The phrase “Water is Life” is far truer than most Americans can begin to comprehend. Water-borne disease and death is a common fact of life in the Eastern Region. The leading cause is that the most readily available source of water is highly contaminated ponds.
The only sizable source of clean water is found deep underground. The only access to it is from wells that must be mechanically drilled at a cost of approximately $10,000 each an amount that is beyond the reach of these people living in great poverty. These conditions have left people living in the area with two choices get their daily supply of water.
To walk up to several kilometers a day in the scorching sun and stand in line for hours to get clean water from the limited number of operational wells. Or, to resort to drinking toxic water from nearby stagnant ponds and rivers. One choice makes the people dedicate many hours every day to getting water which severely limits their ability to farm, work, or go to school.
The other choice leads to almost certain sickness which is often deadly especially to children and the elderly. Sadly, when clean water is not available within a reasonable distance, people are often forced to make the latter choice; disease and death are commonplace.
MHM’s goal is to work with the community to make clean water available to each person with a walk of less than 1 km. Improved health and sanitation is another key factor combined with clean water initiatives that will dramatically improve the physical health of people within the community. Measures to address this aspect of community health typically focus on provision and use of well-built latrines as well as training on basic hygiene practices