Bridging The Gap. Making Water Accessible

Develus Limena is a 60 year old wife and mother of one daughter who resides in the Commune Capotille in the  North East Department of Haiti. People who know her are always happy to be in her joyful presence. Despite her happy disposition, she suffers from hypertension and this issue can make working as a trader and gathering water very difficult. Their primary water source came from a small spring called the Toro Spring. Develus had to rely on her husband to help her carry the water back home. When they were gathering it from the stream, she could help scoop the water into the bucket, but putting it on her head was simply too much pressure for her heart to handle. Mr. Limena is a kind man who loves his wife and will happily carry the water back home for his family. However, he too is growing in age and finding the long trek for water puts pressure on his body in other ways. 

The Limena family was deeply grateful when some members of their community decided to rally together to request a well. Now their walk for water is much closer to home and Mr. Limena doesn’t ncur as many problems from carrying the water such a far distance. What is even better for their family is that Develus was elected by her community to serve as the well’s guardian. She may not be the strongest physically, but she takes her responsibility very seriously and considers it a great honor to care for her community’s well. She shared, “I was very happy when I was chosen to be the guardian of the well. I’m not perfect, but I will serve my community to the best of my ability.”

She is not alone in her sentiments, all of her neighbors and family are incredibly grateful to have clean water closer to home because they no longer have to worry about the challenges that accompany the long walk for water from the Toro spring. Whatsmore, they enjoy seeing Mrs. Limena’s smile every day as she greets them while they fill their buckets.