In the serene, sun-kissed lands of a remote community, of Kabare Sector, Kayonza District, there existed a tale of resilience, fortitude, and the pursuit of a fundamental need: water.

Among those who experienced the profound transformation brought about by access to safe water is Anitha Mukarutabana, a spirited member of this close-knit community.

Recounting the days of old, she recalls the immense hardships endured in the pursuit of something as essential as water.

"We walked miles, only to reach water sources downhill from a swamp tainted with perilous contaminants," Anitha Mukarutabana reminisces, her voice tinged with gratitude for the winds of change that swept through her village. "Now, our wishes have been granted, we have access to safe water," she adds.

The turning point arrived when Isoko y’Ubuzima, a USAID-funded 5-year project embarked on a mission to rehabilitate her village’s broken 32.6 km-long Kamushikuzi II water supply system, in collaboration with her district to change the lives of communities by providing safe water sources.

The project not only reduced the distance to water sources but also slashed the cost exponentially, a change that rippled through the community’s socioeconomic fabric.

"The financial burden associated with obtaining water has lessened significantly," Anitha beams, expressing relief at the newfound ability to allocate resources to other vital needs within the community.

"The impact is monumental," Anitha exclaims, her eyes reflecting the joy of newfound freedom. "Gone are the days of trekking for hours. The convenience of having clean water within our grasp at a reduced cost is beyond measure."

Indeed, Anitha recalls, if she needed safe water, she had to pay RWF 100 (about $ 0.08) per gallon of water and her household required at least five gallons a day.

Now, she pays RW 8 a gallon of water. The USAID-funded project became the beacon of change, illuminating a path that transformed Anitha’s community. With clean water at their doorstep, they flourished—no longer shackled by the burden of water-related struggles, but embracing a future filled with possibilities.

Anitha’s story stands as a testament to the transformative power of access to safe water. It’s a story of a community once burdened by adversity, now flourishing with resilience, gratitude, and the promise of a brighter tomorrow—painted by the profound impact of the USAID-funded project and the gift of clean, life-sustaining water.

The Kamushikuzi II water supply system is now serving over 10,000 members of the Kabare Sector community at 26 public taps, including three schools and a health center.