They line up at dawn, stoic, like good soldiers, some attached to each other, others messy and a little banged up, however all have tremendous discipline to hold the water of the day. They are yellow, orange or even green and all from Bouassa…
This is how things happen in the village. Early in the morning the water-pump manager removes the padlock that blocks the pump. The Water Users Committee, which we set up, decided that the pump would not be available at night so as not to disturb the neighborhood. Even before the opening, the locals come to deposit their cans or their 200 liter drums to reserve their spot in the line near the pump. Then the pumping begins. It is relatively hard to operate the pump, the water comes from deep into the ground and we must apply a lot of strength to get the merry gurgling of the beautiful drinking water! But everyone gets into it with zeal, with laughter, sometimes with splashes and even songs. The entire community gathers around the pump. There are those that pump, those waiting to pump, friends passing through, children who go to school and take a break on the way, dogs, goats and even sheep!
The water-pump manager has made herself a small straw shelter under which she has set up her wooden stand where we will be able to buy small bags of peanuts, throughout the day, that we can shell and eat as we wait in line. This will allow us to snack on something as we wait to carry the water home. And it also gives the hens something to peck at as they will soon join the water-pump community.
Whenever a water patron fills up their yellow or orange canisters, they pay the water-pump manager. 20 liters costs 5 FCFA (€ 0.0076 / $ 0.0084). Buying on credit is not allowed.
At the end of the day, when the sun sets, the water-pump manager sweeps the area to keep it clean, she waters the few mango trees that have been planted in recent weeks, and then returns the daily turnover to the president of the Water Users Committee. The president, then gives her 200FCFA for her daily food, and at the end of the month, she will receive a small compensation 10 000FCFA, with that she is very happy!
The sun has set and the deep night has settled. Everyone has had their water and wait for tomorrow to see their water containers, jugs and cans from Bouassa…
Because we still believe…
THE SOLUTION:
ONE WELL PER VILLAGE:
We believe people, not water, can change everything! When you sponsor Well Drilling Project in Burkina Faso, Africa you’ll unlock the potential of an entire community! #Burkina