Founded in 1987, WaterHarvest began by their initiative by deepening wells to increase water for the poorest people living in arid regions of India. Since then, their work has evolved to focus on community-led rainwater harvesting. This involves capturing precious rainwater in household storage tanks and providing families with urgently-needed and safer drinking water at home where it is most needed. “We also carry out livelihood training for farmers and sanitation programmes in schools,” Julia explains, who has been working for the organisation for over 14 years. “Our work has resulted in increased water availability, a reduction in poverty, doubled household incomes and 80% less water-related diseases. Our work equips, strengthens and brings stability to people and the environment.”
To this day, Julia continues to be inspired by the achievements of WaterHarvest. “We link funders with our amazing projects so that they can be part of our story – so far, we’ve brought water to 1,861 villages sustainably. I’m highly motivated by the impact of what we’re doing which I’ve been able to witness myself on visits, and through the words of those whose lives we are changing: ‘Poverty does not stare at my family anymore, now we have enough for ourselves to live.’”
And what does she hope to achieve in the future? “To enable people to achieve lasting benefits in their lives,” Julia tells us, “and to break free from the inter-generational cycle of poverty in which they find themselves in.”
IWD 2019: Rukhsana from the Child Friendly Community Project
