LocationsAuthor: Gulnur Kaypnazarova
The Path to Water Through Life...
November 29, 2024
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan, Gulnur Kaypnazarova
When you hear the word "woman," what comes to your mind? Perhaps the image of a mother whose love knows no bounds? Or a keeper of the hearth, whose care and warmth create comfort for the entire family? Or maybe you envision an unwavering personality, for whom obstacles are merely new heights to conquer on the path to their goal? Or do you see a warrior, ready to defend her principles and loved ones?
In today's world, women are breaking down outdated stereotypes, proving that their nature is multifaceted and cannot be confined within the narrow framework of traditional perceptions. They demonstrate a remarkable ability to adapt to any life circumstances, exhibiting both traditionally feminine qualities – empathy, care, intuition – and those previously considered masculine – determination, willpower, strategic thinking.
Ulbosyn Yesekeyeva
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan, Gulnur Kaypnazarova
Today, we will learn about the remarkable story of a woman whose 75-year life journey is one of continuous forward movement. Her biography is a shining example of how one can remain true to their principles, never give up in the face of difficulties, and overcome any obstacles with dignity. In her character, the best qualities of both determination and empathy are harmoniously intertwined, allowing her to find unique solutions in the most challenging life situations.
We are heading to one of the remote districts of Karakalpakstan in Uzbekistan — the Chimbay district, where our heroine Ulbosyn Yesekeyeva was born and raised. She lived her life in difficult conditions, considering the vulnerability of the Aral Sea region to environmental and socio-economic problems. One of the acute problems remains water scarcity. The community of "Pashenttau," where Ulbosyn lives, is one of the remote communities with a fairly large population. The desalination plant in the community fell into disrepair due to its old construction — a water purification system with a capacity of only 8 m³/hour was built in 1985. The initial capacity of the station was designed for 100 households, but the population increased to more than 300 households. All this led to a shortage of clean drinking water, and community members had to consume unsafe groundwater for years.
The UNDP team conducted an assessment through community mobilization discussions, where local residents unanimously identified the drinking water problem and put forward proposals for reconstructing the desalination plant and building water supply networks in the Pashenttau VCC. As a result, within the framework of the UNDP project " The Project for Supporting Self-reliance through Climate- resilient Agriculture in the Aral Sea Region" with financial support from the Government of Japan, the desalination plant was reconstructed, a water pipeline with a total length of 1,000 meters was laid, and additional new desalination equipment with a capacity of 12 m³/hour was installed, increasing the capacity of the desalination plant to 20 m³/hour.
Despite the overcast autumn day, a white ribbon was cut at the opening ceremony of the desalination plant, symbolizing the provision of access to clean drinking water for 1,897 community residents, of whom 1,104 are women who traditionally were responsible for water delivery. Among them is Ulbosyn, whose life has significantly improved after connecting to the water supply network. Now, thanks to the connection to the modern water supply system, clean water has appeared in her house – a symbol of progress and new opportunities, freeing up time for family, self-development, and more productive activities.
What difficulties did Ulbosyn's young family have to overcome in 1970? At that time, working in the rice fields, Ulbosyn and her husband faced the first wave of difficulties — water shortage, when the Aral Sea waters began to recede. This affected all residents, especially those from remote communities, who had to walk kilometers for water and carry heavy containers across the desert terrain. According to our heroine, wives and children were responsible for water delivery.
Each day for Ulbosyn and her husband began with a 4-kilometer walk to the fields: her husband left for work at 6 AM, Ulbosyn at 7 AM, returning by 7 PM. During this time, her young children — the eldest son, a third-grader, and the middle son, a second-grader — walked 3 kilometers to the well for water. They tied two containers with rope and dragged water home. To avoid losing their two-year-old sister, the eldest son tied her with a rope to his waist — this way, the little one was always in his sight while their parents were at work.
Ulbosyn, like other residents, used to purify groundwater by cutting the bottom of a bottle, placing cotton in the neck, and pouring water from the top
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan, Gulnur Kaypnazarova
Ulbosyn is holding a portrait of her deceased husband
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan, Gulnur Kaypnazarova
Ulbosyn worked in the rice fields for 28 years. During this time, she had to endure difficult times when her husband became disabled. Working in the irrigated fields, they had to cultivate rice barefoot. After some time, her husband's vision began to deteriorate, and he became completely blind. Then symptoms of Alzheimer's disease began to appear. For 8 years after her husband's illnesses manifested, she became the main breadwinner and cared for 5 children and her husband. She had to go for water with her children early in the morning until sunset to avoid long queues. After her husband's death in 2002, Ulbosyn was left alone with 5 children.
"Children became the main helpers in water delivery — each had their own container they were responsible for. This was their constant work from an early age — carrying water. The distance they covered was 3-4 kilometers," says Ulbosyn, sighing sadly.
When Ulbosyn began working as a cook at age 45, the water problem became even more acute. She had to walk to the well, covering 3 kilometers several times a day, as she cooked food for 30 workers in the brigade. Imagine: a woman carrying heavy containers such a distance with children. Her workday began early in the morning and ended late at night — she cooked for shift workers until 11 PM.
Ulbosyn shows a portrait of herself in her youth
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan, Gulnur Kaypnazarova
Now Ulbosyn is 75 years old, living with her granddaughter from her middle son. Thanks to the reconstruction of the desalination plant and the installation of water supply, she no longer has to travel kilometers for water. Now clean drinking water is available right in the house, which has significantly improved the daily life not only of Ulbosyn but of all 1,897 community residents. This story clearly shows how important infrastructure projects can radically change people's quality of life, especially in the remote regions of the Aral Sea region, where every drop of water is of enormous importance.
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