More Than Just a Resource

Angella getting water from the newly constructed borehole

For Angella’s community, nestled in a remote village in the Rubirizi district, one change has been instrumental in improving their quality of life and addressing developmental barriers – safe access to clean water. Until a year ago, accessing clean water for daily activities was a challenge. “I would spend countless hours fetching water from distant sources, and it was a daily struggle. I used to spend so much time getting water, and we never had enough for cleaning or proper hygiene,” Angella recalls. An unreliable water source and long hours spent fetching water were a source of anxiety for the community. The hours spent collecting water not only diverted time and energy away from economic activities but also perpetuated inequity, as women and girls shouldered the majority of this responsibility. This imbalance further limited their ability to engage in income-generating opportunities, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to development.

One of the old, uncovered spring wells that was used by the community members earlier.

In 2024, Angella’s community partnered with RTV to sustainably enhance household incomes. While the program’s core focus was on boosting incomes through agriculture and small business initiatives, a key part of it was addressing systemic barriers and fostering an enabling environment for community participation. During the initial consultations, access to clean water emerged as a significant barrier to overall development. The community members identified easily accessible spots to construct two new sources – a spring tank and a borehole. Once built, WASH and Water User Committees were established to ensure that the community sustainability manages the operations and maintenance independently. Training sessions were also conducted on good hygiene practices, such as handwashing and using pit latrines and tippy taps. The impact on the community’s life was immediate and evident.

The change has been profound for Angella. With the borehole just a short walk from her home, her family has ample water for drinking, cleaning, and washing. This has freed up her time, allowing her to focus on tending her gardens and participating in the Women’s Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). “After we got the borehole near my home, combined with the improved farming practices taught to us, I started growing crops on a larger scale. I started selling harvests to increase my income. I also started a small business selling a local beverage to the community,” shared Angella, “Clean water has given me the time to improve my life and support my family.”

Partner community members fetch water from the spring tank.

James, a local leader in Angella’s community, highlights the broader impact of clean water on the community. Water-related illnesses like diarrhea and typhoid were common before the spring tank and borehole were built, affecting productivity and development. “People were often sick, and it held us back,” he explains. Since the introduction of clean water, these illnesses have declined significantly. “Our community is healthier now, and people can work and contribute more effectively,” James adds. The community has also taken ownership of maintaining the water sources, holding regular meetings to discuss hygiene practices, and organizing maintenance every Friday. “Every village is given a date for when they will maintain the water sources, and village WASH champions take on the responsibility of mobilizing community members to clean the sources. Also, every month, each household contributes UGX 1,000 to cater for damages and repairs like replacing broken taps and labor,” James shared.

James, a local community leader highlights the broader impact of clean water on the community

For Conslata, a single mother of four, the new water sources have eliminated the dangers of fetching water from unsafe locations like crater lakes. “I no longer worry about the risks of fetching water. It’s safe, close by, and my children, who would sometimes help me get water, are no longer exposed to danger,” she says. Similarly, Peace and Juliet, two other community members, emphasize how access to clean water has transformed their daily routines. “I used to spend so much time fetching water that I had little left for my family or other tasks,” Peace explains. “Now, I can prepare meals on time and spend more time with my children.” Juliet adds, “I have more time for farming and household chores, which has made life easier.”

Juliet after fetching water from the spring tank.

With clean water complemented by various training sessions on agriculture and cooperatives and good quality tools and seeds, the community has been overcoming barriers and improving their household incomes. “I’ve learned to make organic manure, which has increased my farm yields. I’ve also built a tippy tap for handwashing and improved sanitation at home,” Angella says. These small changes have collectively improved the quality of life for many households. For Angella, James, Conslata, and others, clean water is more than a resource—it’s a foundation for a healthier, more economically productive, and brighter future for their community.

Angella washes her hands on a tippy tap after visiting the latrine.

Be part of our journey. Support last-mile communities by supporting Raising The Village. 

Let’s Stay Connected

Raising The Village (RTV) partners with last-mile, rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa and develops holistic initiatives that pave the pathway out of ultra-poverty towards economic self-sufficiency within 24 months. Our programs focus on improving agricultural incomes through training and providing agricultural inputs, diversifying income streams, removing barriers to participation such as lack of access to health, water, financial inclusion, and food security, and promoting healthy behaviors including adopting healthy WASH and gender equity practices. Since 2016, we have impacted the lives of more than 665,000 people in last-mile villages in Uganda and increased household incomes and earnings by 138% in 24 months.