Water Access Allows Lena to Venture into Farming!

Fifty-one-year-old Lena Nason recalled what life was like in the Ilalu Community before her community's hand-dug well was implemented last year.

"We depended on the public standpipe and had to purchase the water. We could also rely on very dirty water from an earth dam approximately five kilometers (over 3 miles) away. This water source was open to contamination; hence, community members often fell sick after using that water. Sometimes the earth dam would be overcrowded, especially on weekends and during the driest months of the climate calendar," said Lena.

Collecting water is now simpler and less difficult for Lena and the other community members in Ilalu.

"We no longer waste a lot of time at the earth dam. The long treks are forgotten because this water point is close to my home. We now have water for drinking, cooking, washing, and [are] even [able] to practice agricultural activities. The water now is very clean as it is in a well-protected shallow well. I am capable of carrying as many liters of water as I want because the distance is short, unlike before when I had to walk several kilometers searching for water," continued Lena.

Lena collecting water.

Having ready access to water from the well has made a difference for Lena, allowing her to improve her future.

"In the past year, I have planted numerous trees and ventured into cash crop farming. I have been self-reliable, as I do not buy vegetables from the market anymore. Having my own garden where I practice vegetable farming has seen me through tough hunger times in my community. I have managed to plant kale and spinach for my family. I intend to expand my farming and venture into various marketable crops. When I have accumulated enough money, I will purchase a generator to pump water into my farm," concluded Lena.