By Ibrahim S. Bangura
In the shadow of the bustling city of Freetown lies Igbo Town, a small but vibrant community tucked in the eastern corridor of the capital. While the sounds of motorbikes and traders define the nearby cityscape, life in Igbo Town is dictated by a daily struggle for a basic human need — water. For years, residents have cried out over the severe water shortage, but the situation has reached a crisis point, affecting not only health and sanitation, but also undermining the education of children and increasing the risks of teenage pregnancy.
Every morning, long before dawn breaks, the footpaths of Igbo Town fill with young girls, buckets on their heads and flashlights in hand, marching to nearby hills and broken-down wells in search of water. “We wake up by 4 a.m. every day just to fetch water. Sometimes we get to school late or not at all,” says 13-year-old Mariatu Sesay, a Junior Secondary School pupil on Tuesday June 17, 2025. “If the well is dry, we have to go all the way to Kissy Dockyard.”
The walk to and from these water sources takes hours and is physically exhausting, especially for children. For many pupils in the area, missing classes due to this daily routine has become the norm. Teachers at the local government school in Igbo Town report a noticeable drop in attendance and academic performance, particularly among female students. “Our girls are tired by the time they arrive at school — if they come at all,” says James Samura, a senior teacher in the community. “They can’t concentrate in class. Some even fall asleep while lessons are going on. This crisis is silently stealing our children’s future.”
The situation takes an even darker turn. Community leaders and parents have expressed concern that the water crisis is exposing girls to exploitation and sexual abuse. “Some of these girls are approached by older men when they go out to fetch water, especially at night or very early in the morning,” said Fatmata Koroma, a mother of four and long-time resident of Igbo Town. “I know of two girls who got pregnant last year because of this. They were promised money or water in exchange for relationships.”
Teenage pregnancy is a growing issue in the community, and elders are worried that poverty, combined with a lack of safe access to water, is making young girls vulnerable. According to Chief Pa Alimamy Kamara, the community headman, “This water crisis is not just about hygiene anymore. It’s now affecting our morals, our education, and the safety of our children. We’ve written letters, made calls, but no sustainable solution has come.”
The absence of pipe-borne water and the breakdown of local boreholes have made the problem worse. Residents rely on seasonal rain or uncovered wells, which are often contaminated. This has led to recurring cases of diarrhea and skin infections, particularly among children. “We’re pleading with the government and NGOs to come to our aid,” said Hawa Conteh, another parent. “We need a community water tank or a reliable borehole. We’re suffering too much.”
A visit to one of the dried-up water points at the center of the town revealed the desolation of what once served as the community’s lifeline. Children queued up for over an hour to get a gallon of muddy water from a shallow ditch. A 10-year-old Lamin Bangura, explained, “This water is not good, but we have no choice. Sometimes it makes our stomach hurt.”
Community elders have continued to advocate on behalf of the people but express frustration over the lack of response from authorities. “We have held several community meetings, engaged local councilors, and sent delegations to the Water Ministry,” said Chief Kamara. “They always say ‘we are working on it, but we are yet to see the results. Our children cannot keep suffering like this.”
Despite the hardship, the sense of resilience in the town remains strong. The community recently organized a self-help group to manually dig a new well, but progress has been slow due to lack of tools and skilled labor. “We are doing what we can, but this problem is bigger than us,” said Elder Musa Jalloh, a retired mason. “Water is life. If we don’t solve this, the cycle of poverty and vulnerability will continue.”
Water insecurity in Igbo Town is more than an inconvenience — it is a threat to health, education, safety, and the very development of the next generation. As the rainy season approaches, residents hope for some relief but worry it will only be temporary. “We are not asking for much,” said Mariatu, her school uniform stained with dust and sweat. “We just want clean water, and a chance to go to school like other children.”
Local and international stakeholders are urged to respond with urgency, not just with promises but with concrete interventions. The lives and futures of hundreds of children hang in balance.