In the remote village of Babiyakharka, located in Aiselukharka Rural Municipality of Nepal’s Khotang District, access to clean and reliable drinking water was once a distant dream. Families, especially women and children, had to walk long distances along steep hillsides to reach distant, often contaminated water sources. They had to spend hours each day fetching water. This daily burden led to physical exhaustion, reduced time for education and income generation, compromised personal well-being, and increased exposure to waterborne diseases.
Recognizing the urgent need, dZi partnered with the community of Babiyakharka to bring a transformative change through the Babiyakharka Drinking Water System Project, a sustainable solution to the village’s water crisis that would change lives. With the vision of one house, one tap, dZi successfully constructed and installed 41 taps, eight reservoir tanks, and four distribution tanks. More than 8,660 meters of pipeline now carry clean water directly from the source to the local homes, benefiting hundreds of people.
On 13 May 2025, dZi officially inaugurated the project and handed the water system to the Aiselukharka Rural Municipality and the User Committee to ensure long-term sustainability. Girendra Rai, Chair of the Rural Municipality, expressed appreciation for dZi’s work in the community, saying, “Water is life. We are forever grateful to the dZi Foundation for their recommendable support in our communities. Their unwavering commitment to providing access to safe drinking water has transformed our community's picture for the better.”
Goma Puri, one of the recipients of the Babiyakharka Drinking Water System Project, shares, “Since the completion of the project, the time to fetch water has dramatically reduced from three hours to just a minute. This facility has made my daily routine much more manageable by allowing me extra time to efficiently handle multiple other tasks.”
For families, the difference has been life-changing. With water taps just a few steps from their doorsteps, women and children no longer spend hours each day collecting and carrying heavy containers of water. Women now have more time to care for their families, tend to their farms, engage in community work, or even start small businesses. Children, too, have more time and energy for school and play.
Lokendra Bahadur Puri, a grade 10 student, says, “Previously, I often arrived late to school because I had to fetch water from distant sources, which hampered my studies. The lack of proper water and sanitation facilities made it difficult to maintain hygiene. But, since the implementation of this project, my daily routine has improved significantly. I now reach school on time without worrying about fetching water, and the improved sanitation facilities have made it easier to maintain personal hygiene. This project has truly made a positive impact on my life.”
Waterborne diseases have plagued Babiyakharka many times in the past. Now, with access to clean drinking water, community members are hopeful for a healthier future. Man Bahadur Rai, treasurer of the Babiyakharka Drinking Water System project, says, “We used to drink contaminated open well water, which caused many waterborne diseases in our village. Now, thanks to the Babiyakharka Drinking Water project, we finally have access to clean and safe drinking water at our doorsteps. It will truly change our lives.”
The Babiyakharka Drinking Water System stands as a testament to how the right support can empower communities. It has brought not just water, but also time, health, education, opportunity, and dignity to the community. More than just infrastructure, this project marks a milestone in the community’s journey toward a more resilient, hopeful, and better future.
