When I turned the water on for the first time, I couldn’t control my emotions.
How does a water project impact a community? The best answer to that question comes from beneficiaries themselves. Viaje Sicale Buana, from the village of 19 de Outubro, described her community’s project to us:
“In the beginning, I didn’t quite understand what the project was all about. I’d never seen water coming from a faucet before in my life, so I couldn’t even imagine what was being proposed. But now I know. I have water at my house.
When I turned the water on for the first time, I couldn’t control my emotions. I cried. They were tears of happiness because I realized there was no longer any need for me to walk 3 miles a day to fetch water.
I am also happy with the new toilet. I didn’t think there could be a clean toilet made of porcelain. It’s safe. I know my children won’t fall in. There is no reason to go to the bushes any more. I would like to thank Water1st and GSB for their work and encourage them to continue to support other women like me who live in the neighboring villages.”
Less than 2% of Mozambicans have water piped to their homes. In 2017 we completed the 19 de Outubro community project—the first piped water system in the entire region.
Thanks to your support, Viaje and her neighbors now have clean water 24/7 for drinking, cooking, laundry, flushing the toilet, washing hands frequently, and bathing—all contributing to better health.
