The initiative to construct boreholes in Ghana has been extraordinarily rewarding. Each borehole represents not just change and hope but, more importantly, symbolises a change in a life with access to clean water. Communities which formerly experienced the uncertainty of water can now take time to drink clean water on a more regular basis. The daily impact is immeasurable.
Students within schools have felt the greatest relief, as they were the ones who suffered the most from the lack of access to safe water. For years students in schools have had an unfortunate experience, which was walking the distance to school and then again walking to find water, many times from streams or ponds which were unsafe. Today, students walk just outside the classroom to where the borehole is situated within the school or the community and have the time to learn, play, and grow. The burden of carrying water has been removed.
I find it to be so satisfying to watch them take great advantage of a resource provided. Clean water not just allows them to engage and focus in the classroom, but it also stops the spread of preventable illness and allows them to practise some hygiene. Boreholes are multiplied orders of impact for schools and communities because they engage in thirst-quenching water, but they also provide energy, confidence, and possibility for students to realise dreams. A cup of water is very small if you think of certain ways, but in terms of the bigger picture of the student, it is represented as so much larger.
The road to getting safe water to communities and schools has been a collective effort of passion, support and vision to create impact. Each borehole is a reminder of any possible accomplishment when technology, humanity, and compassion are joined to create impact. Each borehole inauguration is a reminder that clean water will go much further than our present will impact generations of children.
In time to come, we will share in the gratitude of seeing these students become engaged and the communities thrive. The impact of the one borehole will ultimately go far beyond one moment that engages the next generation. Together we're providing an elevation of water in that moment, and we're also providing education, life, and the dream of a better future for the children of Ghana and beyond.
