The logo for the 'Land of Love, Water Cellar for Mothers' project

The 'Water Cellar for Mothers' project, which enters its 13th year in 2014, is a centralized charity water supply project to help people in western China, especially rural women, to alleviate poverty caused by severe water shortages.

According to statistics from the United Nations (UN), China is one of the 13 countries in the world with the worst per capita water shortages; the per capita amount of water resources is 7,900 cubic meters in the world, but the amount is less than 110 cubic meters in China's arid northwestern regions.

In 2000, the Chinese government began to implement the strategy of developing its under-developed western provinces. That same year, the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) called on all Chinese women to help people in western areas, especially women, to ease water shortages.

In 2001, the China Women's Development Foundation (CWDF) raised 116 million yuan (U.S. $18.83 million) to set up a special fund for 'Land of Love, Water Cellar for Mothers' and launch the charity water supply project in Gansu Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Yunnan Province and other western administrative divisions.

That same year, the 'Water Cellar for Mothers' project was selected as one of the Top 10 News Stories related to Chinese women.

In addition, the project was honored as one of China's Top 10 Charity Brands in November 2003 and won the First China Charity Award in November 2005.

During the past 13 years, the 'Water Cellar for Mothers' project has developed into a famous charity brand, earning critical acclaim from mothers and families in arid areas as well as people from various social circles.

Governments of different levels have also supported and promoted the important poverty-alleviation project.

By the end of 2012, nearly 130,000 water cellars and 1,500 centralized water supply stations had been built in 24 provinces (regions and municipalities), mainly in the west, benefiting 1.9 million people, with a total investment of more than 800 million yuan (U.S. $129.83 million).

"We used to find water to drink. What we drank was muddy water. Unexpectedly, the local women's federation and water conservancy department built water cellars for us and taught us a lot of health knowledge. With the health knowledge, we will get fewer illnesses and save money for production to shake off poverty," said Yudron, a Tibetan woman from Lindui Village, Lengda Township, Jiacha County, Shannan Prefecture, in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

In March 2011, the CWDF launched the School Safe Drinking Water Program under the 'Water Cellar for Mothers' project to provide students with access to clean water.

"Thanks to the School Safe Drinking Water Program, safe drinking water facilities and hand-washing rooms have been built at our school. Teachers and students can drink safe water after it is filtered and disinfected and develop the good habit of washing hands. There is a sharp decline in the incidence of intestinal infectious diseases at school," said Zhou Yongming, headmaster of Lanhuasi School in Dangpu Village, Third Pu Twonship, Tongwei County, Dingxi City, in northwest China's Gansu Province.

Focusing on poverty-stricken mothers, the 'Water Cellar for Mothers' project has gathered social forces to settle the problem of water shortages which have troubled China for years.

Although the 'Water Cellar for Mothers' project can't get people who suffer from water shortages in northwestern areas to get rid of the plight completely, it plays an important part in improving local people's livelihood and promoting social development.

(Source: Contemporary China Pictorial/Translated and edited by Women of China)