Hope becomes reality

Since settling in Kaburaisoke North village in 1973, 74-year-old Kellen Binsobiire has endured a grueling decades-long struggle for water. After migrating from Kigezi in search of a more prosperous future, Kellen quickly found that the scarcity of clean water would become the defining hardship of her life. For over fifty years, she was forced to trek to a traditional water source located six kilometers away, a round trip that demanded immense physical resilience every single day.

As the years passed, the physical toll of carrying heavy jerrycans across such vast distances became increasingly unbearable. Despite her aging body and the growing exhaustion, Kellen had few alternatives; the cost of hiring help was prohibitive, as transporting a single jerrycan to her home typically cost 1,000 Uganda shillings. This left her with the difficult choice between enduring physical pain or facing a significant financial burden just to meet her basic needs.

The recent installation of a public water stand directly within her compound has brought both physical and financial relief to the household. Kellen’s daughter, Adreinne Kobusinge, noted that the family previously spent 10,000 shillings to have just ten jerrycans delivered. Now, with water accessible on their own property, the cost has plummeted to just 100 shillings per jerrycan, finally ending a half-century of struggle for the Binsobiire family. 

The long-held dream of accessible water finally turned into reality for Kellen, when the piped water system reached Kaburaisoke North. Through the JESE WASH, Learn, and Share program – an initiative funded by SIMAVI – a public tap stand was installed directly within Kellen’s compound. This project brought safe, clean water to her doorstep, ending a lifetime of arduous journeys. Reflecting on the moment she learned of the installation, Kellen recalled her disbelief and profound gratitude, feeling as though her prayers for relief had finally been answered.

Beyond the convenience of proximity, the tap stand has empowered Kellen with a new sense of purpose and financial stability. Now serving as the official tap stand attendant, she manages the water point for her entire neighborhood. This role allows her to earn a commission after covering the monthly utility bills, providing a steady stream of income. These savings are vital for her household, enabling her to purchase daily essentials and cover the educational expenses for her orphaned grandchild. 

“Now I do not walk long distances. I sell water, earn a little money, and still have energy to rest and care for my family,” Kellen explains. “Water coming to my home has changed my life. I feel respected, and I no longer suffer like before. It is never too late; I never lost hope until water came home,” Kellen continues.

Today, clean water flows where hardship once lived, proving that even after many years of struggle, change is possible.

“I am very grateful to Simavi and JESE through the WASH, Learn & Share project for bringing clean water to my home and community. Because of their support, I no longer walk long distances for water, and my life is easier, healthier, and full of hope. Thank you for making this possible,” Kellen concluded.