Rebuilding: Women return water to their village

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

The road is unpaved, the sun unforgiving. The vehicle slowly crosses the rocky path going up to the hills of Majuwa village.

At the end of the road, a group of women wearing colourful traditional dresses and accessories are digging in the soil. They're getting ready to lay water pipelines.

“Namaste,” they call out, putting their hands together and smiling as we approach. 

 

 

 

Devastated Majuwa

The families from Majuwa village had barely recovered from the impact of the 7.9 April 25 earthquake that hit Nepal when a new earthquake struck on May 12.

This time, the epicentre was closer.

Of the 72 houses, only 2 of them still stand. The rest have collapsed.

“The two big tremors have turned our lives up side down. We know we couldn’t do it alone,” says Rishi Prashad, a village official from Majuwa.

Being far from the Nepal's capital city of Kathmandu, Majuwa village is one of the poorest villages in Nepal. People primarily rely on agriculture, particularly corn farming. However, because the village is too remote, farmers have been having a difficult time getting their harvest to market.

The relief efforts to the communities close to Kathmandu seem to be numerous. But further away, in Majuwa and other remote areas, aid has arrived slowly and needs still remain. 

No food and water

Aside from the damaged houses, the most pressing concern in Majuwa is access to clean water. The earthquake damaged the water pipelines and they couldn't be fixed.

“I worried about my children. We had no enough water and food days after the earthquake. Our house was also damaged,” says Silmaya, a mother of three.

Immediately after the major tremors, World Vision sent a team to help affected communities.

“When we came here, there was no access to water including toilet and the houses were totally damaged. Since it’s a very remote village, aid was very difficult,” says Rajesh Pasupuleti, World Vision Earthquake Response, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Manager.

People walked more than 25 minutes uphill to get water. They drank it even though it was dirty.

Women in Rebuilding

Responding to the immediate needs for survival, World Vision distributed tarpaulin, blankets, mats, mosquito nets, jerry cans, ropes, hygiene kits, aqua tabs, and solar lamps to 350 individuals of Majuwa village.

To overcome the water crisis, women volunteered to be part of World Vision's water and sanititation projects.

“The point here is for the affected people to be part of the process of rebuilding, not only as victims but also as people who can become agents of change, who can rise above their situation,” says Ramjesh.

Silmaya and other women in the village are determined to help one another.

Now, four water faucets and three toilets have been established in the village through World Vision’s assistance and in partnership with the local government.

From walking 25 minutes to fetch water, now, community people can get it for only 25 steps away to the faucets.

 

“We are very grateful to have water and toilets now,” Silmaya added.

 

For Silmaya’s community, to bounce back means being given a holistic intervention that not only reduces community vulnerability but also paves the way for long-term rehabilitation – one that prioritizes affected peoples’ needs and aspirations is needed.

“This is a simple task for us butit offers an opportunity for the community to begin a process of recovery and rebuilding,” says Anju Kumar, a teacher from Majuwa Elementary School.

For Silmaya, recovery means having a simple life – being able to put food and water, having a good and secure shelter, good health, being able to send their children to school.

The taps and toliets are a step to recovery, but there's more to do.

“We hope that better days will come soon,” says Silmaya.