Water of Life: How ACReSAL’s Solar-Powered Borehole Transformed Kasuwan Yelwa Auguwan Galadiman Muri Community

In the scorching heat of Jalingo, Taraba State, Nigeria, lies the community of Kasuwan Yelwa Auguwan Muri Galadima, where access to clean water was a luxury few could afford.

For years, residents had to walk long distances, often up to 5 kilometers, to fetch water from streams. The struggle was real, and the consequences were dire, because the cleaniness of the water was not even guaranteed.

Jamila Abubakar, a resident of Galadima junction, recalled the hardships her community faced. “Before, we were suffering about water,” she said. “Our children would go to the river to fetch water, and when they brought it, they would fall sick after two days.”

The economic burden was also significant. Many community members, like Jamila, had to spend a substantial amount of money – N700-1400 – to buy a truck or two trucks on a daily basis at 700 per truck.

However, everything changed when ACReSAL installed a solar-powered borehole in the community. Jamila expressed her gratitude, “We thank God, we thank ACReSAL, for this borehole you brought for us. No more sickness, no problem.”

The borehole has brought relief to the community, providing them with access to clean water and improving their overall well-being. The water is not only used for drinking but also for washing and bathing.

The population of Galadima community stands at approximately 6,586 people, who have long struggled to access clean water.

According to Isa Muhammed, the Ward Head of Angwan Baraya Sarkin Dawaje, the community’s quest for this essential resource often leads to conflicts with herders at the stream, where humans and animals compete for water, but now they community has left the stream for the herders.

He said, the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project has brought significant relief to communities in Northern Nigeria. Before ACReSAL’s intervention, the community faced significant challenges with access to clean water, relying on a stream 5 kilometers away. The water from the stream was contaminated, leading to frequent cases of water-borne diseases like malaria, typhoid, and diphtheria.
However, with the provision of a borehole, the community now has access to clean water, and the incidence of water-borne diseases has reduced by 99-100%.

Isa personally benefited from the intervention, as he used to spend a lot of money every month on malaria treatment for his children. With the reduction in malaria cases, he now uses that money to buy food and other essential items. Additionally, the community can send their children to school without the burden of fetching water from a distant stream every morning before going to school.

This has positively impacted on the children who now speed more hours in school, and learn more without the early morning fatigue of fetching water from a 5 kilometer stream.

According to Isa, the community has formed a committee to manage and maintain the borehole, ensuring its sustainability. Isa expressed gratitude to ACReSAL, saying, “Greening the environment, saving lives” is more than just a slogan – it’s a reality for our community.

With a population of 6,586, the community is now able to access clean water, and the impact is evident. The borehole has been operational for almost a year, and the community is thriving.

For Suwaiba Ayuba, a local businesswoman from Baraya community, she expressed her gratitude to ACReSAL for providing a borehole in their community. She sells kunun zaki, zobo, and kunun aya, and previously struggled to access clean water for her business.

“We used to buy water from water sellers at N700 per truck, and sometimes during fasting periods, the price would rise to N1,000 to N1,200 per truck,” she said. “We would buy four to five trucks in one day, which was a significant expense.” However, with the borehole provided by ACReSAL, Suwaiba’s business has flourished.
“Getting water has become easier, and we’re not buying water anymore,” she said.

“Before, when we were fetching water from the river, because of the contamination of the water, our kunun zaki would spoil overnight, resulting in significant losses. But now, with the clean water from the borehole, we don’t have that problem.”

Suwaiba reported an increase in her profits, saying, “Before, we could lose N500 or N1,000 in a day, but now we’re getting more gain than before because of this clean water.” She praised the quality of the water, saying “it’s a very good water” with “no problem at all.”

Yakubu Yambai, Chairman of the Borehole Management Committee in the community, expressed his gratitude to ACReSAL for providing a borehole in their community. Before the borehole was constructed, residents had to trek 4-5 kilometers to fetch water, which made it difficult for children to get to school on time.

“As a result of this borehole, our people are getting it easier,” Yakubu said. “Children can now fetch water and go to school without delay. We are benefiting from this water more than before.”

The community previously relied on river water, which was often contaminated, leading to frequent cases of cholera and typhoid fever. However, with the borehole, the incidence of these diseases has significantly reduced.

“We don’t have typhoid and cholera like before,” Yakubu said. “Many are benefiting from this water, and it’s made life easier for us. People can now clean their environment, go to school, and go to work without delay.”

The borehole has also helped the community save money on water. Yakubu reported that households used to buy 3-4 trucks of water per day at N700 per truck, but now they no longer need to do so. Moreover, the community no longer experiences disputes with herders over water. Yakubu recounts his personnel experiences when community members relied on water from the stream, herders would often put their animals in the water, contaminating it and causing conflicts. But now that problem has been solved.”

The community is grateful for the borehole and for sustainability, the community is working to maintain the facility. They contribute money to repair the tap when it breaks and ensure the area around the borehole is clean. The borehole serves not only Angwan Baraya community but also neighboring areas. Yakubu expressed his gratitude to ACReSAL and prayed for their continued support.

His Royal Highness, Alh. Abba Tukur, a traditional Ruler, expressed his gratitude to ACReSAL for providing a borehole in their community. Before the borehole was established, the community struggled to access clean water, but now, he believes it has solved about 70% of their water needs. The borehole has brought significant relief to the community, with many residents benefiting from it.

HRH Alh. Abba Tukur noted that the water is clean and hygienic, and the community no longer experiences water-borne diseases like cholera and typhoid fever.

“We are happy with this one, but we need one more,” he said. “If we can be given another one, I think it’s good to go, very helpful to us and will assist more and relieve more people in this community.”

The community takes pride in maintaining the borehole, with a strong committee in place to safeguard the facility. HRH Alh. Abba Tukur emphasized that the borehole is a treasure to the community and that they would fiercely protect it.

He praised ACReSAL for their work, saying, “ACReSAL is a blessing… They have changed the lives of our people here, so to me, I want to say we are grateful first to God and we are grateful to ACReSAL for coming to our aid in Taraba state.”

He further added, “Whoever brings water brings life, and that’s why if you say ACReSAL, ahh, we all open our doors. Because somebody who brings life to you has brought everything. Water is life, we are happy and look forward to seeing them in many more projects.”

HRH Alh. Abba Tukur concluded by expressing his hope that ACReSAL will continue to work with the community, addressing their needs and solving their problems. “We look forward to seeing them in action again and in many more projects that have a direct bearing on our needs.

The community’s story is that of resilience and hope, and the impact of ACReSAL’s intervention.

ACReSAL’s solar-powered borehole has not only improved the health and well-being of the community but also boosted their economic prospects and reduced conflicts over water resources.

The community’s gratitude and enthusiasm for ACReSAL’s intervention are palpable, and their stories serve as a powerful reminder of the impact that development initiatives can have on people’s lives.

The ripple effects of ACReSAL’s intervention in Galadima Muri Kaswan Yelwa community are a powerful evidence that access to clean water is a fundamental human right.

As the community continues to thrive, their stories serve as a testament to the transformative power of community-driven project. With each passing day, the impact of ACReSAL’s work will only continue to grow, bringing hope and opportunity to more communities in need.

As the people of Kasuwan Yelwa Anguwan Galadima Muri community look to the future, they do so with renewed hope and optimism. The borehole has brought them more than just water – it has brought life. And as they continue to benefit from ACReSAL’s intervention, they serve as a shining example of the difference that can be made when organizations prioritize the needs of communities and work tirelessly to improve their lives.

ACReSAL…. greening the environment, saving lives