In the rural community of Bussi, access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) has long been a challenge. Many families rely on distant, contaminated water sources, and basic sanitation facilities are often inadequate or non-existent. As a result, waterborne diseases are rampant, and the lack of proper hygiene education leaves people vulnerable to preventable illnesses. However, with the support of RACHI’s WASH program, the community is experiencing a transformation—one that is improving health, dignity, and quality of life for everyone.
Meet Esther, a 42-year-old mother of five. Like many others in Bussi, Esther’s daily routine revolved around the struggle for clean water. Every morning, she would wake up before dawn and walk several kilometers to the nearest well. The water from this well was often cloudy, and she never knew if it was safe to drink. Still, it was the only option available to her family.
The walk for water was grueling, especially during the dry season when the well would run low. But Esther had no choice. She would carry heavy jerry cans of water back home, where she would use it for cooking, cleaning, and drinking—hoping it wouldn’t make her children sick. The long hours spent fetching water left her little time to tend to her household chores or care for her children. Moreover, the lack of proper sanitation facilities meant that Esther’s family had to rely on open defecation, which exposed them to disease.
One day, Esther learned about a new initiative in her village: RACHI’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program. This initiative was aimed at providing access to clean, safe water, building proper sanitation facilities, and educating the community on hygiene practices to reduce the spread of disease. Esther was skeptical at first—having faced so many challenges before—but she decided to attend one of RACHI’s community meetings to learn more.
At the meeting, Esther was introduced to the concept of improved water sources—like boreholes—and the importance of proper sanitation. She learned about the potential health risks of using contaminated water and improper waste disposal, as well as simple hygiene practices like handwashing with soap that could prevent many diseases. She also learned that RACHI was working on drilling a borehole in her village, providing clean water to her community for the first time.
The project became a reality. RACHI installed a borehole near Esther’s home, making clean, safe water accessible for the first time in years. No longer did she have to endure the long walk to the distant well. The borehole water was fresh, clear, and free from contamination, and it was available year-round. Esther was overjoyed—this single change brought convenience and a sense of security to her family’s daily life.
But RACHI didn’t stop at just providing clean water. Along with the borehole, the WASH program built proper sanitation facilities, including latrines with privacy for women and children, which was a huge improvement over the open defecation that had been common in the area. RACHI also conducted hygiene education campaigns, teaching families like Esther’s how to use clean water, store it safely, and practice handwashing with soap to prevent disease.
Esther embraced these new practices with enthusiasm. She made sure her children washed their hands before meals and after using the toilet, something that hadn’t been a part of her routine before. She also started using the clean water for cooking, which reduced the number of waterborne illnesses her children had suffered from in the past. With the new latrine in place, she no longer had to worry about the unsanitary conditions that had once put her family’s health at risk.
Esther’s family saw an immediate improvement. Her children, who had often suffered from diarrhea and other preventable diseases, grew healthier. Her daily life became less burdensome, as she no longer had to spend hours collecting water or worrying about illness. More importantly, Esther began to feel a renewed sense of hope for her family’s future.
The positive changes in Esther’s life were felt throughout the community. The borehole, latrines, and hygiene education helped to reduce the spread of waterborne diseases, and more families embraced better sanitation and hygiene practices. As the community’s health improved, so did its sense of unity. People who once struggled with the same challenges now came together to maintain the borehole and sanitation facilities, ensuring that everyone had access to clean water and safe sanitation.
Today, Esther is not just a beneficiary of the WASH program—she is an advocate for it. She shares her story with others in her village, encouraging them to embrace the new practices and ensure that the gains made in water, sanitation, and hygiene are sustained for future generations. She has seen firsthand the transformative power of clean water and proper sanitation, and she is proud to be part of a community that is improving its health and well-being.
RACHI’s WASH program has changed more than just the daily routines of individuals like Esther—it has transformed entire communities. By providing access to clean water, building proper sanitation facilities, and promoting hygiene education, the program is creating a healthier, more resilient community where children are thriving, diseases are prevented, and families have hope for a better future.
Join us in continuing this important work. Your support can help bring clean water, better sanitation, and improved hygiene to more communities, changing lives one step at a time.
