Suko has been waiting for her life to begin for a long time. She wanted to start a garden, look after animals, provide for her children’s school fees, build a house and earn a better income. Everything was put on hold because one crucial thing was missing: water.
Water is essential — not just for survival, but for dignity, health, and opportunity. It nourishes the body, supports livelihoods, and enables people to thrive.
But for families like Suko’s who are living in rural and arid regions, access to clean, safe water is not guaranteed.
Without access to a borehole, Suko’s family faced unimaginable hardships every day just to meet their basic water needs.
Learn how Suko’s life was transformed when borehole water became available in her village thanks to donations to Global Mission Partners.
What is a borehole?
A borehole is a narrow shaft drilled deep into the ground to access underground water reserves. In regions where surface water is scarce or unsafe, boreholes offer a sustainable solution to water scarcity. They bring clean water to the surface, where it can be used for:
- drinking,
- cooking,
- cleaning,
- agriculture, and more.
Shallow boreholes are often used when groundwater is located nearer to the surface. These are especially useful for rural communities, where resources and infrastructure may be limited, yet the need for water is urgent.
The struggle without boreholes: Suko’s story
Our partner, Showers of Blessing, installed two boreholes for water in Suko’s village. Now she only walks 500 metres to a safe, clean water source!
It has helped her whole community to better their livelihoods.
Suko is delighted! There are no queues, and the water from boreholes is free. She doesn’t have to follow the strict rules for how much water she can collect or worry about whether she can afford it. Water is in plenty of supply.
Now, there is enough borehole water to drink, cook, and clean her house. “I can now wash my dresses!” she says happily.
Suko also has lots of chickens roaming in her garden. You can even hear the sound of goats and donkeys!
Vusimusi, her husband, shared, “We plant vegetables like onions, tomatoes and fruit trees like peaches, guavas and bananas.” They have a good harvest. “We get lots of tomatoes to sell to our neighbours,” adds Suko. She enjoys watering the garden.
The borehole has also helped the family to spend more time together, “I spend a lot of time with my family now that water is close to home,” reported Suko.
Suko is hopeful for the future, “Water is plenty; there are many projects I wish to do.”
Easy access to safe water, thanks to the boreholes, has given Suko and her family a new life! They can attend to their hygiene, grow food in their garden and keep animals. They can earn additional income and invest in their future.
All because of water.
It has also given life to the greater community who have been busy making bricks and building their houses.
“It is now possible for us to live where there is water,” reflected Vusimusi.
“Without water there is no life.”
Why boreholes matter: the bigger picture
Suko’s story is just one among many. Across rural communities, boreholes are making a lasting difference. They:
- improve health outcomes by reducing waterborne disease.
- free up time — especially for women and girls — to attend school, start businesses, and care for their families.
- support small-scale agriculture, helping families generate income and secure food for the future.
Importantly, borehole water access is sustainable and reliable when implemented with care. With proper site selection, maintenance, and community involvement, a borehole can provide clean water for generations.
Want to see how access to boreholes has transformed even more communities? Discover how water is now within reach for others too.
How to find bore water
Before borehole drilling, experts use several methods to find the best location:
- Geological surveys help identify underground water reserves
- Drilling tests confirm water flow and quality, ensuring the investment in a borehole will be worthwhile.
In Suko’s village, experts helped identify the ideal drilling point so that the new boreholes would supply water reliably and sustainably for years to come.
Water for life: the lasting impact
Water is the foundation of life. Without it, nothing grows, nothing thrives. With it, communities transform. Children are healthier. Women are empowered. Families can dream, build, and live with dignity.
Suko’s story reminds us of this simple truth: “Without water there is no life.”
We must continue working to expand access to borehole water so that more families can experience the joy and freedom that water brings.
The water charity making a difference
Thanks to your donations to Global Mission Partners and Showers of Blessing, families like Suko’s are no longer trapped by water scarcity. However access to clean and safe drinking water remains a significant challenge in Zimbabwe, affecting both urban and rural communities.
Your support matters. Every donation brings life-giving water to families in need.
Help bring water and hope to more families like Suko’s. Donate today!
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to drink water from boreholes?
Yes — borehole water is generally safe to drink when the borehole is properly constructed and maintained. Because it is drawn from deep underground, this water is often naturally filtered through layers of soil and rock, removing many impurities. However, safety depends on regular testing and good hygiene practices around the borehole.
In Suko’s village, the new boreholes were installed with safety in mind, ensuring clean, reliable access to water that is safe for drinking, cooking, and everyday use. Ongoing monitoring and community training help maintain water quality, protecting health and wellbeing.
The government department of water also has local technicians in each area. They test the quality of water at each borehole to ensure the bore won’t cause any health issues.
How much will a borehole cost?
The cost of drilling a borehole can vary widely depending on factors like location, depth, soil conditions, and infrastructure needs.
On average, installing a community borehole for water can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. This includes:
- site assessment,
- drilling,
- casing,
- pump installation, and
- community training.
While the upfront cost can seem high, the long-term benefits — access to safe, reliable borehole water — make it a life-changing and cost-effective solution for communities in need.
Thanks to donors and partners, families like Suko’s receive this vital resource at no cost, helping transform entire villages for generations.
Showers of Blessing’s project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).