For the anniversary of arche noVa, Evans Kawumbu plays an important role as he lives right where our anniversary project will take place, for which we started a donation campaign in 2017. On the World Water Day on 22th March we asked a photographer to visit Evans and take some pictures.
The seven year old Evans lives on a small farm at the outskirts of Katosi in Uganda. The family grows vegetables and fruits. Most of it is for their own consumption. In the household Evans and his siblings are responsible for fetching the water. Multiple times a day they walk to the mounted water source located ten minutes from their home.
The family needs many canisters of water each day. Fresh water for hand washing and body hygiene is always at hand. Same goes for teeth brushing. The first grader does not only use a toothbrush but also ash as a cleanser. All this takes place in the open air, just like the hand washing.
A toilet though Evan’s family does not own, they look for places outdoors. This affects four out of five people in Uganda. The lack of sanitary supply is one of the biggest barriers for development on-site and the main reason for bacteria to get into the drinking water and the spreading of infective diseases. Mainly children are affected by severe diarrhea or even cholera. Also Evans drinks water that is clear but not safe. That is why his family always boils the water before they drink it. But not everybody lives after this hygiene rule, so the topic health care also plays an important role for our local partner organisation Katosi Women Development Trust.
Anniversary project creates alternatives
Our anniversary project will empower the women’s organisation so they can handle the local water crisis for the approximately 170 000 people in the rural area at the shore of Lake Victoria step by step themselves. In self-aid groups rain collection tanks and toilets for families are built. Additionally 160 women will be trained as mechanics so they can maintain and repair the wells and pumps on-site. They cooperate with the water committees which will be equipped with tools and spares.
Our gratitude applies to everybody who already supported the project. Further donations are welcome.
