The first time I experienced a lack of water was when I went to study for my degree education. I was shocked when they told me the major problem of the town was lack of water, especially during the dry season, but when it's rainy season, it was always surplus. I was also shocked when I started seeing owners of houses locking their wells and not allowing outsiders to fetch and I wondered why it was so because where I was coming from, I didn't believe water could go on exile making wells to get dried up.
With over 4 years of living in the town, I knew how strenuous it was for me to look for water everywhere and manage it. I was always happy during the rainy season because there was a surplus of water from our well without having to go elsewhere in search of it.
During the dry season, there is always a target time to fetch from the well situated at the front of the building where I lived; if you aren't up around 3-4 am to fetch water (clean one) just forget about drawing out any, and if you are lucky, you might meet little which would have turned to mud water and it would be you getting an alum to purify it which of course cannot be used until after some hours when it would have been settled. Imagine going for lectures and fetching such water. This was always an excuse for many students for not going to class because of no water to use. Some would go without bathing only to return and the search begins, moving from house to house and begging the owners to let them fetch even if it's a bucket.
I never knew I would be experiencing such when I was posted for my service. I already wrote about this some time ago where I said the necessity is what we are being deprived of as it has made some people come up with the idea of selling water for people to use. If someone had told me the truth before I moved into this apartment, perhaps I might because of that stayed or just gotten another to avoid any stress, but the way I was told there was water running in each apartment made me so excited and that, it was very neat and good to stay in. For the first month I moved in, I was enjoying the water as they would pump and all I needed to do was to fill in all my buckets and a big drum I met there.
There was a time I went to meet the pastor who also was living in the same building as he is the one pumping the water for us to use, trying to appreciate him for his kindness and making him know that I do understand how it would be hard buying fuel at higher price daily to pump water for all occupants and decided to always pay a certain amount as my contribution monthly.
He and the wife were so happy with the suggestion but told me it was a privilege I and the other occupants are enjoying because he isn't the one buying the fuel to pump but that the church is responsible for it. So, anytime there is a service in the church which is situated in front of the building, they usually pump water for us. I was so happy, thanked them and left.
All of a sudden, they stopped pumping water. At this period, I only had a little water left which I was managing expecting that they would pump water, but the first day came and went, and nothing happened, the second day came, and there was still no water. I was already out of water which got me frustrated all day. I couldn't do anything because I knew every one of us was affected. I went to meet the man in charge of the church's security and discovered there was no water in the well to pump from. I was told it is the period when water would be so scarce as it is the dry season.
I couldn't process whatever he was saying then because all that was on my mind was how to bath and go to work the next day. I calculated the stress if I were to go look for water and carry it upstairs where I stay, it would be so much hectic work for me. I asked the man if he could get me someone to help do the work while I pay, and he promised to get one the next day. So, I managed to draw two buckets from the well downstairs and carried both up. You need to come and see how I was breathing so hard that I promised never to discomfort myself. All I need to live a comfortable life is the presence of money and that, I believe God can help me.
Fortunately, someone came around the next day and fetched my water for me and I paid her. It continued for another month until some days ago, I was disappointed when I needed water and already told this woman to come which she promised to show up but didn't. I used the remaining water in the kitchen to bath and was able to go to work that day. Even though she later showed up the next day and fetched my water, she even stole from me.
Right now, I need a backup plan in case I decide to stop her from coming because of the bad act of stealing from me instead of telling me what she needed. I still haven't seen her to scold her, but I want to be sure of an alternative in case she decides not to come again as I won't be bothered when I finally get another person in her stead. This is what I am facing right now.
Both images were created by me on Bing AI
