Water for Hamid's family and his friends

When Hamid first moved to Mbuzini for work, an all-too-familiar concern followed his family—Hamid quickly realized that water would continue to be a daily struggle. Hamid and his family had to travel by bicycle, hauling heavy vessels of water back and forth from town where they purchased the water. “One trip was never enough,” Hamid explained. “It would take three or even four trips to get enough water for the day.”

The time spent sourcing water—sometimes up to two hours waiting in line—meant less time for work, school, and family. It also came at a cost. Hamid explained, “Not having water readily available had many negative effects. First, in terms of time, finding water was time consuming and second, it required us to spend money to get water.”

As longtime members of Jumuiya ya Changamoto, Water.org’s local partner bank in the region, Hamid consulted with a loan officer to get advice on how he might solve his family’s water access problem. With guidance from a loan officer named Brahman, he mapped out a plan—a 1,000-litre tank, a pump, pipes, and connectors. All of these materials financed with a small loan made it possible to bring water directly to Hamid’s home.

After the construction of his water connection was complete, the impact was immediate. “That first evening, we felt a sense of relief like a great weight had been lifted off our shoulders,” Hamid recalls, “Everything would now be easier.” His wife could cook freely, the bathroom was usable at any time, and the challenges of daily water collection were gone.

The safe water solution not only helped improve daily life for Hamid’s family. Hamid installed a tap outside his home so neighbors could access water too. “I give it to them at no charge,” he said, “In solving my family’s water problem, I’ve found a way that also benefits my surrounding neighbors.”

With water flowing at home, Hamid’s family found new rhythms. “We now have time to play with the children and spend time together,” he says. “Before, I’d come home from work and have to figure out how to get water. It was very stressful.”

The benefits extended to their land as well. Living on the outskirts of the city, Hamid began planting coconut trees, banana trees, and vegetables he waters with the water he has access to on his property. “Now, on a day when money is tight,” he says, “we just pick vegetables from the garden, cook, and call it a day.”

Repaying the loan has not been difficult for Hamid. He explained that for him and his wife, it is a matter of budgeting like any other household expense. And the return on that investment? More time. A healthy family. A thriving produce garden. And neighborhood relationships strengthened by generosity.