Transforming lives through clean water and solar technology
💧Water is LIFE💧
In the heart of Tanzania's Kigoma region, where every drop of water counts, a transformation is taking place. Thanks to the partnership with Grundfos Foundation and Water Mission, the lives of thousands of people are changing for the better.
For years, communities in Kigoma faced the harsh reality of limited access to clean and safe water sources. The burden of fetching water from distant rivers weighed heavily on families, especially women and children. The consequences were dire – diseases, missed school days, and lost opportunities.
Through the partnership between Grundfos Foundation, Water Mission and UNICEF, the introduction of solar pumps to access groundwater and innovative systems like the AQtap intelligent water dispenser has revolutionized water access in Kigoma, allowing users to pay for and draw water anytime day or night with prepaid WaterCards. These sustainable solutions not only ensure a reliable source of clean water but also reduce the environmental footprint, making it a win-win for all.
Yoshua Ndayahande, Ward Executive Officer in Kigoma, remembers a time when water was a distant dream for his village of Shunga. "People used to get it from rivers which were very far away," he says. But now, their lives have improved.
In the past, we had to fetch water from far away and we would be late to school because of water.
No more late arrivals, no more missed opportunities.
The project aims to provide nearly 200,000 people across more than 30 villages in Kigoma with clean water and sanitation. Using solar technology, which is sustainable, helps reduce emissions caused by electricity usage.
The AQTap intelligent water dispenser with prepaid WaterCards has brought innovative solutions, which not only ensures easy access to water but also saves time for other activities.
Paul Magangali, a clinician in Kigoma, notes the reduction in diseases, saying, "It has helped to reduce diseases like bloody diarrhoea and sometimes even worm infestations. Additionally, cases of amoeba infections have greatly decreased compared to the past."
The impact is not only felt in households and health centres, but in schools too. For students in Kigoma, like Calvin Richard, life has changed dramatically. "Nowadays, students fetch water here at school and they do not get as tired as before." And Joseph Mgaluka, a school headmaster remarked that the clean drinking water not only helps the children, but also the school’s teachers and staff.
The burden of carrying water on their heads, especially for women, is lifting, as Verediana Erasto, a resident of Kigoma, expresses her gratitude, "We are so grateful to all who helped us and lifted the burden of carrying water on our heads. Particularly for women! Thank you so much!"
