Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) Secures Access to Safe Drinking Water for Hundreds of Vulnerable Residents in Rural Sri Lanka
- ajoyce140
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Sri Lanka is known as ‘The Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ – a fitting name that captures the outstanding natural beauty found within its unique lands. However, while the country boasts stunning views of luscious greenery and misty mountains, it’s a saddening fact that there are pockets of this picturesque land where many people suffer from water scarcity.
As demonstrated by its natural beauty, Sri Lanka enjoys an abundance of seasonal rainfall and comfortably relies on this for its population’s survival, as it makes up for over 80% of the freshwater resources. While this dependency serves the majority of the country well, it also leaves a smaller population neglected and highly vulnerable to the varying climates and erratic monsoons, both of which are further exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
Above all, however, it is the varying climates found within the country that make the issue of water scarcity truly significant in Sri Lanka. There are a number of provinces - specifically rural areas - that are dry zones, experiencing low rainfall, poor infrastructure, and an over-reliance on groundwater. These dry zones are susceptible to droughts, leading to water scarcity and, as a result, crop losses, threatening food availability and livelihoods. Many vulnerable people in rural communities face immense hardships as they endure the impact of prolonged heat conditions.
With this in mind, Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) has overseen the digging and installation of two deep wells that were established on December 24th, 2024. These deep-water wells with pumps were installed in the rural villages of MaavandikKulam and Rithithenne, where they serve a community of 112 and 158 people, respectively, benefitting 270 individuals in total.
The villagers were previously heavily reliant on fetching water from far distances or were forced to use the sour, salty water, unfit for consumption, that was available in shallow wells. Many families were left no choice but to purchase drinking water - an unsustainable and costly solution for an already vulnerable community - in the daily struggle to access drinking water.
Thanks to your donations and the efforts of LIFE’s team, the community has now been provided with a sustainable drinking water source. The new facility has brought much-needed relief to the residents and has drastically improved their quality of life. This project has not only alleviated the financial burden but has also restored hope and dignity to the people of MaavandikKulam and Rithithenne.
The impact is captured in the account of one of the residents. To secure her family’s survival, a mother shares the exhausting efforts she would go to for years, waking up before dawn and walking nearly two kilometers to fetch water for her young children. After all that, the only water she could retrieve was “muddy, but we had no choice”. Driven by the need to survive, they endured the health risks that came from drinking the contaminated water. However, she shares her eternal gratitude, recognizing the impact the new deep well in her village has on her family: “I can finally provide my children with clean water without worrying about their health. I am forever grateful!”
The impact depicted in this personal account echoes the immensely improved situation for the hundreds of beneficiaries in these villages. From the elderly, to widows, to vulnerable children, your donations and the efforts made by LIFE through these water projects have transformed their reality from one of hardship, sickness, and struggle, to one of dignity, health and ease.
