Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) Provides Clean Water and Transforms Lives in Gobso Village, Niger

In Niger, one of the world’s most water-scarce countries, access to clean and safe water remains a daily struggle for millions. According to UNICEF, more than 40 percent of Niger’s population lacks reliable access to safe drinking water, forcing families, especially women and children, to walk long distances in search of wells that often run dry. This scarcity affects health, food production, education, and economic opportunity, making clean water a necessity, the foundation for survival. 

In response to this urgent need, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) completed a new water well project in Gobso Village, located in Magaria District of Zinder Region, Niger. The project ran from February 26 to April 24, 2025, and now provides clean water to more than 800 residents or 102 families. The well, drilled to a depth of 27 meters and equipped with a durable hand pump, stands in front of the village’s main gathering area, ensuring easy and safe access for everyone in the community. 

Before the project, families relied on a shallow, hand-dug well that frequently dried up, particularly during the scorching summer months. Many villagers were forced to fetch water from distant communities, losing valuable time and energy each day. For those who were elderly, widowed, or living with disabilities, this daily task was often impossible without help. With the new well, residents now have a stable source of clean water for drinking, cooking, and agriculture, improving both health and livelihoods. 

For Malan Soufiane, an elderly blind man and longtime resident of Gobso, the change has been life changing. “Before, I had to pay a young man to bring me water from other villages. Now I can collect it myself. This well has given me back my independence,” he shared. 

This project brought dignity, stability, and opportunity to a community that has struggled for years. By reducing disease, saving time, and supporting local livelihoods, the well in Gobso stands as a symbol of what sustainable aid can achieve.