Jun 22, 2023
The unseen effort: From Sorrow to Bliss
Prem Tamang, 34 years old resident of Swara, Balefi, Sindhupalchok is the sole provider for his household, which includes his two young daughters, his mother, and his wife. He works as a daily wage laborer, dedicating himself to fulfilling his family’s basic needs.
Unlike in other neighboring households, where mostly women take up the arduous task to fetch water, he faced a constant worry about the safety of his wife and small daughters when traversing the difficult journey through a jungle to fetch water from their house. More so, encountering wild animals was a looming threat to an already challenging situation. Thus, Prem’s daily journey included traveling for over half an hour just to fetch a gagri (Traditional vessel) of water making his story extraordinary and unusual.
After PIWAAI intervened in the area, he expressed his relief as his family now has access to proper and safe drinking water, right in front of their house. His children are now filled with immense joy as they experience the profound happiness that water has brought into their lives. The construction of the scheme was completed three months ago, and Prem is one of the Village Maintenance Workers (VMW) for the scheme. During this time, some minor problems like issues with the washer and tap have arisen, and Prem has successfully resolved them. Prem is confident in the scheme's sustainability due to the active involvement of the Water User Committee, which has made decisions to regularly repair and maintain the scheme. Additionally, all beneficiaries are also aware of their roles and responsibilities in contributing towards the proper functioning of the water supply scheme.
Prem’s journey from sorrow to bliss is a testament to his unwavering commitment to his family. Through his laborious efforts and the intervention of PIWAAI, his family now has access to safe drinking water, eliminating the daily hardships and concerns they faced. While society often emphasizes the role of women as primary caretakers of the household, it is important to acknowledge and appreciate the unseen efforts that men like Prem make in building and supporting their families and communities.
#PIWAAI #WASH #PWJ #Balefi #sindhupalchok #PIWAAI_WASH #Equality #qualityoflife #safedrinkingwater #accesstowater #humanright