If you drive up into the East Indian mountains, it’ll take time to reach the village of Galipadu. But if you do get there, you might meet Kantam Vantala.
Kantam is 65 years old. Previously, it would take her around 4 hours per day to collect the 130 litres she needed for her family to drink, cook and wash with. In the rainy season this was a slippery, dirty, depressing task. In the dry season, the water source would dry to almost nothing and arguments would break out over how much water each family was allowed. Over the last 3 months, things have changed. Support from Frank Water and our partners, plus hard work from the 300 people who live in the village means that Galipadu is now connected to a gravity fed water system, which feeds safe, fresh water from a mountain spring to four taps around the village. The moment water started flowing from the taps, Kantam’s life changed.
“The new tap is in the village, near my house, so my water problems are solved in two ways. I have clean water. I have water near my house. I have a new way of life.”
Kantam Vantala, Galipadu village, India.
According to the World Health Organisation, every £1 spent on water and sanitation will generate at least four times that amount through increased productivity. Galipadu is no exception. Water at the doorstep saves the 200 women and girls in the village from hours of drudgery, collecting water each day. People can bathe regularly and incidence of diarrhoea is reduced. Children are free to attend school and women have more time to generate cash in endeavours such as coffee growing. Life has changed.
