There’s Nothing Quite Like Water
Rural villages in India are thriving on new sources of safe water, through your support of the Big Muslim Fund.
GENERAL
Last year MGR located four Indian villages where the need for water was greatest. Rasulpur, Kalapanchan, Niali and Siripar are in the South Eastern regions of Khorda, Puri and Cuttak. Each village is home to 35-50 households, and the major occupation in these communities is informal labour for a daily wage.
Before we brought safe water, poverty was rife and disease was widespread owing to waterborne illnesses and a lack of hygiene and sanitation. Women and children suffered most, because they were often responsible for finding and fetching water.
Through the Big Muslim Fund, we installed 17 hand-pumps across the four villages. The hand-pumps serve 180 households, benefiting an estimated 2,000 people. MGR also conducted awareness raising sessions for hygiene and sanitation with the local communities.
The result has been phenomenal, turning the dire situation in each village around in such a short space of time.
Since the hand-pumps were installed, conflicts resulting from water shortages have reduced by 90%. There is a positive sense of community ownership of the hand-pumps, and general harmony. Now that water sources are close and easily accessible, women no longer have to spend so much time fetching water that is only enough for their most basic needs. The time they save is spent more productively. With more water at their disposal, people are able to wash clothes, clean their homes and bathe regularly.
The hand-pumps have also reduced waterborne diseases, while hygiene in the villages is gradually improving. With less people falling ill, more children have begun to attend school, and adults are able to work.
There really is nothing quite like water, and with simple, safe water solutions we can turn lives around. Donate now to give water.