Timor-Leste

Before February 2003, when the system was turned over to three villages in Aileu subdistrict, about 50 kilometers from Dili, Antonia and members of the 370 or so other households in Aileu used to walk long hours to various water sources to collect water. They would wait for their turn, fill their pails, and load them onto pushcarts for the long walk back. And the water, if it came from wells, was salty and not fit for drinking.

The first Water Supply and Rehabilitation Project built the system with community participation. The villagers were taught how to run and manage the project on their own. Then the system was turned over fully to them.

Now, the public tank is a mere 10 meters away from Antonia’s house.