Up to 20 Kilometres for Water: The Reality Facing Women in Longido

Longido District lies in northern Tanzania, close to the Kenyan border. Home to pastoralist Maasai communities, the district is characterised by a rocky, semi-arid landscape where rainfall is limited and reliable sources of water are few.

Cattle grazing across the dry, rocky landscape of Longido.

For communities living across this area, access to safe water remains one of the most pressing challenges, with minimal rainfall and limited water sources. The water available is often contaminated with fluoride and unsafe for drinking.

Women and children fetching water from a sand dam in Longido.

For many women, accessing this water means walking up to 20 kilometres each day to fetch it from a single sand dam, then carrying it back over the same difficult terrain in a 20-litre jerrycan to meet their families' daily needs. The time and physical effort required to make this journey add another burden to communities already navigating a changing climate and limited access to essential services.

Jasmeen, a US-based intern working alongside our local partner, Mulika Afrika, carries water in a jerrycan in Longido.

As part of our long-term plans for Longido, We are working towards sustainable water security solutions, including exploring options such as solar-powered boreholes, rainwater harvesting and community-led water management systems, with the aim of developing safe, fluoride- free water solutions by 2027.

To create awareness of the challenges women face in accessing water in Longido, we are running the Longido Water Challenge. Participants will walk a set distance while carrying a 20-litre jerrycan, representing a small part of the journey many women make to access water.

By taking part, we can work together to help create lasting change in Longido. Be part of the change today. Whether you join the challenge, support someone taking part or make a contribution, there's a way for everyone to get involved.

Longido, Tanzania