Story of Ruquia: From Contamination to Care In Khair Muhammad Village, Karachi, Ruquia lived a daily nightmare that no mother should endure. The only available water source was an open, contaminated well—littered with garbage and filth, a place where even animals sometimes fell in. Yet, it was the only option she had. “We had no other choice,” Ruquia shares, her voice laced with pain. “I had to give that water to my children. And then I had to watch them fall sick—again and again.” — Ruquia Her story echoes the struggles of countless families who face the impossible decision between thirst and illness. Every glass of water carried the risk of disease. Every sip her children took came with the fear of what might follow. But hope arrived. With the support of generous donors and the intervention of HDF’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Program, clean, safe drinking water was brought to Ruquia’s village. For the first time, she could offer her children water without fear—only relief. Today, her home rings with the sound of laughter, not coughing. Her children are healthier. Her days are lighter. A simple glass of water, once a threat, has become a symbol of safety and dignity. Ruquia’s story is one of transformation, but it is also a call to action. Thousands of mothers like her still wait for safe water. With continued support, HDF remains committed to reaching them because no one should have to choose between water and well-being.
Story of Abida: Bringing Clean Water to Viala In the rugged, far-flung village of Viala, nestled deep within UC Omzha Vilala, District Zhob, Balochistan, life moves with quiet resilience. Here, basic necessities are a daily struggle and clean water was once the greatest of them all.For Abida Younus, a mother of young girls, every day began with anxiety. Her daughters would walk over 1.5 kilometers under the harsh sun, over uneven terrain just to fetch water. The burden was not just physical; it stole their health, their energy, and their chance at education. “The water made them sick. Malaria, typhoid, stomach issues—it was constant. And when they got sick, they missed school,” Abida recalls. “But we had no choice.” — Abida Younus In the isolation of Balochistan’s forgotten corners, the suffering went unnoticed until HDF stepped in. Through HDF’s Safe Water Initiative, clean water was brought to the heart of the community. For the first time, families like Abida’s no longer had to choose between survival and safety. “Now, water comes to our home. My daughters are healthy, they go to school, and they smile more. It’s not just about water, it’s about dignity, about a future,” she shares, her eyes welling with quiet pride. — Abida Younus In a place the world often overlooks, your support brought transformation. Because when clean water reaches the most remote corners of Balochistan, hope flows with it.
Solar Water Pump – Village Katho Sama and Bheel Tharparkar Location: Tando Muhammad Khan, Sindh, Pakistan Through the donation of Yasmeen Patel and Shaheen Hira, two sisters from HDFNA, and the work of Village Development Organization and community members, Village Katho Sama and Bheel Tharparkar now have access to an uninterrupted supply of water thanks to a Solar Water Pump. Accessibility of water was one of the first priorities the community identified when HDF came to the area. Women would normally spend an average of 3 hours pulling water from dug wells before the implementation of a water pump. Today, approximately 1,032 people, including over 508 adults, 524 children, and 810 animals all receive water from this facility. Thanks to this project, life has changed for these residents. In Village Katho Bheel there were no street lights to light the way to the water pump, so 6 solar operated street lights and 40 solar hand lights have also been provided to the village population. Thanks to HDF donors, the Solar Water Pump Project has achieved the following objectives: 1032 people and 810 animals have access to water Promoted participatory development approach by engaging community to increase the access of the people to safe drinking water through the installation of a solar water pump. Improved health and hygiene of the people by providing drinking water and raising awareness among them Reduced absenteeism and drop-out among school-aged children expected through provision of drinking water at doorstep. Empowered women by providing safe drinking water through alternative energy. Formation of Village Development Organizations in village Katho Sama & Village Katho Bheel: ToP signing with community groups Formation of Water Users Committees in villages Katho Sama & Katho Bheel Installation of two Solar powered submersible water pumps Construction of two overhead water tanks Installation of 2000 feet of water supply lead line. Water Quality Tests Installation of 6 Solar Street Lights in village Katho Bheel Distribution of 40 Solar Hand Lights in Village Katho Bheel Awareness raising sessions with the community on health and hygiene and gender sensitization Formation of Operation and Maintenance Committees in villages Katho Sama and Katho Bheel Selection of the operator for running solar pumps in village Katho Sama and Katho Bheel Introduced a clause in terms of Partnership with the community that parents will send all those children to school who used to fetch water from dug wells. Conducted awareness-raising workshops on the importance of education with the community. Ensured female representation in the Water User Committee Conducted health and hygiene sessions with female
Clean Water Project The Sustainable Environment Program focuses on reversing the loss of environmental resources. With your help, HDF has partnered with communities to complete over 700 physical infrastructure projects, including building sustainable and safe drinking water systems with delay action dams, hand pumps, and tube wells, link roads, solid waste disposal, irrigation projects, and agricultural pest management. HDF has also worked to rehabilitate flood affected villages, along with maintenance and repair of infrastructure projects in Model Villages throughout Pakistan.