Faruk Para, a small village in the remote Bandarban Hills of Bangladesh, is home to 140 families. They collect their daily water from the spring in the southern part of the village. It is not safe to drink. The children suffer from waterborne diseases like diarrhea, cholera, dysentery and scabies.
However, there is nowhere else to get water.
The worst part is that even the dirty water is scarce when the spring water dries up. Year after year, families fight for survival. There’s insufficient water to maintain good hygiene. This means even more people get sick. Ten people in the community also live with disabilities, putting their health and livelihoods at even greater risk.
Faruk Para's families wanted to provide their children with a better future. They dreamed of a life where they could collect water with ease. Where they didn’t have to fight for survival and watch their children get sick from the dirty water. So, the community created a Water Development Committee.
In 2022, the committee approached our relief and development partner, the Community Advancement Forum (CAF). The committee had an idea to install a 1.7km water pipeline to connect to a water reservoir and tank. But they needed help.
The pipe was to have six sub-points along the line so that the different families in the village could access water close to their doorsteps. CAF helped to make this dream a reality.
The installation was a success!
The new pipeline now provides fresh, clean and safe water to the 140 families, approximately 1264 people living in Faruk Para. Each household uses at least 200 litres daily for drinking, cooking, cleaning and bathing. They no longer need to walk to the southern point of the village, as there are now many water points to access water using the pipeline.
Children are no longer getting sick from the contaminated water and the unhygienic conditions. They can now spend more time at school because they are healthy! The parents can now devote time to household activities, providing hygienic and safer homes. And they can spend time earning additional income rather than just struggling for survival.
The Faruk Para Water Development Committee is serious about initiating activities in the village and protecting the village’s water supply and pipeline.
Vana Bawm, CAF Project Manager, shared, “The committee is active and oversees water management. There is a guideline for the water users about do’s and don’ts.” Each household also pays a small annual contribution to help maintain the pipeline. If they don’t pay, there is a fee. Everyone is motivated to take ownership.
With the community so involved in the project, it’s no surprise they’re planning for the future. They hope to increase their water supply by installing a larger tank. This will help continue to provide for the needs of growing families.
The families of Faruk Para are delighted to have the pipeline installed and expressed their gratitude to CAF and those who support Safe Water September.
Our partners, the Community Advancement Forum, work in isolated areas, so sending images can be challenging. The image featured with this story is of Happy Hills Village, another village that received safe water, thanks to your support!
Bangladesh Community Sustainability Project – Community Advancement Forum (CAF) is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
