Access to Water for 500 Rural Indian Families

In May 2016 a further 275 WaterWheels were ordered and sent to six of our partner's project locations across India, including 2 extra orders for communities which were affected by severe drought. We were able to increase the size of the order thanks partly to the monthly donations we are now receiving from some of our partners. We are also very grateful to Global Giving UK for the grant received via them at the end of 2015 which made it possible to place such a large one off order which gave us access to the extra discount on the cost price of the WaterWheels from Wello.

West Bengal

The WaterWheel project brings a real benefit to those living in some of the many villages affected by the severe drought in the Malda district of West Bengal. Traditionally people have carried water on their head from long distance away for multipurpose uses. 50 families from this community were very grateful to receive a WaterWheel at this time.

The distribution event was hosted by the local Good Shepherd Community Church. They used the opportunity to give some practical guidance to those receiving the WaterWheels on family life and health and hygiene issues. Such as washing hands before food, after going to the toilet and washing hands properly with soap. They also talked about the benefits of keeping the area around their homes clean and also how to avoid dengue and malaria as well what they need to do if a family member has diarrhea. They also discussed the issue of family planning and the benefits of smaller families and happy families. After the program the 50 Waterwheels were distributed to the families. One of the local political leaders also attended the event and was involved in part the distribution.

Maharashtra

News Clip  - The drought situation in Maharashtra was the worst in more than four decades and affected millions of people across the state. The rainfall had 50% less than the average during the last two monsoon seasons and this “is the second year of drought. With failed irrigation systems, people are facing a crisis,” commented a human rights activist, who was part of a team visiting the area.

A total of 15 districts were affected. Almost one-fifth of the state was declared drought-hit and some 12,000 villages across districts such as Solapur, Ahmednagar, Satara, Beed, Nashik, Latur and Nanded needed help.

In some villages women had to walk up to three kilometers from home to fetch water that is muddy. “People have no choice but to use that water. They are falling ill, with cases of cough and fever and increasing among women and children”. (uncanindia.in)

50 WaterWheels were sent to Kadit in Maharashtra following an urgent request because of the drought situation. Kadit, is one of the villages of Ahmadnagar district of Maharashtra and 27 kilometres from the famous Sai Baba pilgrim place of Shirdi. Our partner OMIF started a Good Shepherd School at Kadith in 2009 and RED International’s supporters sponsor the education of more than 150 children at this school. This school also has a community health worker serving the health needs of the children attending the school as well as the local community. Some of these children are the first generation to attend school.

The Pravra river flows through this village but during the drought it had run dry. The distribution in Kadit was conducted on the riverbank of the village, under the tree and in front of a temple. The village Pradhan (elected leader) inaugurated the programme.

He talked about the change brought to the village by the work of our partner and the Good Shepherd School and health programme. He said the WaterWheel was going to help the village in manifold ways. The community health worker then spoke about the health issues related to water, focusing on the different water sources and hygiene issues etc.

They then distributed some snacks and tea but the village Pradhan also treated the team with a special meal to show their gratitude.

Rajasthan

The desert state of Rajasthan was also facing a water crisis with 19 out of the 33 districts being famine affected. Nearly 17000 out of total 44672 villages are facing water crisis. Following the recent distribution of 100 more WaterWheels in Rajasthan there will be up to 200 families and individuals using Wello WaterWheels for their daily water needs as part of the project in rural Rajasthan.

One story from the team in Rajasthan

“The Waterwheel is a real blessing for women. It helps them to collect water without much difficulty, usually women carry water on head from 4 to 7 kilometres which consume whole day in collecting water, the Waterwheel is helping them to collect water smartly.

Jeveben and her husband are living in extreme poverty. They do not have their own house, source of water is far from where they live, the waterwheel helped them to collect water from far distance and helped them to build their own little mud house using waterwheel. Jeveben’s husband has lost one arm in a fishing accident so most of the water collection is done by Jeveben. She was very thankful for this idea of waterwheel it has really give them hope to build their house with less headache.

We are very happy to see waterwheel being used by the people in this hot summer with 50 degrees C temperature (122 Fahrenheit) where there is no water this waterwheel are real joy for them. We would like thank all those who have given their valuable support in this wonderful project.”

The head on the Good Shepherd economic development programme has been involved with the project in Rajasthan since the first distribution of WaterWheels in May 2015. He was also at the recent distribution programme in Kadit and revisited Rajasthan when the distribution of the latest 100 WaterWheels began.  He has send a few thoughts on this first year working with the WaterWheel project.

“We have been sharing all the good things about WaterWheel and it is all true. It is a brilliant simple idea to help women. The product is doing well in many places but we have found that some WaterWheels are not enduring the tough conditions in Rajasthan so well and that is a concern. It was such joy for me to see many women using WaterWheels in Rajasthan and hear their stories. My recent Rajasthan trip was one of the best project trips I have had. Monsoon has arrived so we need wait for next summer to see if there will further problems with drought.”

The interest in the WaterWheels in Rajasthan and other areas continues to grow and we are feeding information back to Wello about some the problems which have been encountered with wear on the WaterWheels which have been in use for the past year. Wello have agreed to replace any damaged WaterWheels and they are keen to learn how the design can be improved for the next version.

It is very encouraging to have been in a position to see a further 275 WaterWheels being distributed to families in different locations across India and especially for the 100 which went to support communities affected by the recent severe drought. We could not have done this without your continued support which is very much appreciated.  We value your partnership with us in the WaterWheel project. We would be very grateful if you would continue tell your friends and others in your wider networks about this project.