Reshma had to walk nearly a half mile to reach this water source, filled with murky, contaminated water.

NISHARDHA PHALIYA, India – In a remote village in India, Reshma and her husband live in a one-room house atop a hilly tract of land. Their walls are made of mud, the roof tiled, and they have no running water.

In fact, their home is offset from the most of the villagers because Reshma and Mukesh are from a tribe that is considered to be of low caste, unwelcome by upper class villagers.

For a while, they were able to make ends meet, with two cows of their own and plenty of work as day laborers. Then Reshma and Mukesh had their first child, a beautiful baby girl they named Aanchal.

With the birth of Aanchal, Reshma began staying home to care for her baby. Soon work became scarce and Mukesh had to travel to nearby cities where he had a better chance of earning an income.

Thanks to Operation Blessing partners, Reshma can now access clean water right in her own village.

Left to take care of their home, Reshma worked hard to tend their cattle and look after their baby. One of her toughest chores was the half-mile trek to the nearest water source—an open spring—to gather enough water to cook, clean, bathe, drink, and water the cows.

But the water she collected was contaminated, and soon, Reshma fell ill. Before long, little Aanchal began getting sick too.

Mukesh came home from the city to help Reshma with the chores and care for their daughter, but without work, their resources diminished quickly.

Then Operation Blessing came to their village to drill a new water well. The well, located near Reshma and Mukesh’s home, offered their family and many others fresh, clean water. Now, Reshma and Aanchal don’t get sick from the water, they are able to give their cows plenty to drink and Mukesh has been able to return to work.

“Thank you for your concern and efforts to get our village a new water source,” the couple said.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Help break the cycle of suffering by giving toward Operation Blessing's water wells and cisterns program. A gift of $1,800 can drill a well for villages and supply families with clean drinking water.

 

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