Samar, a ten years old girl from al-Hamrah village of Udain District - the Governorate of Ibb- went out in the morning as usual to fetch water. She and a number of young girls from her village headed for the Manboosh spring in Qadeef Valley. Samar didn't know what fate awaits her that day. She didn't know it was the last time she would go out to fetch water and may not come home alive.

The pond collecting the spring water had a different design for Samar that day. Samar drowned and was pronounced dead. That day, the pond sent a chilling warning to the local residents not to send their young children to fetch water anymore.

Drought

The drought leads to the drying up of the regular water sources in the villages of Maghrbah, Anker, Bait Al-Mejaham, Sa'dad and al-Rumiyah, especially in the winter, forcing all the villagers to travel the long distance to Manboosh Spring to fetch water. The pond in front of the spring was really dangerous for young girls. Samar's tragic drowning may happen again if there is no solution.

Water Reservoir

A field survey by the PWP and consultations with women villagers showed that a water harvesting reservoir was a top priority to alleviate the hardship and relieve women from suffering the hardship of fetching water from the distant valley. Most importantly, the reservoir would protect the lives of young girls and put an end to the tragedy marked by Samar's death.

Peace of Mind

Wazirah Hazbar, a housewife said PWP's intervention in building a water harvesting reservoir will address problems suffered by tens of women and young girls in Manboosh and surrounding villages. It would provide clean drinking water, especially in the winter when water springs dry. It will also provide safety for young girls who were at risk of falling into the pond in front of Manboosh spring.  Samar's tragic death will not happen again in the future.