How Access to Clean Water Transformed One Family’s Life in Sri Lanka
In the rural village of Gambirigaswewa, nestled within the Manupa Division of Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka’s North Central Province, one family’s story highlights the profound impact of a simple yet life-changing intervention: access to clean water.
For families living in this area, water is not just a necessity—it is a challenge. Many of the villagers depend on surface water from ponds and lakes, often contaminated and unsafe for consumption. In addition, the region experiences frequent droughts, making water scarcity a constant struggle. People like Brother Ramlan, a daily wage labourer, found themselves spending hours each day traveling long distances to collect water, exposing themselves and their families to potential risks and safety concerns.
The Challenge: Water Scarcity in a Remote Village
Brother Ramlan and his family, who live in a modest one-room hut in Gambirigaswewa, faced these very challenges. His daily routine was defined by the constant need to gather water, which was often located far from their home. His wife, Fareeda Umma, and their three children were frequently affected by the lack of access to clean, safe water. It was not just the physical strain of carrying water; the risks were even greater due to the presence of wild animals in the surrounding forests, which posed a danger during their water-fetching trips.
Before Muslim Hands’s intervention, Brother Ramlan’s family had no choice but to endure these hardships. The lack of water facilities at home meant that simple tasks like personal hygiene and cooking were far more difficult. There was also an underlying sense of insecurity, especially for women and children, who were at risk each time they left the house to fetch water.
The Solution: A Well at Their Doorstep
Muslim Hands South Africa stepped in with a crucial solution: the construction of a well. As part of a wider initiative to build 150 wells across Anuradhapura, Puttalam, and Badulla districts, this well now provides the Ramlan family with a steady and safe water supply right at their doorstep.
The impact of this intervention has been nothing short of transformative. The well not only alleviated the physical burden of carrying water but also enhanced the safety of the family. No longer do the women and children need to travel through dangerous terrain to fetch water. With the installation of the well, they can access clean water with ease, allowing them to focus on other essential daily tasks.
How This Project Changed Their Lives
Brother Ramlan was deeply grateful for this life-changing intervention. As he shares, "Alhamdulillah! This well has brought peace to our family. We no longer worry about where to get clean water or the dangers of going far away to fetch it."
“We hope for better living conditions, including more stable financial support, educational opportunities for our children, and a secure place to live,” says Brother Ramlan.
He expresses his heartfelt thanks to the donors and staff who made this project possible. “May Allah SWT accept this act from you all. May He ease your hardships and grant you the opportunity to drink water from the hand of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).”
Moving Forward
Thanks to the generosity of donors, families like Brother Ramlan’s are beginning to experience real, positive change. With access to clean water, they can focus on improving other aspects of their lives, from education to health and beyond.
For those who want to make a difference, supporting initiatives like this one can have a direct and lasting impact on families who need it most. Each well is a step toward a brighter, more sustainable future for communities that continue to face the challenges of water scarcity.
In the end, the project is a testament to the power of collaboration and compassion. It shows how, with just one well, a family’s future can be transformed—from a life of struggle to one of hope.
Thank you to all the donors who made this project possible. Your support has changed lives, one well at a time.
