11 November 2008

Water is Life

Water is life. Easy access often means an easy life. Conversely, when its more than 10km to the well and daytime temperatures are over 350c (100f), life can be hard work. 

This unmarried Rendille girl is fetching water for her family. From her home in the Rengumo clan village it takes her more than an hour to walk to this well. Two hours to draw the water for the containers and the pack-donkeys who will carry them. Four hours minimum for a load of about 100 liters that will last about two days shared out between up to 20 people in the extended family.

When was the last time you had to work for your water? Next time you are lying in the bath take a moment to remember the desert nomads.