water warriors with a passion to tranform their communities
WATER WARRIORS success stories
Bangladesh
— Safe Water for Sharifa and Family
Sharifa faced many challenges in securing safe water for her family. She recounted, “I walked 20 minutes to collect water from a pond. It was difficult. We used to drink the water, bathe in it, use it for washing, and even cook with it. As a mother of young children, the effort to find and collect water was compounded by the distress of seeing her children get sick from the only water she could provide. She knew she couldn’t afford the upfrony cost of installing a tube well. Fortunately, Sharifa learned from our local partner in Bangladesh, TMSS, that she and her husband could finance the solution they needed through a manageable loan, repaying it in small installments over time. Now, the safe water solution that once seemed out of reach has become a crucial part of Sharifa’s life. She proudly reflects on the positive impact it has had on her family’s health and well-being.
Pakistan
— Shahida's Water Initiative
Shahida Khan, a primary school teacher in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, started a local campaign to educate children and families about the importance of water conservation. She designed water conservation workshops at her school, where she taught children practical ways to reduce water waste in their homes and communities. Shahida being a water warrior included lessons on fixing leaky taps, using water-efficient techniques for agriculture, and the importance of recycling water for non-drinking purposes. Her initiative inspired neighboring schools to adopt similar programs, creating a ripple effect across the region.
Mexico
— Community Driven Water Banks
In the semi-arid regions of Mexico, where water scarcity is a persistent challenge, especially during the dry season, innovative women-led cooperatives have been transforming the way communities manage water. These cooperatives have introduced community water banks, a system that captures, stores, and distributes rainwater to households and small farms during times of need. The women leading the initiative also implemented basic filtration systems to ensure the stored water is safe for drinking and cooking.
India
— Schoolgirl Water Warrior
In the drought-prone state of Jharkhand, India, where access to clean water is a persistent challenge, 12-year-old Anjali Kumari emerged as a water-saving warrior for her family and community as they experienced the hardships caused by water scarcity. Determined to make efforts, she collected rainwater in earthen jars to ensure her family had drinking water during the dry season. She encouraged her friends to do the same, teaching them to save rainwater and filter it using simple cloth methods.
Pakistan
—Sanaullah - Desert Water Carrier
Sanaullah, a humble camel herder, became a local water warrior by taking on the responsibility of delivering water to some of the most remote and isolated villages in the area. Each day, Sanaullah would use his camel, a reliable means of transport in the desert, to carry barrels of water from the nearest well to families who had no other access to clean drinking water. He became a symbol of community care, embodying selflessness in a region where people rely heavily on their local network for survival. With his camel, he was able to reach those who otherwise would have had to walk long distances to fetch water, and he often did so with no expectation of compensation.