Cooperation, leisure, jokes and happiness

This pump is unique in many ways. It is located in a very populated area so it is very widely used by more than 50 households. But water comes out very gradually, so every morning from 6.00 am until 11.00 am a long queue unfolds. The same spectacle repeats itself in the evening. The water is clean and access is reliable, but pumping takes a while and is labour-intensive, which prompts people to take turns and help each other wherever possible. There are fairly strict rules and regulations put into place, and a maximum of three jerry cans and 6 buckets per household are allowed.

While the queue of buckets forms, all sorts of things happen. You might expect that the water users are disturbed by the pump’s slowness, but people help each other with pumping, children help move the buckets forward, women sit, chat, laugh and exchange news. Some people leave their buckets behind to carry out other activities in the meantime, others hang out and socialize. The pump has become a placeholder for collaboration, jokes, relaxing and leisure. Yes, some would even say happiness. Because they don’t need to boil the water before drinking they have time for other activities, such as spending time with neighbours.