Written by: Victoria Paranavithana

On June 3rd, Sri Lanka was hit by heavy rains, leading to severe floods and landslides. As floodwaters began to recede in Pathakada, a new concern arose: the availability of clean drinking water. Many households in the village rely on their own wells, which were now contaminated with dirty, foul-smelling water due to the floods.

Facing a race against time, the floodwaters had infiltrated the village's numerous wells, making the water cloudy and unfit for use. Since many families depended on these wells for their daily water needs, the situation became critical. Recognizing the urgency of clean water, four Tzu Chi volunteers quickly stepped in to assist. They rented submersible motorized pumps and hoses, arriving in Pathakada prepared to tackle the problem head-on.

Tzu Chi volunteers brought in 3 submersible motors and other necessary items to clean the wells at Pathakada. | Photo by Victoria Paranavithana | 2024/06/10

A Community Effort

The flood water had mixed with the well water, making it unsafe to drink. The Tzu Chi team utilized pumps to extract the murky water. Meanwhile, villagers joined in, scrubbing the well walls to eliminate any lingering dirt.

With class resuming, the first stop was to clean the Pathakada School well. The principal, teachers, students and several parents together with Tzu Chi volunteers made preparations to start cleaning the well. | Photos by Victoria Paranavithana | 2024/06/10

Working Together, Well by Well

Over the course of two days, from June 10th to 11th, Tzu Chi volunteers worked tirelessly alongside the villagers. They used submersible motors to pump out the murky, contaminated well water. While the pumps ran, the villagers took the initiative to clean the well walls. It wasn't a quick fix, as each well took about an hour to clean thoroughly. By the end of the second day, a total of 49 wells were sparkling clean and ready for an official check by the Public Health Inspector, who then added necessary chlorine to ensure the water was sanitary for use.

Tzu Chi volunteers went house to house, and together with the villagers, they worked together to clean one well at a time. | Photos by Victoria Paranavithana | 2024/06/10

A Lifesaver for the Village

The villagers were deeply thankful for the help of Tzu Chi volunteers. Without their support, the villagers faced an uncertain future, unsure when they could clean their wells and have access to clean water again. The clean water provided a lifeline for their families.

Villagers cleaned the inner walls of the well while the murky water was pumped out of the well. | Photos by Victoria Paranavithana | 2024/06/10

Sincere Gratitude

In an interview, Udayangani Nilmini from Mahadurupitiya, Pathakada, reflected on her experience with Tzu Chi. She recalled, "Our first interaction with Tzu Chi was through Pathakada School, where they generously provided school supplies and undergarments to the students. Knowing that Tzu Chi was founded by a Buddhist nun and has overcome numerous challenges to carry out humanitarian work worldwide, we deeply appreciate our association with them."

She continued, "Tzu Chi once again came to our aid, braving the flooded streets of Pathakada to ensure the well-being of residents affected by the flood. They took the lead in helping our villagers clean our wells by bringing necessary equipment to our community."

Expressing her aspirations, she added, "I hope to become a Tzu Chi volunteer in the near future. Many villagers are also interested in joining Tzu Chi to contribute to helping others whenever possible."

Udayangani Nilmini, lives in Pathakada with her husband and 2 daughters. She hopes to become a Tzu Chi volunteer in the near future. | Photo by Victoria Paranavithana | 2024/06/10

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

This is how Tzu Chi volunteers help communities in need. By working alongside the people affected, they provide a helping hand during difficult times. With a little elbow grease and a lot of heart, they are able to bring back a sense of normalcy and hope.