Solar powered drinking water for Badghis communities

At an inauguration ceremony on 02 June, 2016 World Vision Afghanistan handed over two water networks to communities of Qadis district of Badghis in the presence of religious leaders, the Deputy Provincial Governor, Director of the Rural Rehabilitation and Development Department, Deputy of the Provincial Council, and representatives from other government departments.

The construction of these two water networks will enable families to have access to safe drinking water in an area of the province where the lack of such access is a very serious issue. Until these networks were built, approximately 1,200 school age children had to walk 15 kilometres to collect drinking water for their family’s consumption. Now today, that water is available to all households right in their own village and the children no longer have that burden of labour each day. But not only that, this clean drinking water will reduce the incidence of diarrheal diseases and other water-borne illnesses among the children.

Speaking at the hand over ceremony, Faiz Mohammad Mirzazada, Deputy Provincial Governor of Badghis said, “World Vision has always assisted the communities in Badghis in every way possible. They have always been considering the needs of the rural communities in their projects. Today is a very important day in the lives of Qadis residents. They no longer need to stop their children from going to school in order to collect water.”

 The water networks include two wells, two high volume water storage tanks, and solar panel powered pumps that pump water from the wells to the tanks. Through a network of gravity-fed pipes and tap stands throughout the villages, clean drinking water is now available to over 400 households.

Using community participation and to ensure sustainability, World Vision also established water management groups comprised of trained community members to maintain the water networks.

World Vision Badghis Zonal Manager, Mr. Barekzay said, “World Vision has always involved the communities in design and implementation of all its projects, and this has increased the likelihood that project accomplishments will be sustainability. I understand your problems in regards to the lack of clean drinking water. The focus of World Vision is upon vulnerable children and their families, and as long as we are here in your communities, we will do our best to serve you. I would like to thank all our stakeholders for their partnership over the years.”

Thanks to Common Humanitarian Fund-Afghanistan and World Vision New Zealand for their financial support