Safe water in the midst of drought
"It's really nice here, when it's raining. Without rain, there is no water."
For decades, Hilberto and Luiza have called Brazil's rural region of Ouro Branco home. They built their lives here, raising livestock and living off the land. But in recent years, they've observed that the familiar rhythms of nature have shifted. Rains have slowed and periods of drought have increased.
When droughts dried up their water sources, Hilberto used to cook cactus plants to extract water from them for his cattle.
The couple raise livestock for a living. It is critical they have water to keep their cattle, sheep, and goats healthy.
To overcome their challenges of life without a reliable source of water, Hilberto spent most of his days collecting it. When the nearby river ran dry, Hilberto turned to his neighbors, paying them for water when he could. It was a daily struggle yet, he had no choice. He and Luiza needed water to survive.
While describing the drought periods, Luiza shared, "It gets so dry, not even birds can drink."
The couple sought help. Through our local partners in Brazil, Hilberto and Luiza were able to finance their own safe water solution. At first, they financed a well on their property. Hilberto fondly remembers the day they drilled the well, "It was pure joy!"
While the well provided a consistent flow of water, Hilberto and Luiza needed a place to capture and store rainwater during the rainy season. Storing more water would help them endure the longer, seemingly more frequent dry seasons.
Financing their well and storage tank is something Hilberto and Luiza are proud to do. The sense of ownership they have for what financing made possible overflows into their care and gratitude for the lasting solutions.
With additional financing, Hilberto and Luiza built a masonry water tank next to their home. This reservoir could safely hold plenty of rainwater, ensuring they would have enough to last through the driest months.
Thankful for her new water well and storage tank, Luiza shared, "I don't have to haul water to my house anymore."
Today, the couple's struggle for water is over. Their well and water storage tank represent resilience and hope, safeguarding the couple and their farm animals from the growing uncertainty of climate change.
