Caring: Angélia takes care of everyone in her community
In the community of Issombo, a grandmother takes it upon herself to care for the children and communal assets
Kenia Diva
Angélia Chikumbo is considered the mother of the community of Issombo village in Bocoio province. She looks after her own elderly mother and six children who are not her own. Angélia also assists at the local school, training the other women how to cook the school meals and the pupils to take care of the facilities.
“She is just like her name; an angel,” says Manuel Pedro, a teacher at the school. “She is a servant to the community, an amazing superwoman.”
Angélia does all these things, she says, to show her gratitude, especially for the borehole that ForAfrika installed a few years ago.
Angélia has lived in the community her whole life and is very involved in all the activities going on around her. She spent a lot of her time farming and still goes to collect water a few times a day from the borehole.
The borehole is a bit of a walk from the village, down a hill – and back up again – but the distance and the weight of a large jerry can on her head does not bother her.
“Before the well, we had to go to the river – that is about 15 kilometres away. It was not so good that water. Sometimes there were worms in it. This water is clean from under the ground. I am so grateful for it.”
Angélia says that the borehole has changed life for them in Issombo – and for the thousands of people who live in neighbouring areas too. A lot of time is saved by having the water nearby and they can spend their time more productively, planting vegetables or looking after their cattle. Any money earned is often put back into the village to the benefit of everyone.
Together the villagers have made bricks to build the school and a church. They recently built a new toilet block at the school which Angelia is in charge of. She diligently locks the doors at night and is quick to scold the children if they do not keep it neat and orderly.
“For us it is a joy to have them [the latrines]. It shows a respect for us, it gives us our dignity,” she says. “I really, really appreciate it. Twapandula”
The community has shown its appreciation for our organisation by maintaining the borehole themselves.
“We have to look after our water, I am worried it will dry up because we rely on it so much. It has improved our health and lives,” she said.
Kenia Diva is Communications Officer in Angola
