The Weight of Water
Forty pounds is the weight of water inside a full 5-pound jerry can. The young girl who carries it knows this well. She walks alone to the village water source, 30 minutes both ways, while the dry heat of the sun tans her skin. This journey has become routine for this young girl, and for the generations who have come to see water not as a right, but as a hard-fought privilege.
Her path snakes through cracked earth and past withered trees, once lush, now skeletal against the horizon. Each step coughs up puffs of dust that cling to her skin, mixing with the beads of sweat that roll down her face. Her sandals, patched and worn, offer little protection from the burning ground, but she presses on.
At the well, women and children gather around, jugs and buckets in hand, their faces etched with fatigue and determination. The little girl waits her turn, watching as one by one, their vessels are lowered into the darkness, emerging with water that is far from clean. She wonders how something so vital could be so scarce.
Once filled, she lugs the canister onto her head, its 40 pounds bearing down on her in full force. The journey back would be even harder, the sun now at its peak. She adjusts the cloth beneath the can to cushion her head and takes a deep breath. The little girl begins her trek home along with the other women around her. The water sloshes inside the can with each step, a rhythmic reminder of its importance. As her shadow stretches into the distance, she says goodbye to the well she will see again tomorrow.
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This story, though fictional, reflects the lived experiences of millions of children, women, and families around the world. According to the WHO, an estimated 2.2 billion people globally lack safely managed drinking water and 3.5 billion lack proper sanitation, which greatly increases the risk of disease and economic hardship. Furthermore, UNICEF reports that 4 billion people — almost two-thirds of the world’s population — experience severe water scarcity for at least one month each year, again putting their health, hygiene, and personal safety at risk.
As illustrated in the story above, in areas of severe water scarcity, the task of collection is often highly gendered. UNICEF estimates that in these communities, women and girls collectively spend 200 million hours daily fetching water, a task that robs them of free time, education and economic opportunities. This burden is particularly devastating in rural communities, where long treks to fetch water often mean missing school, limiting future opportunities, and perpetuating cycles of poverty.
Water is a privilege that many of us take for granted, but it is also a fundamental right of human life. Addressing water scarcity requires awareness, education and collective action. Investing in clean water infrastructure, adopting water-saving technologies, and rethinking consumption habits are crucial steps. In our daily lives, even small changes can make a significant difference: fixing leaks, reducing food waste, and choosing sustainable products all contribute to the conservation of this vital resource.
The weight of water is both literal and metaphorical. For the young girl in this story, it is the jug she carries, the physical burden that shapes her daily life, keeping her from school, from play, and from childhood itself. For millions like her, water scarcity is a thief of time, health, safety and opportunity. But it does not have to be. For the rest of us, the weight of water is the responsibility to act – before it is too late. Whether it be advocating for policy changes, supporting sustainable water initiatives, or rethinking our own consumption habits, we can transform our global future. By recognizing our shared connection to our resources and investing in water equality projects, we can ensure that this young girl’s story – and the real-life struggles faced by billions daily – become memories of the past.
Help Lift the Burden Today
Right now, you have the power to lift the weight of water for an entire community. Over 1,200 people in Las Mercedes KM11 have to walk miles daily for access to unsafe drinking water — leaving nearly half of the community suffering from waterborne illnesses. But together, we can change that.
Join us in bringing a sustainable clean water system to Las Mercedes KM11. With your support, we will provide safe, accessible water — freeing children from the daily burden of water collection and empowering them to learn, grow, and dream.
Be part of the solution. Click below to learn more and help bring clean water to Las Mercedes KM11 today.
