In the remote village of Kolti in Bajura district, access to clean water was a daily struggle for residents. Women and children would spend hours each day walking to distant water sources, often collecting water from contaminated streams that caused frequent illness.

In 2021, Akumaya Foundation partnered with the local community and water engineers to implement a comprehensive clean water project. The project involved tapping a natural spring located 3 kilometers from the village and constructing a gravity-fed water system.

The water system includes a collection chamber at the spring source, a main pipeline to the village, a storage tank, and distribution lines to community taps strategically placed throughout the village. The system was designed to serve all 120 households in the community.

Local community members were actively involved in the construction process, contributing labor and local materials. They also formed a water user committee responsible for the operation and maintenance of the system, with training provided by the foundation.

Since the completion of the project in November 2022, the impact on the community has been profound. Health records from the local health post show a 60% reduction in waterborne diseases, particularly among children under five.

"Before, my children were constantly sick with diarrhea. I spent so much time caring for them and walking for water that I couldn't do anything else. Now, we have clean water right in our community, and my children are healthier. I even have time to start a small vegetable garden," says Parvati Rokaya, a mother of three.

Beyond health improvements, the project has had broader social and economic benefits. Girls who previously missed school to help collect water now attend regularly. Women use their saved time for income-generating activities and community engagement.

The success of the Kolti water project demonstrates how access to clean water is foundational to community development. By addressing this basic need, we create opportunities for improvements in health, education, and livelihoods.