New Water Policy and Practice Issue 4, Number 1, Fall 2017 | Page 56

New Water Policy & Practice Journal
a fair system for the children, in fact in extreme situations of lack of water
children were always the least successful and had to came back home with
empty buckets. Other revolting situations could occur, such as the “direct
water losses” that in these conditions were even more frustrating—people
felt desperate when, after overcoming so many challenges to have access to
water, they got home and, by accident, the bucket falls off the head and spills
all the water on the floor. It was not only a waste of water but a waste of their
lifetimes.
Meanwhile, the situation seemed to have a safe listener, which by the
time looked like the only one. We put everything in the hands of God, be-
cause He is the one who has power over the rain. Rain brings happiness,
takes every child to the streets in a warm contact with water, makes springs
flourish, and increase water availability for every use with no cost and clos-
er to home, for at least four months.
But invoking rain was something to
be careful about, as Gabriel Mariano
sang referring to typical situation of
two years of drought followed by a
year of torrential rains: “if it doesn’t
rain, we die of drought, if it rains,
we die of drowning.” The rain was
also an indicator for work and pro-
duction in the corn and beans fields
that had a rainfall regime, produced
by the majority of our families in
the local community. This activity
is perfectly adjusted to the school
holidays, and so kept everyone with
the hoe during July and September,
the rain season in Cape Verde. “The
friendly rain” not always promised
to stay. It could delay but it would
eventually come... or not. It’s very
impressive to witness the power
Figure 1. Me and my cousin
hope has that makes the farmer to
transporting water in 1993
keep seeking the crops in dry land,
just waiting for the rain and many times losing everything they have risked.
Those mixed feelings of revolt and gratitude connected to water are the rea-
son of my professional interest in water management services that guaran-
tees equitable access, a wider participation in the decisions on water policy,
and the management of crisis situation. Nevertheless, many obstacles needed
54