Where Water Flows, Life Grows in Trincomalee

In the sun-scorched fields of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, access to clean water was once an everyday struggle. Families walked long distances under the heat, carrying heavy containers from unsafe, distant sources. For years, the people of Maniyarasankulam lived with this hardship, watching their crops dry up and their children fall ill from contaminated water. 

In May 2025, Life for Relief and Development stepped in to change that reality by constructing a deep water well that now provides safe, accessible water to dozens of families.  

The initiative began with a careful needs assessment to identify the most vulnerable communities. Regional coordinators worked alongside local residents to ensure the well’s location would serve the greatest number of people. Once the site was selected, construction began quickly, and the well was completed successfully, offering reliable water access throughout the year. 

For Mr. Saburdeen, a dedicated farmer whose fields had suffered for years from water scarcity, the new well changed everything. “We were struggling to obtain clean water. We used to walk so far to fill our cans and pots,” he said. “The water we fetched wasn’t clean, but we had no choice. This well brought us great relief. The water is clean, and we are happy to have access to it anytime.” With access to steady water, his crops now flourish year-round, boosting his income and strengthening the entire village. 

Thirteen-year-old Nawas also felt the transformation. Each morning, before school, he used to walk more than two kilometers to collect water for his family. “My mother was unwell, and my sisters were too small to help,” he recalled. “I just wanted to make sure they had water to cook, wash, and drink. Now the water is right here. It’s clean and enough for all of us. I can go to school on time, and my mother doesn’t worry anymore.” 

For families like these, a simple well has brought profound change, time to learn, freedom to farm, and the peace of knowing that clean water is no longer a distant dream.