What Jessica Taught Us
In early August 2022, the SafeHands team visited Nkruingo, Uganda to speak with the community about why access to water is so important. We met Jessica, a mother of eight and grandmother to many more. As a member of the village’s singing and dancing group, Jessica warmly welcomed us and openly shared her own story about walking for water.
For decades, Jessica spent most days walking to collect water. It was time-consuming and exhausting. She could only manage to bring home two jerry-cans of water most days.
Through each of her eight pregnancies, Jessica walked for water. No matter the weather or how she was feeling, she would make the gruelling 2-mile trip down the mountain to a mucky, brown watering hole used by people and animals alike. And even tougher was the 2-miles trek back up the mountain carrying a 40 lbs jerry can, her children in tow.
Each day, she carefully considered how to sparsely use the water she collected. “Should I water the vegetables or bathe my children? Should we drink this water or cook with it?” Like most mothers, Jessica always put herself last.
Today, as the family’s matriarch, Jessica wants more for the younger generation. Although her daughters still must walk for water, Jessica simply will not allow it in the last trimester of pregnancy. Instead, she ensures her sons and sons-in-law take responsibility and help walk for water.
The little money Jessica earns selling her handicrafts to tourists visiting nearby Bwindi National Park is kept for safekeeping for her ever-growing family. She saves her money to ensure her daughters and daughters-in-law can travel to the nearby hospital in advance of labour and give birth in the care of a skilled birth attendant.
“I tell my daughters to keep track and plan ahead,” says Jessica about her motherly advice. “I don’t want any of my daughters or granddaughters to give birth along the way like so many women in this village do.”
With the nearest hospital 36 kilometres away along a twisting dirt road, it is critical for women to travel in advance to await labour. Planning ahead is critical. The hospital is a lifeline for women living at a distance from healthcare and provides critical lifesaving support during childbirth.
Jessica wants all women in her village to have more information about family planning. She talks to her daughters and granddaughters to plan their families and use contraception to be able to time and space their pregnancies.
Jessica wants so much more for her daughters and her daughters’ daughters, so that they can dream bigger yet.
Pledge your support today.
This summer, we’ve also been on a mission to raise donation pledges to bring water and safe motherhood to 750 rural people living in Nkuringo, Uganda through our 2022 Big Give Christmas Challenge.
Your pledge may only be for today, but the impact could last a lifetime - for Jessica, her daughters and granddaughters. Pledge your support before 11 September 2022 to change lives for years to come.
All funds raised through the 2022 Big Give Christmas Challenge supports our project “Thrive: Addressing Water Collection in Pregnancy in Nkuringo, Uganda.”