Photo: A solar-powered water supply network in Paktia Province constructed through STFA’s Fund. © STFA Mohammad Omar Kamal

“Before, there was no water. We had to walk very far, 60 to 90 minutes, just to bring water. We had to fetch water three or four times a day. I had pain in my back and feet.” Eid Bibi, a 40-year-old single mother of eight, recalls the daily struggle she faced in her village, Naw Abad, near Gardez City in Paktia Province.

It’s a struggle common to many people in rural areas of Afghanistan. But in Naw Abad, through the joint programme of STFA, relief has come through the installation of a 7.5-kilowatt solar system that powers a water, sanitation, and hygiene facility. The community can access water even when electricity is unavailable, another common problem in Afghanistan.

As part of the intervention, 119 water taps were installed in each home and street. “Now, thankfully, we have water,” says Bibi. “We wash dishes and clothes, and we are happy to have water. Now I do not have to go far because the water is here. We are glad.”

While providing access to water, the initiative also supported the local community and labourers by offering short-term employment opportunities, helping them meet basic needs.