Elders, women activists and other members of the community came together to figure out a solution. They knew that they had to act soon, because once the water source became unusable, the community would be without drinking water.

While the community knew what should be done to address their problems, they did not have enough to fund the repairs. Qorovultepa and the ELS team met and the community got to know that through the ELS the EU and UNDP supported people to make a difference in their communities. A project proposal was discussed, elaborated and finally presented to the ELS for co-financing. All in Qorovultepa participate actively in the project activities and formed an initiative group to oversee their implementation.

On 14 September Mr. Soeren Klem, EU Task Manager and Ms. Kyoko Postill, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Uzbekistan inaugurated the new water supply system. The community made the opening a real celebration with elders, men, women, young and old cheering the water running down the tap. The new system consists of 300 meters of newly laid water pipes and 4 community water taps. The community is happy that their work will also benefit the children attending the nearby school. A proud mother of seven, a beneficiary of the water project, said ‘today, our children running around the school yard have access to safe water whenever they need it. And this time, we will make sure that the water is properly used. It is our water, our future and we are proud of what we have achieved’.

The community together with EU and UNDP help has overcome the first challenge. Now a safe water source is up and running. Qorovultepa, determined to make the community a better place to live, is planning and writing the next community project proposals.

Photo by Ms Kyoko Postil