For years, women and children in this remote community of Agereger in Uganda have shouldered the burden of water scarcity, walking for hours to fetch water from unreliable and often unsafe sources. Now, a glimmer of hope is on the horizon, thanks to the Water Plus project spearheaded by Odenaansan Canada and implemented by the Odenaansan team in Uganda supported by Fidelitas.
Every day before dawn, Grace Alupo, a 34-year-old mother of five, begins her two-hour trek to a small hand-held water pump often shared with livestock. Carrying heavy jerrycans on her head, she navigates unsafe paths to secure just enough water for cooking, washing, and drinking.
“We often drink from the same source as the animals. Sometimes, the water makes my children sick, but what choice do we have?” Grace admits,
"It gets even harder in the dry seasons, when the pumps go dry and we have to risk climbing rocks to draw water that usually collects in the rocks in the rainy season."
This daily struggle leaves little time for education or income-generating activities. Like Grace, countless women in Agereger are trapped in a cycle where water scarcity dictates their lives. The situation is dire, but their resilience and hope remain steadfast.
During a recent meeting with the Agereger clan members, the enthusiasm for the Water Plus project was palpable. Elders like Constant Omuge voiced their gratitude for the initiative, expressing full support for Odenaansan Uganda,
The Water Plus project aims to rehabilitate two non-functional boreholes and introduce sustainable rainwater harvesting systems, providing a reliable water supply to the community. It’s a vision that promises to transform lives and unlock Agereger’s economic potential. Beyond the immediate benefits of clean water, the project focuses on empowering women and children. By reducing the time spent on water collection, women like Grace can explore economic opportunities, while children can attend school without interruption.
“I dream of a day when my daughter can go to school without worrying about fetching water.” Grace shares.
The Water Plus project is a long-term sustainability approach. Plans include installing solar-powered pumping systems, educating the community on water conservation, and ensuring local ownership of the infrastructure. John Odolon, one of the founding members of Water Plus, looks forward to the future of the initiative: