One widow's wish for water and how a water cistern made it come true

JERUSALEM-WESTBANK-GAZA - After decades of raising her family of ten with her husband, Kamla Abu Jarrad found herself alone at the age of fifty. Life became more difficult after her husband’s death, and, for the first time, she was left to struggle alone to support herself and her children. The only inheritance from Kamla’s late husband was a four-dunum (almost one acre) piece of land in the Gaza Strip. Kamla began to sow her land with the help of her three disabled children, who still live with her at home.

“Some widows struggle for a while until their children become mature and have the responsibility of the family, but with disabled children, I have to support them all my life,” says Kamla. “Life is much different today than what it used to be. Several years ago, I used to stay at home with the children while my husband went to work to support the family, but it is nothing like that after my husband’s death,” says Kamla. She had no choice but to borrow money from sympathetic relatives and neighbours in order to pay for the seedlings and water for irrigation. But Kamla was steadfast.

Every winter, I used to pray for much rainfall to irrigate my vegetables. But even when there was heavy rainfall, I had no cistern for collecting rain water

In a low voice, she explained, “The major problem for me was in getting water for irrigation. Every winter, I used to pray for much rainfall to irrigate my vegetables. But even when there was heavy rainfall, I had no cistern for collecting rain water”.

For Kamla, water was a particular problem because she needed the funds to buy it and then transport it to her fields. Often times, Kamla walked long distances in order to collect drinking water, but carrying large quantities for the irrigation of her land was much more challenging. For several years, Kamla remained dependent on seasonal rains, resulting in extremely low yields.

The need here is dire, and World Vision is excited to be part of helping people rebuild their lives

Thanks to World Vision, Kamla and other poor farmers are being empowered through the Agriculture Development and Integrated Livelihoods (ADIL) project, funded by USAID. The aim of the ADIL project is to contribute to the economic recovery, food security, and stabilisation of impoverished communities in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. It created short-term employment through cash-for-work employment, and contributed to longer-term economic recovery through rehabilitation of private agricultural lands and water cisterns.

“The need here is dire, and World Vision is excited to be part of helping people rebuild their lives,” says Gaza local and North Gaza Area Development Programme Manager Mohammad El Halaby.

Life for the almost 1.5 million inhabitants of the Gaza Strip is not an easy one. The Israeli invasion of Gaza in late 2008 killed about 14,000 Gazans and plunged Gazans into the worst humanitarian emergency since 1967. The complete blockade of Gaza, in place since June 2007, has further crippled the Gazan economy and exacerbated the deteriorating living conditions. According to reports by the United Nations, 80% of its residents are dependent on food aid or other forms of humanitarian assistance.

When World Vision began the project, staff developed criteria for selecting farmers who would benefit from land reclamation, seedlings, and water cisterns. The ADIL project team developed reliable partnerships with the local farmers committee. Well-placed publicity for ADIL allowed many farmers from the selected areas to apply for the project. Kamla was one of the many who applied and was accepted.

Work soon began on Kamla’s land in digging a water cistern for water collection and later, land irrigation. Her dream was soon to become a reality. Kamla would be nearby watching the workers for hours. She would happily encourage the workers. “I will bring you tea, or do you prefer food?” Not much time would go by before one of Kamla’s disabled sons would walk up bringing teapots and cups.

The Project Foreman explained, “We worked, filled with enthusiasm and energy, because she deserves support and help.” At last the large hole which had been dug in the ground was lined with plastic, filled with water, covered with mesh, and surrounded with a safety fence. Finally, Kamla had her own water cistern.

Saed Said, ADIL agronomist told Kamla, “We have finished our work, and now, you will have to start yours.” The glow in her eyes and pronounced cheeks indicated that beneath her face cover was a huge smile, and Kamla exclaimed, “We will no longer have to pay money for water! God bless you and thank you to whoever helped us.”

Considering the ongoing Israeli imposed blockade on Gaza, it is not surprising that poverty and duress affect an overwhelming majority of the population

Kamla has already planted peas and collard and irrigated her existing olive trees. She will not have to depend purely on rainfall for irrigation. She has had a successful yield and was able to sell some of her produce and help to support her sons. One of Kamla’s sons expressed his gratitude, “Thank you for helping us and for helping those poor workers. You created a source of income for our family and their families.”

Through the one-year ADIL project, World Vision has been able to help support 600 households, as well as provide opportunities for work for 808 skilled and unskilled workers.

“Considering the ongoing Israeli imposed blockade on Gaza, it is not surprising that poverty and duress affect an overwhelming majority of the population,” says World Vision Gaza Programme Director, Siobhan Kimmerle. “Our teams of staff and community workers face a daunting challenge as we undertake recovery initiatives in the field while faced with the realities of the fragility of life in the Gaza Strip. It’s when we can come alongside someone like Kamla and tip the balance of family survival back in her favour. It’s then that we also share in the sense of hope and possibility for Gazan children and their families.”

The water cistern has not only provided life to Kamla’s land but also hope for her family. Happily, she invited the ADIL project team to come to her son’s wedding. “I now have money to support my son to get married; you must come and join the celebration!”