How a nearby water point is easing the burden for an expectant mother in Cabo Delgado
“Now the water is close to home, and this makes my life much easier.”
Palma, Cabo Delgado - For 30-year-old Uaica Ali, who is pregnant with her fifth child, collecting water used to mean walking for more than an hour to reach a traditional well.
Like many women and girls in Olumbe Administrative Post, Palma District, Uaica faced long journeys to fetch water for her family. The water from the well was not safe for drinking, particularly for children and pregnant women.
According to a community leader, some children experienced diarrhoea while families relied on the well.
Now, a new water supply system provides water through three water points, benefiting more than 1,280 families.
Uaica, a mother of four, says having water closer to home has made her daily routine much easier.
“Today I only need one minute to fetch water. In my condition, it would be very difficult to walk for more than an hour to get water from the well,” she says.
Before, the long distance meant spending more time and effort collecting water for drinking and other household needs. Today, the nearest water point is just a short walk away.
“It is so good to have water very close to home. We no longer have to suffer to get water,” says Uaica.
For Uaica, who is preparing for the arrival of her fifth child, having water nearby means less physical effort at a time when daily tasks can be more demanding.
“Now the water is close to home, and this makes my life much easier.”
The water supply system in Olumbe was installed with support from UNICEF and UNOPS, in partnership with the District Government, and with funding from the World Bank through the Northern Crisis Recovery Project (NCRP).
