Connected by Flowing Narratives: Stories of Water & Change
In honour of World Water Day 2024, this online feature is dedicated to celebrating the profound connection between individuals and water, while shedding light on pressing global water issues. This diverse collection of personal narratives and photographs serves as a testament to the multifaceted relationships we share with this vital resource. As we immerse ourselves in these accounts, we are not only inspired by the depth of individual experiences but also reminded of the urgent need for collective action to safeguard our planet’s most precious resource.
Water Restores by Eddy Lee
For about thirty years, I frequently journeyed to our family’s rural coastal retreat, nestled in a village that my parents established for their eventual retirement. However, this serene haven was not always as idyllic as it appeared. Initially, the land lay barren, stripped of vitality by generations of corn cultivation and the excessive use of fertilizers.
When Water Paved New Ways during Those Incessant Drizzles by Minu Benny
The 2018 Kerala floods is an unforgettable incident in my life of 32 years. Experiencing the agony in and around me still has not vanished the unpleasant memories of greenery underwater. Kerala witnessing a similar event after 94 years left us almost unprepared to overcome it. It was the time when the fishermen’s community and Indian forces worked hand in hand helping lives to find safe shades.
Water as Life & Light for Vulnerable Communities in Southern Togo by Agbavito Koku Selom
The problem of drinking water has been a major concern for local rural populations in south-west Togo. For this reason, drinking water is becoming a commodity, as water sources such as large-diameter reservoirs and rivers are so far from human settlements. Even so, there are certain days of the week dedicated to the search for drinking water for all households.
Harmony’s Voyage: Towards Sustainable Living by Racha Abou Chakra
I feel a profound connection to the environment around me that would shape my journey in ways more harmonious with nature. My transformative experience began when I joined an international environmental project called “Out to Sea: The Plastic Garbage Project.” I was aware of the extent of the damage we face as approximately 80% of all marine pollution is composed of plastic…
In a Rainy Spring and Between Two Dams, a City Thirsts for Water! by Baker H. Amin
Growing up, one of my biggest weekly challenges was to plan for the weekend. Yet, this was not in the traditional Western sense; rather than discovering new places to go out with my friends and family, this planning consisted of determining which springs and wells to drive to in order to get 7 days worth of fresh drinking water!
Is Water a Protected or Unprotected Human Right? by Beatriz Garcia Granados
When I was a child, I used to live in one of the suburbs in Mexico City, a place in the middle of the mountains and outside of the city. Close to my friends and family’s neighborhood, there was a conservation area with a lot of trees and a river. We could not afford vacations; for that reason, we spent a lot of our free time in this beautiful place.
