A Dangerous Chore

There was no water source in her village and she had to travel more than a mile along a very busy road to reach a hand pump.

“I hated that journey” she recalls. “The road is busy and dangerous. My father was hit by a vehicle once and broke his leg.”  

Not only was the road hazardous, but she often traveled along it after dark. “The hand pump was used by many communities, so the line was always long and you could wait for hours to fill your jerry cans. You go when it is light, but you come home when it is dark." With the fall of darkness, the threat to her safety increased and not only from the road.

“There are some boys, some men that can disturb girls like me. After dark they can follow you or wait for you somewhere. Thank God I was never hurt but I have friends who have suffered.”

Such danger was a daily concern for Shamim.

When Water Compass constructed a solar powered water supply station in Shamim’s village, her life changed immeasurably.

“I have no fear collecting water now. It is so close to my home and I’m never out after dark.”

Having easy access to water has made all the difference to Shamim. It only takes 15 minutes, instead of several hours, to collect water.

She doesn’t have to wait in line to fill her jerry cans because there are multiple taps available at the water station, instead of one hand pump, ensuring she can fill her jerry cans quickly and be on her way safely home.