Deepa, center, had her arm amputated several years ago. Yet she continued to make daily half-mile trips to fetch water from this open, polluted well, a difficult task that left her exhausted.

LAWALI, India – At 14 years old, Deepa, quite literally, carries a lot of weight on her shoulders. While both parents work as laborers, she looks after the house and makes daily trips to fetch water for everyone – tasks made even more difficult by her disability.

Deepa only has one arm.

Her arm was amputated several years ago, because of an injury she received after falling from a tree. While she has adapted and learned how to draw water, pour it in containers and carry it home, it is not a quick job. During monsoon season, the process takes even longer as the half-mile dirt path becomes slippery and dangerous.

This daily struggle left Deepa exhausted. But she wasn’t the only one suffering in her village.

Now Deepa’s family no longer has to drink dirty water that will make them sick. And Deepa doesn't have to toil to bring that water to them. The new well is just a few hundred feet from her house.

Many of her neighbors battled ongoing health problems because this open, polluted well was their only source of drinking water, spreading sickness and disease throughout the village.

When OBI heard of the village’s need, they transported the heavy equipment necessary to dig a deep water well. Now, Lawali’s villagers have joined the more than 3.3 million people benefiting daily from clean water provided by OBI wells around the world.

Deepa’s family no longer has to drink dirty water that will make them sick. And, Deepa doesn’t have to toil to bring that water to them. The new well is only several hundred feet from her home.

“I am very happy. I never imagined that our village will get a well,” she said. “Thank you OBI for making my life so much easier now.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Help break the cycle of suffering by giving toward Operation Blessing's water wells and cisterns program. A gift of $1,800 can drill a well for villages and supply families with clean drinking water.

 

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