Village Water Pump

In the village of Léléblé, Ivory Coast, women and children used to spend hours each day fetching unsanitary water from distant sources, exposing their families to waterborne illnesses and leaving little time for school or income-generating work. Recognizing this urgent need, farmers of the SOCAHI cocoa cooperative invested over $20,300 USD in Community Development Funds to construct a village pump, transforming daily life for all 1,000 residents of the village. With clean water now available close to home, children can focus on their studies, and women have more time to care for their families, cultivate gardens, or pursue small businesses. The impact has been profound. Access to clean drinking water drastically reduced waterborne illnesses, and as a result, medical costs and days of missed school and work. For Fatoumata, a mother of three, the difference is clear: “Before, I was always tired from the trips for water. My children often got sick. Now, the water is right here, clean and easy to get. My children are healthier, and I can spend more time with them. Beyond the practical benefits, the pump has become a gathering place for the community, a daily reminder of what can be achieved when farmers and partners across the supply chain work together to invest in their future.