Life for Relief and Development USA (LIFE) Water Wells Gave Communities Hope and Renewal in Togo

In many rural parts of Togo, access to clean water remains uncertain, shaped by geography, climate, and infrastructure that has not kept pace with population growth. In villages like Aouda, Kpangalam, and Kouloundé, families have historically relied on open ponds or distant water points; sources often contaminated and unreliable. For women and children, the daily task of fetching water can take hours, cutting into school attendance, farm work, and household stability. Waterborne illnesses remain a persistent threat, particularly for children. 

The burden of unsafe water extends beyond health. When clean water is scarce, education suffers and productivity declines. Children miss school to help collect water; women lose hours each day walking long distances under harsh conditions. Farming communities struggle to maintain crops and livestock without a reliable water source nearby. Over time, these constraints reinforce cycles of poverty, limiting opportunity in regions already facing economic pressure. 

Between July and September 2025, Life for Relief and Development (LIFE), through its local implementing partner SANURA, addressed these challenges by supporting the construction of clean water wells in several rural communities in Togo. The wells now serve an estimated 100 families across Aouda 1, Aouda 2, Kpangalam, Ataworo, and Kouloundé, providing safe water for drinking, cooking, hygiene, farming, and livestock. Beyond immediate access, the project focused on sustainability: communities were mobilized from the outset, trained in proper well use and maintenance, and supported by local water management teams to ensure long-term operation. 

The impact has been immediate and visible. In Aouda 1, Mariam, a 12-year-old girl, once spent hours each day walking to collect water from a muddy pond, frequently missing school. Today, she carries her books instead of buckets. “Now my daughter can dream of a better future,” her mother said. 

In Aouda 2, where waterborne diseases were once common, a village elder described the change plainly: “We no longer bury our children because of dirty water. This well is life.” 

Elsewhere, the benefits have reshaped daily routines and restored dignity. In Kpangalam, women who once walked up to three hours a day for water now use that time for farming and trade. “The well has given us back our strength and dignity,” one woman said. In Kouloundé, where dehydration once caused children to collapse in the fields, clean water has brought renewed stability. “This well is not only water,” the village chief said. “It is hope for our children’s future.” 

Clean water projects are often measured in meters dug or budgets spent, but their real impact is quieter and cumulative. In rural Togo, a nearby well means fewer illnesses, more time in school, stronger livelihoods, and communities better equipped to sustain themselves. For families who have lived with scarcity for generations, the presence of clean water is not just an improvement; it is a turning point.