Sowing Trust, Harvesting Tomorrow: Building Water Resilience in Morena’s Anganwadis
Traveling through Morena in the peak of summer is an experience that immediately makes you appreciate the
value of water. The earth cracks under the relentless sun, air shimmers with heat, and every drop is
fiercely contested. In this landscape, water scarcity isn’t just a problem, it’s a daily reality, especially
for children and women who bear the brunt of inadequate access
In response to this, the Centre for Water Resilience under United Nations Global Compact Network
India undertook a project to install rainwater harvesting systems across 30
Anganwadis in Morena, Madhya Pradesh. The goal was clear: strengthen water security and
resilience at the community level. But as we soon realized, the bigger challenge wasn’t the technical
installation; it was convincing communities to invest in a solution that would benefit groundwater and
aquifers every year, even if the immediate effects weren’t visible.
Unlike other interventions where benefits are immediate – a repaired handpump, a new toilet, rainwater
harvesting is an investment in the future. Many locals were skeptical at first. “Abhi ka fayda kya
hai?” was a recurring question. Why should they participate if the system wouldn’t provide instant
relief?
Building trust was crucial. The terrain was challenging, not just physically but socially. To reach the
people, we needed credible voices like Anganwadi workers, schoolteachers, and respected women leaders, who
could help translate the benefits of the project into terms the community could understand. These champions
became essential in turning curiosity into belief.
Convincing people to support a solution with no immediate payoff was the hardest part. But slowly, trust
began to take root, and with it, engagement.
The women of Morena became the lifeblood of this initiative. They were the ones most affected by water
scarcity, often walking miles to fetch water during dry periods. They had heard stories from nearby regions
where similar systems had improved water availability, and they saw the potential for their own children.
At every meeting, these women showed up, sometimes bringing husbands, neighbors, and children along. One
woman simply said, “Paani bachao, jeevan bachao.” Save water, save life. It became more than a slogan — it
became a guiding principle for the project.
The turning point for us came during a visit to Haveli, Ambah where a group of schoolchildren, eyes wide
with curiosity, peppered us with questions: “Bhaiya, agar dharti me paani bhar gaya toh kya paani khatam
nahi hoga?” (Bhaiya, if the underground water aquifers fill up, will they never dry up again?)
Their
enthusiasm was infectious. Soon, adults were engaged too, examining the tanks and understanding how the
system worked. Participation began to replace persuasion, the community was no longer passive recipients;
they were active partners.
Before we could harvest rainwater, many Anganwadi rooftops needed urgent repair. Some leaked so severely
that centers had to shut down during rains. By repairing the roofs first, we solved two problems at once:
restoring infrastructure and creating a functional catchment for rainwater.
Installing the systems was not without its technical challenges. At the One Stop Centre, the site was
complicated, a dense network of sewage, water, and gas pipes ran through cemented pillars. Unlike the AWCs,
where the first-flush was wall-mounted, here we had to slope the roof on one side and build the first flush
underground, navigating existing structures carefully. Each site demanded tailored solutions.
Training the workers and the communities was just as important as installation. Video materials, technical
guidance, and on-site sessions were conducted to ensure the systems remained functional after handover. This
exit plan was designed not only to maintain technical integrity but also to empower the community to take
ownership.
Other challenges included remote locations that slowed monitoring, and varying engagement levels across
blocks, which meant that some communities needed more intensive awareness and support. But with consistent
dialogue, training, and presence, even the toughest communities began to understand the long-term value.
Despite these hurdles, the project achieved significant milestones. All 30 Anganwadis now have fully
functional rainwater harvesting systems, and the communities are actively participating in maintenance. The
repair and upgrade of rooftops ensured that centers are now fully operational during rains, children can
attend classes without disruption, and staff can perform daily activities without worrying about leaks.
Local champions i.e., the women who had attended every meeting, are now guiding others. At Kheda Mewda, the
children’s curiosity inspired the adults to engage more closely. Across blocks, the initial skepticism has
transformed into ownership. Communities are monitoring the tanks themselves, ensuring they continue to serve
their purpose.
Perhaps most importantly, we have developed a replicable model for other Anganwadi centers. New buildings
can now integrate rainwater harvesting into their design from day one, ensuring that future projects don’t
have to navigate the same obstacles.
Working on this project reshaped my understanding of what sustainability truly means. It’s not just about
building systems; it’s about listening, adapting, and empowering people. Feedback loops became the backbone
of our approach. Every observation, concern, or suggestion from the community was incorporated into the
design, strengthening the effectiveness of the system.
I learned that impact doesn’t happen at the point of installation, it unfolds over time, through consistent
engagement and trust-building. CSR funds carry an implicit responsibility: the project must deliver tangible
and lasting benefits. In Morena, we learned that creating sustainable impact meant combining technical
innovation with robust community participation.
This project is a small but powerful illustration of sustainable development in action. It directly
contributes to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by improving water access and management.
It also intersects with
SDG 5 (Gender Equality), reflecting women’s central role in the project SDG 13
(Climate Action), by building resilience to rainfall variability; and SDG 17
(Partnerships for the Goals), highlighting the collaboration between UN GCNI, local
stakeholders, and community members.
Morena became a micro-model for sustainable development, where infrastructure, inclusion, and foresight
converge on one roof.
Today, the roofs sit silently, awaiting the next monsoon. But I still think of the children at Kheda Mewda,
eyes wide, questions endless, imagining what the system would do once the rains came. Five years from now,
these same children will live in communities that value every drop of water differently.
In Morena, when the first rains fall, they no longer go to waste. They begin a story that took patience,
trust, and effort, a story of how belief can turn rooftops into reservoirs, and hope into lasting water
security.
– By Rishab Chopra – Consultant.
Introducing the Unseen:
The Challenge of Long-term Impact
The Heart of the Project:
Community Participation and Curiosity
On-ground Innovations:
Fixing Roofs, Fixing Systems
Moments of Success
Reflections: Listening,
Adapting, and Creating Impact
Broader Relevance: Linking
to the SDGs
Closing: The Promise of
the Monsoon