"Mary uses the time she used to spend collecting water to run a small village shop."
It’s hard to imagine the daily struggle of life without safe, readily available water. But for many people living in some African countries this is a daily reality.
However, many benefits of the developments being made in water supply are having a positive impact, especially upon women. Women in many rural Africa households spend on average more than a quarter of their lives fetching water, and as the main collectors of water it is often women’s lives that change the most dramatically.
A WaterAid well in a village in the Plateau State of Nigeria has transformed one such lady’s life. Mary Chuckle and her five children used to spend two hours every day trekking down to a nearby river to get their water. Not only was this very time consuming, but it was also dangerous, as the river water was not safe to drink.
Mary uses the time she used to spend collecting water to run a small village shop, where she sells soap. Having recently learned about the importance of sanitation and hygiene she wants to make sure cleaning products are available for everybody in her community.
Today Mary is a much happier lady. Her children are seldom ill, and now she can afford to send them to school. With clean water and an education, she has given them every chance of a brighter, healthier future.
Provided by WaterAid
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