Akbar is an aged van driver. In a family of four, Akbar is the only earning member in his family. With limited resources, he is trying to educate his daughter & son and provide for this family. But there is more than this to Akbar’s case; he is diagnosed with arsenicosis. This happened back in 2005, when all the tube well water across the country was tested by the government. Later, Akbar realised that both his father and uncle had died of arsenicosis, except back then, they were not aware about arsenic poisoning.
After being diagnosed with arsenicosis, Akbar changed the source for water for him and his family. He began brining water from various places, each at least 30 minutes walk away from his home. Sometimes he would walk, and if it was too far, he would take his van out to bring water. But, once after knowing, never did he touch the poisonous water again.
Life was difficult, but Akbar was managing by. In 2013, when HYSAWA started working in Raipur, Madhukhali, Faridpur, Akbar was very eager to get a tube well near his house. So that no one is in his family or neighbours is affected by arsenicosis.
In the beginning, it was difficult to manage the community in CDF 701, ward no. 7, to raise money for community contribution. It seemed as though no one felt the need of a safe water point but Akbar himself. But he was adamant. This was once in a lifetime opportunity for him, and he did not want to let go of it. With the help of COs in this area, he came up with an idea. Akbar took a loan for BDT 6000, just so that he can pay for the contribution amount. His plan was to pay the amount for community contribution so that he doesn’t miss this opportunity, and later he will collect the respective amount from the neighbours. Things went according to plan.
It will be almost 6 months that the tube well near his household is set. The people are beginning to realise the difference. Slowly and gradually, they have started paying off the contribution amount too.
Akbar feels very lucky after receiving the deep tube well from HYSAWA. Unlike his father & uncle, at least he won’t die off arsenic poisoning. He lives a fitter & better life now.
Case study collected by Nusrat Daud Pritha, Consultant, Documentation Officer, HYSAWA, December 2014