Why clean water is important to young girls in South Sudan
Last year, the GEMS Development Foundation installed a well in Majok Goi, South Sudan. We caught up with Aweng Akech Hol, 13 years old, to ask her why having clean water close by is so important to her.
What is your name?
My name is Aweng Akech Hol. I am 13 years old and I am from the Majok Akot Tong and Dinka tribe.
Tell us about your family?
The family size (9) and I’m fourth born in family and I’m only girl that some time work for all of us.
How many siblings do you have?
We are (7)
What responsibilities do you have in your family?
Collecting of water and cooking for the family
Do you go to school? Why or why not?
Yes, I do! I want to learn things that my parents did not learnt and looking to be having job with Government and NGOs!
How did you gather water before the well was fixed?
We were moving from our village to another village where the well is and it was long journey to go there for water but now we are okay our well is fixed and we collect the water near us.
How much time did it take every day?
Before the well fixed here it was two time a day because of distance, but now it is many time as much as we can! Now we can wash our clothes, which we didn’t do before, and collect other extra water for family bathing at home!
Was their any danger involved in that journey?
Yes, there is wild animals which are so danger and threat, they do attack young girls like me when the time is late in the evening!
How do you spend the time you used to spend on gathering water?
Now I have much time to spend on my private things, because water is near to us. Some time I go to the church for singing and Bible study to know more about God! Also I work in our farm in free time!
Why is having a well close by so important to you?
Yes it is important because we are not going far for water and also there is time for us to work on our things!
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