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Water Mamas
Written by: Grant Assenheimer
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My Monday mornings are always a bit stressful. It is my job to literally wade out into a crowd of local Congolese women and select 10 of them to be our water haulers – our Water Mamas – for the week.
Inside the compound, we officially start each day with a morning meeting at 8:00 am. The crowd outside the gate is already gathering by then. If you were one of these women, you would be there early to stake out your spot. Likely, you have a baby strapped to your back and have your two oldest daughters waiting in different parts of the line to increase your chances. This is the only real opportunity you’ll have to earn any money this week so it is a big deal. Everyone is talking, there is some pushing and an argument breaks out beside you as someone tries to force her way into the line. A mixture of excitement, hope and desperation can be felt in the air.
Immediately after the morning meeting, it’s time. Trailing behind my Assistant Log, I head outside the compound and am greeted by over 300 people like you. Some try to grab the numbers out of my hand. Others tug on my sleeves, hoping to attract my attention and increase their chances. But most just wait patiently. Hoping that maybe this week I might pick them. Not the favorite part of my job, that’s for sure.
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