Amina Hassan* had spent her entire life navigating the harsh realities of nomadic existence in the arid plains near Afweyn village. But nothing prepared her for the grief that came with losing her eldest child, 8-year-old Farah, to a preventable tragedy. The shallow well that supplied their IDP camp—a gaping, unprotected pit—had claimed his life one scorching afternoon when he slipped and fell in while fetching water.
For Amina, every trip to the well afterward was a haunting reminder. “I could still hear his laughter echoing near that cursed hole,” she whispered, her voice trembling. She balanced a 20-liter jerrycan of murky water on her back, its weight a fraction of the burden she carried. The water, contaminated with rubbish and debris tossed in by children, gave her younger ones constant diarrhea. Yet, with no alternatives, she returned daily, praying history wouldn’t repeat itself.
When PMWDO’s WASH team surveyed the camp, Amina’s story stood out. “Mothers shouldn’t have to choose between thirst and their children’s lives,” said the team lead, noting how the uncovered well endangered hundreds.
Actions
- Rehabilitated the shallow well with UNICEF funding, installing a hand pump and protective cover to prevent accidents and contamination.
- Trained 15 community volunteers (including Amina) to maintain the well and promote hygiene practices.
- Conducted camp-wide awareness sessions on safe water storage and child safety near water points.
Outcomes
The initiative yielded remarkable results:
- Zero water-related deaths in the camp since the well’s rehabilitation.
- 85% reduction in waterborne diseases reported at nearby clinics.
- Women’s Empowerment: Amina now leads the camp’s WASH committee. “This pump gives more than water—it gives us time,” she says. “My daughters now go to school instead of walking miles to dirty ponds.”
- Scaled Impact: PMWDO replicated the model in 3 other villages, benefiting 1,200+ households.
When I see my children drink clean water, I feel Farah’s spirit is at peace. This well is his legacy
(*Name changed for privacy)