The Kanem region bears the scars of Lake Chad, which retreats year after year. Entire communities that once lived from fishing now face stretches of cracked earth. Clean drinking water has become an unattainable luxury. The women of Kanem walked up to six hours round-trip to fill their jars with brackish water.
Zara, a mother of seven, had feet covered in scars from walking barefoot on the scorching ground. “My body knows every stone on the path,” she said. Her two youngest regularly suffered from Guinea worm disease.
Water4Chad’s borehole in Kanem was a turning point. Pure, abundant water transformed the daily lives of more than 1,200 people. Zara cried — but for the first time, they were tears of relief. Her children now drink clean water. Guinea worm has disappeared from the village.
The women of Kanem have created a savings group with their reclaimed time. They invest in small businesses. The drought hasn’t disappeared, but dignity has returned.
Lake Chad is receding, but hope is advancing. Help Water4Chad bring water where nature has taken it away. 🌅💧
💧 You Can Write the Next Chapter
As the lake disappears, the need for wells grows. Help communities adapt and survive with the gift of clean water.
