Access to clean water should never stand in the way of a child’s right to an education, yet for Kamama from West Pokot County, Kenya, it does every morning—a daunting task–fetching water before school. With an empty 10-liter can, she begins her 14-mile round-trip journey to the nearest water source. The scorching sun is already rising by the time she fills her container and starts the long walk back. By the time Kamama returns home, her school day has already started. She rushes to change, grabs her torn notebook, and runs 5 miles to her classroom–arriving sweaty, exhausted, but determined.
For Kamama and millions of children across Africa, water scarcity is not just a survival issue–it is an education issue. Time spent collecting water is time stolen from learning. And in schools with no clean water, concentration becomes a daily struggle.
As I learned about Kamama’s life, I couldn’t help but think: What if my education depended on how far I could carry a bucket of water?
World Water Day, an annual United Nations observance day held on March 22, highlights how 2.2 billion people around the world live without access to clean water.
While water scarcity is a global issue, it particularly impacts Sub-Saharan Africa, with 1 in 3 people affected, according to the World Health Organization. The 2024 UN World Water Development Report describes how “the number of people without safely managed drinking water in Africa has increased from 703 million to 766 million” since 2015.
Africa’s arid climate, combined with climate change, political instability, and lack of infrastructure, contributes to a lack of water. It also hurts livestock and encourages increased displacement as whole villages in Africa are forced to leave home to search for clean water. The consequences are deadly–they include higher mortality rates among the elderly and young children. If the water is unsafe, it also exposes school children to waterborne diseases like typhoid, cholera, and dysentery.
Without water, students in Africa barely make it to school. Whether it’s disease outbreaks or needing to walk miles to find water, students are either too sick or too tired to make it to school. For students like Kamama, survival becomes more important than learning. According to charity:water, a non-profit dedicated to clean water access, schools with proper water sources see higher attendance rates, improved academic performance, and lower dropout rates. For students like Karmara, education is a ticket out of poverty. but without clean water, that opportunity is slipping away.
While Africa bears the brunt of this crisis, water scarcity is not limited to developing nations. In the United States, communities in California, Arizona, and even parts of the Midwest are facing increasing water shortages due to climate change and the mismanagement of resources. According to National Geographic, the water crisis in America threatens agriculture, industry, and public health. If left unaddressed, the world’s most developed nations may soon face struggles similar to those in Africa–albeit on a different scale. Water is more than just a survival necessity; it is the foundation of education, health, and economic stability worldwide.
As I read about Kamama’s daily routine, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own. Every morning, I wake up and turn on the tap water to take a shower without thinking. I grab a bottle of water before heading to school, where classrooms are air-conditioned and drinking fountains are everywhere. I have never walked miles for water. I have never missed school because I was too dehydrated to concentrate. But what if I did? What if my ability to get an education depended on how far I could walk for water?
Kamama’s story forced me to rethink my privilege. I’ve always seen school as something I have to do. But for millions of children across Africa, they fight for school every day.
That realization hit me deeply, inspiring me to express my deepest emotions through art. I picked up my brushes and began an oil painting of children like Kamama, capturing her hopeful gaze as he longed for a future where her thirst–both for water and for knowledge–could finally be quenched. With each brushstroke, I felt the weight of her struggle and her resilience. By the time I finished, I no longer saw school as a burden but as a privilege that I would never take for granted.
Call to action
Kamama’s struggle is not unique–it represents millions of children across Africa. But there are ways we can help:
- Support clean water initiatives–Donate to organizations like Charity Water, UNICEF, and The Water Project to help build wells and filtration systems in schools. Even a small contribution can bring life-changing water access.
- Raise awareness – Share Kamama’s story with your friends and family or on social media. Use your voice to spread awareness about the link between water and education. Consider organizing a fundraiser or giving a short talk at school.
- Take a moment of gratitude–The next time we find ourselves complaining about school or daily inconveniences, let’s remember that millions of kids would trade places with us in a heartbeat. Gratitude can inspire action.
- Get involved–Volunteer with local or international organizations working on water access. Even small efforts–like writing to policymakers or joining community efforts–can create a lasting impact.
As Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid activist and former President, once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
Let’s remember the strong relationship between education and water every time we fill up a glass. And let’s make sure that no one ever has to choose between clean water and their future ever again.
