My name is Vanessa. I live in Bunyogombe, Rwanda, and I’m seven years old.

Every morning, I pick up my jerrycan and walk to the well. It’s a quick and easy walk. Sometimes, I even get to go with my best friends on our way to school.

Before we had this hand pump, everyone drank from the Nyamigogo swamp. There was no other choice. My dad tells me it was really hard.

“We drank the same water as cows and goats,” he says. “We knew it made us sick—but what else could we do?”

We used to get stomach aches, diarrhea, and rashes all over our skin. My brother and I missed a lot of school, and my mom was always so tired. She had to walk for hours just to get water for cooking, cleaning, and taking care of us.

One day, people from Living Water Rwanda came. They brought big machines and drilled deep into the ground. Then, everything changed. Water started rushing out! At first, it looked muddy, then clear. So clear.

Everyone cheered and smiled so big. My mom looked at me and said that everything was about to get better. I didn’t really understand—but I believed her.

Once I was old enough to collect water, I never had to go to the swamp. Safe water from the well was all I knew.

The people from Living Water also showed us how to wash our hands, brush our teeth, and stay healthy.

My mom was right—everything is better.

Now, our farm grows way more crops. And they are delicious! But they’re not only there for us to eat; Mom and Dad sell them at the market to buy things for our family.

My friends and I don’t get sick anymore, so we don’t have to miss school. I’m learning so much every day! Our community is full of hope now. I’m so happy this is my home.

This well changed everything!