The scarcity of clean drinking water is a significant problem for the semi-arid, farming community of Nokna. Village women must walk up to 2 hours everyday, over very hilly terrain, to collect water 2 to 3 times a day.

Eric's project will construct two hand pump wells to provide the Nokna community with reliable access to clean, drinking water. The hand pumps will allow village women to gain easy access to drinking water, reduce the need to wait for water to recharge, and alleviate the strain put on existing water resources.

Nokna, a rural village in Rajasthan, India, was established 180 years ago when villagers from Dojha Talaya migrated to the dense forest area that is now Nokna. They dug deep pits as shelter, which gradually became huts made from dry branches and leaves. Today, homes are made of mud bricks and roof tiles but are still very temporary structures.

Hunting was the villagers’ main form of livelihood and it now relies on farming and animal husbandry (raising cattle, goats, and other livestock for milk and other byproducts). However, the area is very arid and drought prone. Drinking water for humans and animals is limited and irrigation water is almost non-existent.

The villagers migrated to Nokna to in hopes of alleviating their water problem and hoping access to better water resources would reduce their need to migrate.

Community member details not available yet.

Direct Impact of Your Project

Provides 40 families with safe access to water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and washing. Reliable access to clean water will greatly increase the health and sanitation of the village. Availability of clean drinking water will decrease cases of dysentery, diarrhea, cholera, typhoid and other water-borne diseases. Families will also be able to use excess water to clean and wash regularly, improving the hygiene of the Nokna community.

Additionally, available water can be used for irrigation for winter crop cultivations. Increased agricultural production will provide the community with grain and fodder for cattle, resulting in increased income and food security.

Extended Impact on Your Partner Community

The ability to procure water in the village center will eliminate the need for women to spend several hours a day to obtain water from other water sources. Time saved can be used to for productive activities such as agricultural work and embroidery, allowing women to earn an extra income for their families.