From the Water-Wasteful ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ Comes Pipelines Built in Nepal So Kids Don’t Have to Haul it From Afar
A Scotsman, after living many years in Nepal, decided to transform the spirit of the Ice Bucket Challenge into something truly impactful—building water pipelines for remote villages. And, thanks to his efforts, over 112 families now have direct access to drinking water.
Ian Bent was in the village of Bimiri since 2014 discussing the lack of water and what could possibly be done about it, when someone tagged him in an “Ice-Bucket Challenge”, the online craze at the time.
He posted a rant on social media saying pouring good, clean water over his head was an absolute waste and made no sense.
He said if anyone wants to do something charitable, to hand over $20 or whatever they could afford for the construction of a well to provide water to “a village full of amazing people”.
2020 data from the World Health Organization showed that 3.3 million Nepalese lack access to running water, forcing many to walk long distances to bring water home.
Ian said he would personally deliver 20 liters of water to a village using a traditional basket strapped to his head, called a DOKU. The response was overwhelming. Hundreds of people reached out, sending donations totaling more than several thousand dollars—and the Bimiri Foundation was born.
Soon, his friends took part in “the DOKU Challenge” to experience firsthand the effort it takes to carry water from the source to the homes.
The DOKU Challenge – The Brimiri Fundation“Delivering a single doku of water might seem like a drop in the ocean, but the emotional gravity of the task is massive for a person from a land of abundance to haul water like this” said Jim Tolle who was traveling in Nepal and joined the group.
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From buckets to pipelines
The entire community is involved in building the pipelines. Children and parents dig trenches where the pipes are laid. A local engineer oversees the connections. But that’s not all. Sometimes, to deliver necessary materials, they have to build access roads or secure electricity. It’s a massive undertaking.
But the effort not only improves living conditions but also expands opportunities: small eateries emerge, more livestock is raised, and families can dedicate more time to their children’s education.
The village of Bimiri now has running water to every home so that the women and girls who live there, some as young as 10, no longer have the heavy daily burden taking up hours of their time.
“Ian is a real hero,” Tolle told GNN. “Although an outsider and a loner, he is an incredible example of the kind of person worth emulating.”
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“Now that we have finally reached success in the first village,” Ian wrote on his Foundation’s website, “we have set our targets on installing one tap to every home in the entire Namobuddah district, made up of Sawara (approximately 2km from Bimiri), Cheggin, Balukurka, Gurgaon, Chinde, Darakuteri and Karbardunga.”
“We have already begun costing this project and hope to begin work very soon!”
Additionally, Tolle says a program is soon launching that will foster that role model among children. Students from a Scottish primary school will visit Nepal to support Ian’s foundation and learn about the importance of helping others.
Consider donating at TheBimiriFoundation.com – And Share the Story on Social Media So Others Might Donate…