Guarding the Water

My name is Lamehyani. I am 24 years old and live with my family in the Losimingori village of Arusha, Tanzania.

I am also a Moran. We are traditional Maasai warriors.

I work as a guard in the community centre and water system that was built to help our people.

Our village has been facing a water shortage since before I was born. Since the water tank was built, things have been easier for everyone.

Now, women don’t have to walk for long hours just to collect water.

I guard the water tank against animals or wanderers.

Sometimes I have to stop the children from playing with the taps or computers at the community centre.

Animals like donkeys can also break things, so I have to be alert.

I also distribute the water and organise it separately for people and animals.

People come to collect water at odd hours, from 3 am in the morning till 10 pm at night. During the summer, almost 4000 people rely on the tank, and the line follows out towards the road.

I am the firstborn in the family, so everyone depends on me. My dream is to have a good boma and help people to the best of my abilities.