Harvesting rain, reviving hope | Political Economy

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In Islamabad’s D -12 sector, children leave their classrooms during school breaks. Instead of running towards the school gate or playing in the dusty yard, many people head straight to the hand pump near the old Borehol. With a smiling faces, they turn away, filling the glasses of safe drinking water, reducing relief in the summer.

This is a small process, the outsiders easily remembered. But the school of the school, it indicates the silent revolution: the clean drinking water restored by the simple rainfall of rain.

Without Water

For years, the school had dug deep in the ground. But as soon as the ground water desk fell, the Borehol was dry.

The principal remembers, “Children often had to bring water from their homes.” Other schools were left quickly because they could not tolerate heat without water. “

The teachers saw how thirst lost the attention of the students during the lessons. One teacher explained, “When you are thinking about water, you can’t think of mathematics or science.”

In the midst of this challenge, a group of young volunteers came with an unusual idea: Why not use rain water as drinking water?

Insert cLime cHampens

The idea was connected under the climate lawyer and the Coordination for Flexible Action Project, which was implemented by the Pakistan Red Crescent Society in partnership with the German Red Cross, and provided financial support through the BMZ.

As part of the project, the PRCS trained young volunteers as a climate champion, and developed them with the skills of advocating, designing and implementing local climate reconciliation measures.

After his training, groups of volunteers were invited to offer conceptual notes for small projects, which has a budget of Rs 100,000. Such a group, headed by an encouraging volunteer named Pir and Nisar Chang, identified the school struggling in D-12.

“There was a borole but no water,” said Peria. “We thought that if we could recharge ground water through rain water harvest, it could serve the children again.”

Science sSuffering

The solution was easier than fraud. The team pipped pipes on the roof of the school building. When the rainfall fell, the water entered the roof and into the pipes, and its speed was collected. Instead of wasting drains or flooding the street, this water was directly converted into a dry borole.

With each rain, the underground reservoirs gradually survived.

One volunteer explained, “It was like resurrecting Borahol.” “The same handmmp, who has been useless for years, is now running again. Children can drink clean water in school without worry.”

Glad cHolden

For students, life is changing.

A boy was ashamed, “Before, whenever we were thirsty, we had to go home.” “Now, we just drink here. We are no longer deprived of our classes.”

Rain water harvesting offers a low cost, practical solution. By capturing the water, where it falls on the shores of the roofs, the courtyards and the roads, and sends it to the storage tanks or borols, the communities can reduce the dependence on external supply and recharge their ground deposits.

Another student said: “In the summer, it was very difficult for us. We did not have water and they could not get education properly. Now, water is available.”

Their happiness is echoed by the principal. “We are very grateful to the PRCS team that they started a huge project. It is running successfully, and now our children can drink water during school hours. It is not just about water, it is about health, dignity and right to education.”

A cHugs sUpport

The move has widely praised.

Sajjad Ali Kandhir, deputy director of climate change in PRCS, has seen it as a promotion of education. “This project will help students focus on their education. Drinking water is essential for learning, and our volunteers have shown that young people -led measures can bring about real change.”

German Red Cross program manager Ghulam Rasool Farooki praised the creativity of the youth. “Such measures are the motivations we need. Our youths have energy and innovation to guide climate adaptation measures. This is a shining example.”

Misbah derivatives, deputy director of youth and volunteers in the PRCS, emphasized the major vision. “Volunteers are the backbone of PRCS. His actions, such as, can be copied to other schools and communities across Pakistan. What these young people have achieved is both impressive and practical.”

And for the volunteer leader, Nasser Chang, the effort was deeply personal.

“We worked hard to make the project a success so that the children could benefit. When we saw them drinking water happily, all our efforts felt worth it.”

Rain as rain rEsource

The story of this school indicates the fact: rain can be used as a resource.

Often, monsoon rains flood roads, damage damage to homes and unused flow. At the same time, the level of ground level across the country is disturbing. According to experts, cities like Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore face critical water pressure as the equifals are eliminated.

Rain water harvesting offers a low cost, practical solution. By capturing the water, where it falls on the shores of the roofs, the courtyards and the roads, and by putting it in storage tanks or borols, communities can reduce the dependence on external supply and recharge their ground deposits.

A model to develop a copy

The school is now affecting the conversation in PRCS. The hope is that such steps led by youth can be scaled to resolve schools, mosques and community centers all over Pakistan.

Misbah said, “This is just the beginning.” “If our young volunteers can do this in the same school, imagine what they can get in hundreds of schools.”

The CACRA project is sowing the seeds of flexibility, connecting climate advocacy with lower level action. Every small project is a demonstration, a proof of the notion that adaptation does not always require billions. This requires imagination.

Rain, reimagined

As the black clouds are trapped again in Islamabad, children at D -12 school no longer see the sky with trouble. For them, rain now means to learn freshness, relief and no break.

Catching a glass of water with a smile, one student said: “This is water life. Thank you for bringing it back to us.”

Pakistan’s route for climate flexibility can begin with small steps, which have major effects.

The author is a free assistant.