Women in Biloto Village, Indonesia gather water from the reservoir CWS helped them construct. Photo: Ilmi Suminar/CWS
Access to clean, safe water doesn’t take massive investment in many communities where water is scarce. One characteristic of CWS work around the world is small-scale solutions that are guided, developed and sustained in each community. Here are a few examples of how we’re working around the world, where small projects make a big impact.
Collecting water drained time and energy
Like everyone else in his village, Filipus Oematan was used to the 6 km walk every day to collect water for his family. It was the only way his family and others in Biloto Village, West Timor, Indonesia could have water to drink, bathe and water their cattle.
Simple solution: a reservoir
Villagers in Biloto asked CWS to help them build a small reservoir. CWS provided expertise, basic equipment and materials, while the community came together to build it. Now, not only do the villagers have easy access to the water they need for their homestead gardens and personal hygiene, they plan to cultivate additional crops on the vacant land next to the reservoir. “We plan to breed fresh water fishes, too,” Filipus says. “We also see the importance of giving service to many people.”
No water for crops meant no money for school
Maria Williams wanted her children in school, but without the money for fees and no way to generate income, the outlook was dismal. Their daily search for water was a long and arduous journey from their home in Kadokoi, Kenya – and what water they did find was contaminated.
Simple solution: a local sand dam and well
Through its Water for Life Program, CWS and partner Farming Systems Kenya helped the community build a sand dam and well. Now, with water readily available at the village center, Maria has opened a small green grocery, selling vegetables and making enough money to ensure her five children will be educated. “Without the stress of finding and collecting water, the children are healthier and have time to do their studies,” says Maria, “and their performance in school is already improving.”
Damaged water and sewage systems led to disease outbreaks
In the Republic of Georgia, the villagers in Tsinamzgvriantkari faced serious farming and health issues. The nearby reservoir was blocked and a damaged sewage system caused polluted water to overflow into villagers’ gardens – and into the river basin. Sanitation was nonexistent; disease, however, was prevalent.
Simple solution: a renovated drainage system and eco-friendly toilets
CWS and its partner, Rural Communities Development Agency, provided training for local villagers and those displaced by violence, so they could repair the drainage system and construct eco-toilets. After learning new skills and working together, the villagers now have access to safe drinking water, and the fields and crops are safe from pollution. Though some were hesitant to get involved in the program, 37-year-old Natela Bekurashvili has been an active participant from the start. “When people see the results of their work,” she says, “their belief in a better future is restored.”
Chronic food scarcity created increased dependency on aid
In Muheza, Tanzania, a community plagued by drought, intermittent flooding, soil erosion and a fragile ecosystem, poverty and malnutrition were rampant. After rains washed away the intake for the village’s irrigation system, families could no longer grow their own food and became dependent on relief. “If they can fix this canal, we will not need relief food assistance anymore,” says 80 year-old Amina, who cares for her 10 grandchildren as a widow.
Simple solution: repair the irrigation system intake; restore self-sufficiency
Amina told CWS staff of her family’s long history of harvesting food in Muheza, until the intake was damaged. CWS provided the Muheza community with a $35,000 grant to rehabilitate the water intake – a sustainable solution that enables villagers to work toward self-reliance. The community’s new goal is to learn modern farming techniques with CWS assistance, helping Muheza families further improve both their lives and their livelihoods.