By Samir Bol (SOUTH SUDAN)
Lawrence Samuel stands by the Nile River, looking at how much Juba has changed since he was born in the 1950s. Back then, Juba was a quiet place, but now it’s the busy capital of South Sudan.
He remembers the old days when families would go to the river to collect water. People would carry water in tin cans on their heads, which helped everyone feel connected and part of a community. The river was very important for life, with some parts used for bathing and others for drinking. This showed how people balanced their needs and traditions.
Joseph Okulang sprays crops with water from the river in the Bagur area of Juba, South Sudan ,May 7, 2024Lawrence thinks about how neighbours used to help each other and share laughs while getting water together. This wasn’t just a task but a crucial part of their daily lives that brought people together.
But things are different now. With more people living in Juba, there’s a big demand for clean water, but it’s hard to get because there’s no good system for distributing it.
A Flourish chartNow, big blue water tankers are a common sight, and they show both hope and the problem of not having a better solution. These tankers are trying to fix a big issue, but they also remind people that the city isn’t taking care of its water needs properly.
Lawrence remembers when, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the government started providing water piped, which made things easier. But now, that system is gone, and people rely on outside sources for water.
He also thinks about the five streams that used to be important for baths and farming but are now just memories of the past.
Another resident, Rabeh George Lado points out that these water tankers became more common after a peace deal in 2005, which also brought more foreign people to South Sudan. This change makes people wonder about local jobs and being able to support themselves.
Edward Nagbong, who runs a water station, says that only about 10% of the people transporting water are from South Sudan. This shows how hard it is for the country to take care of itself and find a lasting solution for water.
This EverydayNile story was supported by InfoNile, MICT and FOTEA with funding from the IHE-Delft Water and Development Partnership Programme, JRS Biodiversity Foundation and GIZ, on behalf of the German Federal Government.
