For years, the people of Komlabarid began their days not with breakfast or prayer, but with a burden, one that came in buckets. Children trekked down steep hills before school, women strained under the weight of water-filled cans, and elders went without baths, saving every drop for the next day. Clean water, a fundamental right, had become a daily struggle. But in 2024, something changed. What began as a trickle of hope turned into a collective wave of action, reviving not just a stream but an entire way of life.

Situated in the Katlicherra Block of Assam’s Barak Valley, Komlabarid was once sustained by a stream flowing from the nearby village of Putetui. But over the years, nature’s fury, particularly landslides and human neglect, slowly choked this lifeline. What followed was a quiet crisis: long water lines, backbreaking treks, missed school days, and a community stretched thin by thirst.

Water scarcity wasn’t just a logistical problem; it was a human one. Children would wake before dawn to collect water, often arriving late to school, tired and unfocused. Women, tasked with household chores and caregiving, spent hours each day searching for water, time they could have spent farming or resting. The elderly suffered in silence.

“We used to go to sleep without bathing after a hard day’s work, just to save water for tomorrow,” recalled Mrs. Tingsi Singson, an elder from the village. “Now, I don’t have to worry about where tomorrow’s water will come from. We finally feel some peace.”

The breaking point became a turning point when Caritas India’s FARM Northeast team, with support from Seva Kendra Silchar (SKS), stepped in, not with handouts, but with encouragement for collective action.

It began with a conversation. Then came planning meetings, dreams shared in community gatherings, and the formation of a village water committee. FARM NE provided technical guidance and raw materials, but the labour, the spirit, and the drive came from the people themselves. From teenage boys to elderly farmers, the community rolled up their sleeves to lay a 1.5 kilometre pipeline, build a 3 ft by 2 ft tank, and which can store 1,000 litres of water.

By November 2024, clean water was flowing into Komlabarid. It wasn’t just a system, it was a symbol of resilience and unity.

The impact was immediate and profound. Children now attend school regularly, no longer burdened by early morning water treks. Girls benefit from improved hygiene, allowing them to attend classes with dignity. Women have regained hours in their day, time now spent farming, caring for children, or even resting.

“This transformation has not only restored dignity to the people of Komlabarid but also demonstrated how community ownership and local leadership can solve even the most entrenched challenges,” said Tracy Lamount, Field Program Associate, SKS. “The revived stream is a testament to what is possible when people are empowered to lead their own development”, she added.

And perhaps most importantly, the system sustains itself. Every household takes a turn managing the tank, filling it, and using the water wisely, not just for drinking and cooking, but also for small scale farming. The ownership is palpable, the pride visible.

As community member Muana Sakachep put it, “Earlier we had to buy water or walk far. Now, thanks to Caritas India and Seva Kendra Silchar, we have a functioning community tank. Water reaches our homes and we even bathe freely.”

This is not just a story about infrastructure. It is a story of transformation. Komlabarid’s journey shows that when communities are trusted, empowered, and come together with purpose, even the simplest challenges can spark the most remarkable change.