Clean Water Means More
Providing clean water for a community that has never had onsite access to it can often hold significance far beyond the expectation of donors and implementers. It ignites profound expressions of happiness.
Water Scarcity
Kordorwukope is a modest community located in the Volta Region of Ghana. My first visit to the community was in 2018. Scenes of women and children trekking, carrying heavy loads of water ‘greeted us’ on our way to the community. In each household, I saw clay pots for water storage purposes. Also, littered across every household were the colourful “kuffour gallons”. In Ghana, these water collection containers are synonymous with water scarcity. Hence, they are common in communities that suffer this injustice.
We saw the beautiful twin wells at the outskirts of the community. One of the wells was virtually dry and the twin contained water that had a milky appearance. These observations vividly threw light on the extent of water insecurity in the community.
Good News
Guess why we were there? To officially inform the community that International Needs Ghana (my employer) had secured funding to extend clean water to their community in response to their request. It was a moment filled with joy as the community cheered enthusiastically.
Soon after, project implementation commenced. We adopted a participatory approach to implement the project and the community took charge of trench excavation. The initiative rejuvenated the strength of the ‘grey citizens’ who actively participated in excavating the trench. Chiefs in Ghanaian communities would typically perform supervisory roles during such projects. However, Torgbui Agbobi set his title aside and joined the action. They completed the trench excavation after some weeks of work. The plumber took over and completed all plumbing tasks.
Anticipation
Now, the eagerly anticipated moment was at hand. Every community member wanted to see and hear the sound of the very first drop of potable piped water that evening as promised by the Water Agency. So, the wait was on! I left the community for my lodge as it was getting dark, hoping to return the next day to see the tap flowing. Contrary to my expectations, the tap did not flow as promised by the Water Agency. As I later found out, this was due to some technical mishaps. The disappointment among the community members, especially the chief was palpable.
Clean Water – Just Like a Bride
In his attempt to convey his dissatisfaction, he made a statement that described the community’s profound value for clean water. He said: “we waited all night for the water, like a bridegroom awaiting his bride…”. Wow! Water, like a bride? Indeed, people are ‘experts of their experiences’. This metaphor offered a new perspective on water, highlighting its significance to the water-insecure community of Kordorwukope.
Later that day, the Water Agency resolved the challenge. The long awaited ‘bride’ arrived in all her beauty. I saw the brightest smiles and expressions of joy, signifying rest from water related struggles. It was a new beginning with hope ‘to live happily ever after’ with the new bride. Indeed, water holds diverse meanings for different people. To the people of Kordorwukope, water is just like a bride.
What interesting metaphors for water have you come across? Please share in comment section below.
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