Success Stories
Bakabhai Natubhai Rathwa
Every drop counts
In the hilly terrain of Chhota-udepur, water scarcity has always been a harsh reality. Summers are especially exhausting in Gunata village, where dry taps and long walks to fetch water define the season. For Bakabhai Natubhai Rathwa, a 35-year-old mason, and his wife, Hemanginiben Rathwa, (30), who works as a cook at the local government school, this struggle was an everyday challenge.
Hemanginiben recalls the struggle for water. “During the summer months, I had to walk almost three kilometers just to fetch water from the river. It wasn’t just tiring—it took so much time out of my day. By the time I returned, I was too exhausted to focus on anything else.”
In 2023, when the Shroffs Foundation Trust reached out with a solution to his woes under NABARD’s Watershed Development program, Bakabhai didn’t think twice. The idea of rooftop rainwater harvesting seemed like a simple yet effective way to ease their water woes.
The project brought a significant change to their home. A 10,000-liter tank was built, designed to store rainwater collected through a pipe system connected to their roof. The water passes through a filter made with layers of stones to ensure the water is clean and potable. A hand pump was also installed to facilitate easy access to water.
“Now, I don’t have to spend hours walking to fetch water,” Hemanginiben says with relief. “I can focus on my cooking job and spend more time with my family. It feels like we have regained so much time and energy.”
Bakabhai echoes her sentiments. “The tank has made life easier, not just for us but for the entire village. During summers, we no longer panic about not getting sufficient water.”
For the Rathwa family, the rooftop rainwater harvesting system has not just provided water—it has brought a sense of ease and hope. Hemanginiben now smiles when she talks about her day. “It feels good to have water right at our doorstep. It’s one less struggle to deal with.”
This small intervention has transformed their lives in ways they never imagined. In a village where every drop of water counts, the Rathwa family now looks forward to summers without worry, ready to face the season with confidence.