Have a Good Life

ISSUE:
Living on top of a mountain where there is no public water access forces the residents of Nyarugenge to walk one hour to find only dirty water in a neighboring valley. As a result, there is a high level of disease in the area, including cholera, typhoid and diarrhea. Women, particularly those who are handicapped or vulnerable, are often sexually exploited in exchange for water, which has increased rates of HIV/AIDS in the community. In addition, women are affected even further by this issue since lack of water serves as a trigger for domestic violence and family conflict.

SOLUTION:
Have a Good Life has constructed a water tank and water access point, and has extended the local water pipeline to their community of Nyarugenge. In addition to serving 200 families with purified water, they also hold community trainings about the importance of clean water to prevent water-born disease. Project goals for the next year include to:

• Reduce the problem of violence and sexual exploitation associated with lack of access to water
• Reduce water related illnesses among women and children
• Increase the personal hygiene of women in the community

IMPACT:
Over 200 households within the community now have access to clean water, reducing water-born illnesses, domestic violence and poor hygiene.