Inayado is living with dignity and respect
In the Thar desert of north-west India older people are leading their communities in the fight against the effects of the climate crisis by using traditional rainwater harvesting techniques.
“When we didn’t have a tank, we’d have to go to the ponds and lakes... Now it’s much easier ever since the tanks have been constructed, we can store four months’ worth of water at a time.”
“My name is Inayado. I’m 70 years old, and I live in a small village in the Thar desert, north-west India. The heat is stronger than it used to be, and it doesn’t rain like before. Back in the day, it would pour for three months straight. Valleys and drains would overflow. We don’t see that anymore.”
The long walk for water
“Before the taanka (water tank) was built, we had to go to ponds and lakes but the local pond would dry up in the winter. If that happened, we would have to fetch water from far away. We’d get tired. During the day, we had to work and then at night collect water, we couldn’t sleep. That’s how we lived.”
The taanka changes everything
“The tanks can store four months’ worth of water and fill up with the rain. It’s been a great thing. I’m at ease because of this.”
“We used to worry about water every single day. Not anymore.”
Inayado (left) and her friend using the taanka in the village.
Older people are leading their communities
Age International works with Inayado’s community to empower the older women in the village to maintain the taanka. In addition to making their life easier, they enjoy the responsibility and feel proud about it. Inayado told us: “Since the taanka was constructed, I’ve gained respect. People in the community see what we’ve done. Even my daughters-in-law tell me: ‘Because of you, we’re at ease too.’”
Dignity in older age
For Inayado and the other older women in her community, today feels better than yesterday. Inayado told us: “I feel content and at peace now, all thanks to this development.”
As we age, it can feel that we are leading life with less respect and dignity from our family and community. The Grandparents United community helps to fund projects like Inayado’s, that give older people the opportunity to step up and lead their communities, and in turn, enabling them to gain the respect they deserve.