Thanks to all those who supported The Waterbearers’ World Water Day 2021 fundraiser on March 22, and to Precious Nyadongo in Zimbabwe who brought another community in need of clean water to our attention. On April 19, a solar-powered borehole was installed in the rural community of Battlefield. Now, more than 2000 people will have sustainable access to clean water that can last lifetimes.

For the past decade, this area has been prone to severe droughts making it almost impossible to reach a water source. When the river runs dry women dig with their bare hands to search for water that may be just beneath the river bed. Reaching the underground water source is a costly undertaking that most rural communities cannot afford. The drilling machine had to cut through several layers of granite and bedrock to get to the water 140 meters (500 ft) down.

“I am beside myself with joy!”  Says Sukoluhle, a 35-year-old mother of three. “Getting water is easy now that I don’t have to walk so far, and I have more time to be with my children.”

Before the borehole installation, Sukoluhle walked 15 km (9 miles) to fetch water from the river. She used to do this twice a day. Even so, the water was not safe to drink, and people often got sick from drinking the water, and the nearest healthcare center is 20 km away.”

Sukoluhle continues, “My dream for myself is to be able to empower others, and I want to say thank you very much to The Waterbearers for helping to make this a reality.”

Girls start fetching water when they are 12 years old

This is Gugulethu, she is 12. Before the borehole was installed, Gugulethu used to walk 2 hours to and from the nearest water source. She did this, three times a day starting very early in the morning before school, in the afternoon after school, and in the evening, just before helping her mother prepare dinner. The water from the river is not safe to drink and it often made her sick.

Since The Waterbearers provided this clean water system closer to her home, it now only takes Gugulethu 5 minutes to get water. She has more time to concentrate on her studies, time to read books, and help her mother set up a garden to grow vegetables. Also, she will have time to play with other girls her age. Her dream is to do well in school and go to university to train to be a nurse. She dreams of her family living a comfortable life.

On behalf of her friends the same age, she would like to say thank you to The Waterbearers for changing her life, and the lives of other girls in her village. Changing their lives in a very positive way.