’s economy. The average Burundian family lives on less than $600 annually, so our infusion of work in the area aids locals in providing for their families and becoming productive members of their community. Hiring local workers for the projects also develops local knowledge for upkeep and maintenance, as the ownership of all water systems are turned over to the community upon completion.