www.cafod.org.uk

www.cafod.org.uk

Water photopack images and Zimi’s story

ProfileName: Zimisozettu, or ‘Zimi’ as she likes to be called!

Age: 10 years old

Where I live: A village in Hwange, Zimbabwe

Family: I live with my Auntie and my brother, as well as two cousins.

Zimbabwe

Zimi lives in Zimbabwe, a beautiful country in Africa. Getting clean water is a big problem in some parts of Zimbabwe, because the

government cannot afford to repair and look after the water pipes.

Water is like a gift from God. We don’t ever

waste water, we look after every drop.

Zimi collects water twice a day for her family.

She is thankful for the borehole nearby.

Water is very precious in life because without

water you cannot survive

When the borehole broke down, there was no money to fix it. Zimi had to walk 2-3 hours a day to collect water.

Now the boreholes are working I have time to do things I like.

Before, I spent most of my spare time fetching water but now I can

do fun stuff too.

My favourite subjects at school are English and

Maths

Even at school, Zimi has to collect water...

I get small amounts of water from the borehole near school so that I can

drink and wash my hands when I am at school.

Having water makes me feel safe.

Water should be shared by all the people on earth. It is good to share water. Water is not something one

person should own, it is for everybody to share.

When I am older I would like a tap and a toilet inside my house. If I have

water and a toilet in my house I won’t get attacked. It is scary going to get water because you are afraid

of people attacking you.

Things to think about...

• Why do you think water makes Zimi ‘feel safe’?

• What is a borehole and how does it work?

• Why does Zimi collect water at school?

• “Water is not something one person should own” – what do you think Zimi means by this?

• What differences has the borehole made to Zimi’s life?

www.cafod.org.uk

www.cafod.org.ukPhotos: Simon RawlesIllustrations: Per José Karlen