Chisopola Community, Zambia
In the Chisopola community, a pervasive water crisis brought multiple challenges to community members. When the community’s primary water source, a nearby hand pump, broke down, residents were tasked with finding alternative water sources. This unfortunate event was especially burdensome to the women and young girls of the community, who bore the responsibility of collecting water for their families. They traveled long distances and spent more time searching for alternative water sources, which often offered contaminated water. The residents, especially children, suffered from increased waterborne diseases after consuming contaminated water. The devastating health impacts took a toll on the families. Parents were frequently occupied in a continuous cycle of caring for their sick kids, leaving them with little to no time to focus on other essential life responsibilities, like work and household duties.
The water crisis not only ravaged the community’s health but also hindered their agricultural productivity. Farmers encountered escalating difficulties in maintaining their fields due to the scarcity of safe water, resulting in diminished yields. This decrease in productivity strained the community’s economy and food supply, making life even more difficult for community members. The palpable effects of the water crisis affected every aspect of residents’ lives, underscoring the vital role of water in sustaining life and livelihoods.
Community leaders needed to find a solution to this water crisis. When they heard of our work in the region, they immediately reached out for help. Our team responded by rehabilitating the existing borehole, constructing a new well pad, and installing a new hand pump. The Chisopola community was filled with gratitude. Because of your gift, they finally had a reliable, safe water source!
COMMUNITY DETAILS
| Exact Coordinates: | Latitude: -14.591551 Longitude: 27.251039 |
| Previous Water: | Hand Pump |
| Total Users: | 250 |
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
| Pump Type: | Hand Pump |
| Depth of Well: | 43 m |
IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Christine Mutinta is a farmer in Chisopola. She shared her community’s story of transformation: “The number of waterborne diseases was high, and our children suffered a lot. We spent much time nursing our children because of the contaminated water we used to drink. The production in our fields lessened because of lack of safe water.”
Christine is excited about the many benefits safe water will bring her community. She said, “Our children will have safe water without getting sick. The new safe water source has been awesome because our children are well and healthy.”
Our partnership with Padilla Group helped contribute the financial support needed to build the well and educate the community on water hygiene best practices. Thank you for your support!
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