Nepal water installation 2016

A basic human right is to have access to clean safe drinking water - sadly for millions of people that is not the case.

Sapriny is a village high in the mountains of Nepal. It is not exactly known how many meters above sea level the village is, however it takes around 8 hours to climb from the base of the mountain range to reach the remote village of Sapriny.

During extreme weather, and with small children in tow, women, men and older children would descend and ascend the steep and dangerous track to retrieve water. The enormous effort gained little water, resulting in families being without sufficient water for extended periods of time. Needless to say the journey for water collection was not only a dangerous task due to the risk of land fall and indeed falling off the mountain, but also the expenditure of physical energy, which cannot be readily replaced. Health and hygiene was compromised as was husbandry and keeping animals, because water was so difficult to obtain and store.

In 2016, the Master of Nursing Science team installed a water pump, pipes and water tanks in the village of Sapriny.The project was developed in 2015, in collaboration with brothers and humanitarian community leaders, Keshab and Rajendra Khanal, and  the Master of Nursing Science team. The task of drilling was very problematic, and the most costly aspect of the entire project. Once drilling was completed a pump with kilometres of water piping, then connected many neighbouring villages to the water source.

In the year since installing the water pump and tanks, Sapriny and the surrounding connected villages seem to be thriving. Crops are growing, people and animals are hydrated, and the community appears to be clean and healthier. Food which was grown with regular watering and also prepared with newly supplied water was simmering on many open fires, filling the cold air with delicious aromas.

The overwhelming  gratitude and thanks given for the installation of drinking water was sung in song during a flower filled ceremony by the people of Sapriny and neighbouring villages, recorded and broadcasted nationally throughout Nepal.