When I was a young
girl, my mother and I would walk to the river to
collect water every day. We departed with our containers
before dawn in the dark. My mother led me along
on the narrow path through the trees and the brush. The river was nearly four miles
away, and the walk was unsafe. Long ago our river was clean. Today it is dirty and full of
sickness: malaria, cholera, and fever. My little Susan almost
died from diarrhea. Our family was all affected
by the dirty water. But we needed it. We all need water. We knew there was a problem. We saw the problem. But we are a poor village and
could do nothing to change it. I was sad and afraid
of losing a child.
Then, last year, we
received a miracle. It was a well. We were given the supplies
and also the guidance, but the men of my
village built it. They built it for our
family, for all the families. It took many months to
dig and build this well, but my husband and brothers
worked hard every day.
Now I am happy. I know that we are safe. My daughter and I no longer have
to go to the river every day. My children are also safe from
the dangers of dirty water. Now that I don't have to
walk so far to get water, I can take better
care of my family. My children can go to school. We have a better life. It is a kind of liberation. The well is the
center of my village and the future of my family.