Empowering Communities with Clean Water

In South Sudan, clean water is a precious resource that is not readily available for all communities. We are accustomed to turning on a tap within our home where we are supplied with clean water for drinking, washing and all our needs.

Ester* lives in Bahr El Gazal, in the northern part of South Sudan. She collects water in plastic containers from a tap stand about 300 metres from her home. The water comes from a borehole. A solar-powered pump delivers it to an elevated tank that can then supply water to a few locations around the community, including the health clinic and a community water source where families can collect water.

When Samaritan’s Purse installed the system, life changed for Ester and her friends. “With the water point now close to our home, I can get water for our family early each morning. It only takes 40 minutes. I can be home in time to walk to school with my friends. We all meet at the water point each day. We can get our water, have a wash back at home and head off to school ready for the day.” she said.

Fetching water is usually the job of girls. Boys are tending to the animals. If the water collection point is far from home, girls are at risk. Risk of missing out on school. Risk of being harassed or abused when walking a long way from their family. Risk of not being able to maintain their personal hygiene. Girls are vulnerable. Having the water nearby is so important. It is important for boys too, so that animals can be watered and the boys can be more free to attend school too.

The international standard for water supply indicates that 15 litres per day should be available for each person, within 500 metres of their home. A tap stand should supply no more than 250 people so that wait times are not more than 30 minutes. Samaritan’s Purse is seeking to bless communities to make this possible.