Annette, a headmistress, used to struggle to collect enough water for her extended family. She would walk to the borehole before and after school but she could only carry half a jerry can at a time due to her disability. The family needed 5 jerry cans of water a day – which would mean walking 10 miles. ‘Before we had the rainwater harvesting tank we couldn’t always wash our plates and cups and had to leave them dirty,’ explains Annette. ‘The flies would come and spread germs and the children would get sick. Often we didn’t have enough water to wash our clothes either.’ What is life like now they’ve got the tank? ‘Life is so much better, the children rarely fall ill and we can keep clean. Forty of our neighbours can also use the tank and it has made the community a very friendly place, everyone is so happy.’ ‘Before the tank two out of my seven children would be sick every week. When they got typhoid and were hospitalised I had to pay USh 40,000 (£10) for their treatment. Most of my annual salary of USh 200,0000 (£50) went on hospital bills.’ With the money Annette saved on medicine she bought a baby goat for USh 60,000 (£15), which she is about to sell 18 months later, for 200,000 (£50) – making a tidy profit! ‘It’s a good business. It doesn’t cost much to feed the goat and she’s about to have kids too – I hope to have 10 goats eventually and then I’ll use the money I’ve made to build a house and rent it out.’ Annette is an amazing lady who is lifting herself out of poverty – slowly and surely! A Rainwater Harvesting Tank costs £250. If you would like to donate one, we will install it! bit.ly/1yH8zD6
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 11:15:00 +0000
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