Water Brings Hope For The Future

By Mutinta Chiseko, Donor Liaison, Zambia

“Water made it possible for me to go back to school, says 18-year-old Dunford Shimpande of Mbeza, a remote village in Southern Zambia.

Dunford is a double orphan who lives with his 83-year-old grandfather, uncle, auntie and their 19 months old baby. For many years, his home village has been renowned for Pastoral farming. In fact, his grandfather owns more than 42 cows which Dunford has over the years helped to heard as expected of every young boy in his village. 

“I started herding my grandfather’s cattle when I was 8 years old. I would make sure that I take them for grazing in the wilderness and then later to the stream for water before going to school, he says.

Unfortunately, due to unforeseen climate changes, the water in the stream that the farmers rely on for animal watering dries up every summer leaving them with no option but to go in search for water in far off flood plains.

“It takes about 12 hours to walk with the cows to the flood plains, and because of the distance, it is impossible to go and come back the same day. The herders have to camp there in plastic shelters and only return home in the rainy season,” Dunford explains.

For a number of years, Dunford and most boys in his village had to camp at the plains so that their animals could have access to water. However, while the animals were healthy, they had to miss school for the entire summer, equivalent to a school term.

“Staying in school became a challenge because I was away for one whole term every year,” he says.

In 2017, Dunford decided to stop school completely because it no longer made sense for him. He was always last in class and his grades left much to be desired.

Fortunately, in the summer of 2020, World Vision through its sponsorship funding, sank a well in Dunford’s village. The well not only provides water to the community members but the animals as well throughout the year.

“I could not believe it when I heard that World Vision was coming to dig a well in our village not until I saw the drilling trucks pulling up on site,” recalls Dunford.

“It’s unbelievable how this well has saved us from going back to the plains. It can only be God working through World Vision,’ he adds.

 In January, 2021, Dunford went back to school after three long years. Even though he is many grades behind the actual grade suitable for his age, he is still grateful for the opportunity to be back at school. He is determined to do whatever it takes to use it to the best of his ability.

“Thank you, World Vision, this water point has not only made it possible for me to go back to school but to stay close to my loved ones as well,” he says. 

A few months ago, Dunford’s entire community was hit with the El Nino drought which severely affected most of Southern Zambia. Fortunately, even though all their streams dried up and crops destroyed by the drought, the devastation wasn’t as bad as in other areas. This is because of the well sank by World Vision has made it possible for the children including Dunford to remain in school even during this critical time. 

Unlike other villages that are scrounging for water and have resorted to taking their cattle to the floodplains for watering, all the families in Dunford’s community still have access to clean water for consumption and animal watering nearby. The families are also using the water from the well to grow vegetables, a venture which has helped to sustain their livelihoods. Today, Dunford’s community is referred to as the miracle well because it has in many ways facilitated the resilience in Dunford’s community.