To get water, Bai had to hike down a 200-foot embankment, fill her water pots and make the strenuous climb back to the top.

At the well dedication ceremony, villagers shouted in celebration.

LONDWADI, India - At age 70, Bhalkar Anjana Bai was in no position to work.

She lived with her parents for many years, but after their death, was left to care for herself by daily begging for bread crumbs and searching for clean water to drink.

A severe curvature of the spine complicated the situation, leaving Bai unable to stand up straight.

"There is no one for me," she said after the death of her parents. "I'm all alone and have to struggle for every small thing."

Bai lives in Londwadi, a small village surrounded by dense trees in Pusad district, Maharashtra state of India. Because of its remote location, there are no roads, schools, electricity, medical facilities or public transportation.

In terms of available water sources, Bai and the other villagers were forced to hike down a 200-foot steep embankment, fill their water pots and make the strenuous climb back to the top.

"I'm a mother of a three children," said one villager. "In order to prepare food and meet other basic needs, I have to make at least 8-10 trips a day to the well. By evening my whole body aches, but I have no other choice."

Since most of the villagers are farm laborers working for daily wages, many were losing earning potential by having to make several time-consuming trips a day to the old water source.

Last year, Operation Blessing drilled a bore well for the people of Londwadi, providing them with easy access to clean drinking water.

"The well is very close to their houses and now their time will be saved so they work and earn more money," said Shirley Joyce, a representative with Operation Blessing "This will impact the financial condition of the community."

At the dedication ceremony, villagers shouted in celebration and no one seemed more pleased with the new well than Bai.

"No more walking with my hunchback through the bushes," Bai said. "At any given time, I can go fetch water."

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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