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Tap That!

Of Water, Land and Us. (Vol.2)

By Carolyn Chon

May 12^th, 2014

chapter four : treading through

At what point do we throw in the towel? Are we supposed to throw in the towel? One of the most basic human right surely has to be access to clean water. Why do we build skyscrapers when we’ve not even provide access to clean water to the rest of our countrymen?

As a developing nation, are we in such a rush to build a nation of an educated society that we have lost sight of those in rural areas and their basic needs? Are we in such a rush to build a socio-economic powerhouse that we forget that there are thousands left living in conditions not suitable for children? When and where does the line get drawn to highlight these urgent issues?

chapter five : the younglings

They say that children are our future, but what good is it when children can’t really carve out time for proper education because they are too preoccupied with walking a distance to get water for their household?

chapter six : the old 'uns

Almost forgotten, if not bound by filial responsibilities and sometimes obligations, the older folks are left to live on their own. These two grandmothers we came across, live right opposite one another with their daughters and are also coincidentally blind because of glaucoma. Fortunately, they have their daughters to attend to them, it makes walking to the almost dried-up river for baths easier.

chapter seven : water runs dry

Walking to get water is one thing, walking to get water where the river is drying up is one thing. Imagine having to make a well within the river line!!

the final chapter : is this the end?

This lady is approximately 100plus years old according to her 60 or 70 something year old daughter. She has a granddaughter studying in West Malaysia, perhaps in search for a brighter future. Two elderly women living in this household, no men in sight. One passed on, one left.

What do they live on? Here, you see the mother making bracelets with beads, even though she is blind and her daughter, walks around the field collecting coconuts to sell for less than USD0.30 per coconut.