VIENTIANE: At 7am, before the morning mist had lifted, villagers of Hatkeep village in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province carried buckets to the local water supply station. As they turned on the taps, clear water gushed out. The buckets were glittering with light, reflecting the villagers' contented smiles.
"This water is so clean and it tastes sweet," Khone Lorsavanh, a 31-year-old villager, smiled as she looked at her full bucket.
"Getting water is so much easier now. The village has plenty of clean water. I'm so happy!"
Five years ago, access to water was a major concern for the entire village. The water sources were distant, supplies were often scarce, and drinking unclean water frequently caused illnesses. These challenges had long plagued the villagers.
In 2021, the Lancang-Mekong Sweet Spring Action, supported by China through the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, brought a turning point to Hatkeep village. T
he project team introduced rural water supply technologies, constructing intake points, laying pipelines, and installing water purification equipment. By May 27, 2021, the system was fully operational, ending the villagers' long walks for water and easing their anxiety over water scarcity.
"Before, it took two hours to walk to the water source," said Davone, a 40-year-old villager, pointing toward the mountains. Beyond the distance, the water itself was a serious concern.
"Before the project began, villagers often drank unfiltered stream water, which frequently caused kidney stones and diarrhea."
"Now it takes just five minutes to get water!" Davone said, giving a thumbs-up.
"The water is filtered, so we no longer suffer from diarrhea after drinking it."
Thongchankhamdy Sisavath, a 66-year-old villager who once led the village's water-fetching efforts, recalled the past: "The water supply was very unstable, often coming only once every four or five days. Every household had to keep a water pump on hand. Back then, I guided everyone to buy pumps, wires, and fuel. Just to get water, villagers spent a lot of money."
"Now, villagers no longer worry about outages or pumping. Safe water is just a few steps away," he said.
The project not only established a collective water supply station for the village but also installed water purification equipment at the primary school of the village. Vanhkham Thongthip, the school principal, said that with purified water available on campus, teaching runs more smoothly, and children enjoy a healthier environment for growth.
"Before the water purification equipment was installed, it was very inconvenient for students to access drinking water. They often had to leave the school during breaks or even during class time to find water, which made school management difficult. On top of that, the water they drank wasn't clean, and students frequently suffered from fevers and coughs," said Vanhkham.
Souvanh Keoduangchanh, a village official, said the project has provided clean water to more than 800 villagers, significantly reducing illnesses caused by poor water quality and saving on medical expenses.
Souvanh added that the initiative is more than just a livelihood project; it is a vivid example of the China-Laos community with a shared future taking root at the grassroots level.
"This year marks the 65th anniversary of Laos-China diplomatic relations, and I hope the bond between the two countries continues to grow stronger over time," Souvanh said. - Xinhua
