Life here is challenging...

Donkey cart filled with jerrycans.

But not for me.  Yes, I do live a simpler lifestyle compared to what I had back home, but then again, I chose to live this experience. No, I’m talking more about the challenges that the people of Dilla face on a daily basis.  My living situation is actually very good compared to those who live outside the Salesian compound.  The Sisters’ home is serene, clean, and more importantly, it has its own supply of water.  However, this past month, the residents of Dlla had to deal with a two-week water shortage in the middle of the dry season.  Normally, water is supplied to the city only once a week during which time families have to store up enough for cooking, washing, and drinking to last them for the week.  In the streets, you see children and women carrying Gerry cans to fill their water; boys also drive donkey carts stacked with these cans of water to sell. So you can only imagine how difficult life was for them when their already limited supply of water was suddenly cut-off for two weeks without a proper explanation from the authorities.

Trucks being washed in the river.

Nearby rivers and creeks also serve as water sources for these people; however, water levels are already very low.  Also, the river water is dirty and polluted as people use it to wash not only their clothes but their motor bikes, trucks, and donkey carts. As a result of the poor, dirty water supply, many people contract bacteria-related illnesses as well as malaria, typhus and typhoid.  The health clinic operated by the Salesian sisters get hundreds of these patients every week where they receive low cost medical assistance (TB and malaria medicine is actually given for free as part of a government initiative).

Children carry jerrycans every day 

as part of their chores.  

Yet, life goes on for these people and they some how cope with these challenges.  Our first-world problems such as getting 24-7 Xfinity/Internet access or finding the nearest Starbucks pale compare to worrying about getting access to the most important source of life, water.