Case study: Borehole brings hope to schoolchildren
As experts in water, sanitation and hygiene in emergencies, we're drilling and restoring boreholes, building emergency latrines, distributing soap, hand wash kits and organising hygiene sessions with children. We’ve drilled two boreholes in Chad and two in Niger and water testing is currently underway. A further borehole in Niger is being repaired.
For young Abubacar (12), a refugee now in Diffa, Niger, a new borehole in his school playground means that he can drink as much water as he needs. And he can wash his hands before and after eating.
“In the past, my friends and I had to take drinking water to school. Before coming to school, I had to fetch 75 litres of water for the house. I am very strong you know, but I used the trolley or a donkey to transport the jerry cans with water. The teacher used to get upset, because I was late to classes all the time,” says Abubacar smiling.
I now have free time, to play football with my friends in the school playground.
- Abucacar, 12
The safe water we provide is vital for good health, but for Abubacar and his friends in the settlement, it also means they can stay in school and dream for the future. When asked what he wants to become when he finishes school, Abubacar quickly answers:
My dream is to became, a Red Cross health worker, to help sick people in need.
- Abucacar, 12
Abucacar’s school borehole will benefit around 500 people in the settlement.
But we must remember that young Abubacar is among 1.4 million vulnerable children in need of safe water in the forgotten Lake Chad Basin crisis. We call on donors and humanitarian actors to remember all the children in the Lake Chad Basin - and their fundamental right to water.