Walking…

for water

Water is essential for life. We use it for lots of different things.

Can you think of some uses for water?

When we want to have a drink or wash we can just

turn on the tap.

But for some people getting clean water can be much

more difficult.

Let’s find out how life has changed for villagers in southern Zambia by working together with CAFOD. The village of Kalisowe

is in the south of Zambia. Kalisowe means ‘lost place’.

During the drought villagers used to walk 15km to the nearest water supply!

When they arrived they would have to dig to get the water before facing the long walk home again.

People had to travel for six hours to get water. They would be so tired when they got back they couldn’t do anything else. Different people had to go each day because no-one could do it

everyday – it was too tiring!

John Hamuseye

So how have things changed?

Two water pumps have been fitted in the village. One pumps water by hand and

the other pump is solar powered!

Everybody in the village worked together to help put in the pumps.

We didn’t know the sun could pump water!

We are all really happy with the solar pump, it has

changed our lives!John Hamuseye

Now fresh, clean water is pumped to the school, the village and the school garden.

The school has a healthy vegetable garden and the children are learning how to look after their plants.

And 300 families have access to clean water!

What a difference fresh water has made to the villagers in Kalisowe!

“We are very grateful that God gave us people like CAFOD… Before we didn’t have water,

but now we do!”

Elisias Myambo

Clean water =

better health

www.cafod.org.uk/primary

Photos by:Ashenafi Gudefa/ EthiopiaLives.net,

Simon Rawles, Sean Sprague, Caroline Irby,

Leticia Valverdes.

August 2007