By: Lindsay Rosenfeld

“I have a simple philosophy: Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. Scratch where it itches.” Alice Roosevelt Longworth

Most of my life experiences have confirmed what my mother has always said, the simpler the better. I’m quickly learning that this is rarely the case in Uganda… especially when considering water. Throughout the past week, Hannah and I have joined Kibo Group twice to visit villages that work with Water Source. It seems like a no brainer… If 60% of Uganda does not have access to clean drinking water, give them clean water. Dig a well… and walla! No more parasites, no more thirst, no more walking two miles and back to get water from the closest stream! Clean, accessible water for all… Right?

What happens when the well stops working? When a kid swings on the handle and it bends? Or someone accidentally drops something in? Or it has just expired from one too many uses? (Not to mention the dozens of other problems that may, and often do, rear their ugly heads…)

One particularly awesome component of Water Source’s well installation and maintenance model is the village water committee. Before agreeing to drill, a Water Source staff member travels to the village, sits down with as many community members as possible (young and old, male and female), and (among other things) asks the village to nominate a water committee with a variety of positions. While each individual has a different role, altogether they are responsible for informing a repairperson and/or Water Source if there is a problem with the well, collecting money to pay for repairs, implementing good health and hygiene practices, and much more. When specifically considering the repair of wells, here is where it gets quite complicated:

Village X’s borehole isn’t working… again. Last time they called the repairperson, s/he overcharged them for replacing unnecessary parts AND the problem was not actually fixed. The villagers are having trouble getting more money to call her/him back to try and fix it (again). Plus, the treasurer just bought a new bike and there are rumors that he used the money set aside for repairs in order to make the purchase. Therefore, many of the villagers are refusing to contribute money to help pay for the repairs… No money. No repairperson is called. No working well. No water.

Of course the layers of distrust, corruption, and complexity cannot be summarized in a mere one hundred words… I’ll try again soon. Simple? Not quite.

Read on…