Maria's Story
Maria Amou Yel is one of 13 women who graduated to repair wells in April 2023. She is proud of her small business, which provides clean water to her community and many others. Her work also pays for her children's school fees, and Maria can afford tuition for herself, too!
Maria. Mother. Student. Mechanic.
She walks for water.
She studies at night.
She fixes pumps at dawn.
She is what hope looks like.
In South Sudan, access to water isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about people like Maria, who rise early and stay late, making sure her children and her community survive. When she couldn’t go to school as a girl, she stayed home and helped. When she had children, she kept helping. And now? She’s a certified pump mechanic, fixing the very wells that hold the future of her village.
Maria is not alone. She is one of hundreds of women trained to maintain clean water systems. She is part of a movement. She is part of the solution.
This is why Water is Basic invests in local leaders. Because when women like Maria are equipped and empowered, everything changes:
— Girls go to school.
— Families stay healthy.
— Communities thrive.
This short film tells Maria’s story. But really—it tells our story. Because when you give, when you pray, when you care, you are standing with women like Maria. You are part of this movement too.
Watch it. Share it. And let’s keep hope flowing.
