Meet Howard
Howard Mustaf
Meet Howard. At 17, he’s struggling hard to get an education. His schoolwork is suffering because of dirty water.
“We go to collect water after school hours and it makes me feel very tired. When I pick up my exercise books to read I don’t have much concentration. Sometimes that happens when you are preparing for an exam so the chances of you getting good marks are very difficult.”
Howard knows an education could change his life – and that of his whole community. But like so many children in Bokola, Howard often misses school and study time because he has to fetch the water his family needs.
Howard struggles to study for vital exams
Howard has to leave home at 6am to get to school. But he’s often late and misses out on time that he should be spending studying – because he has to fetch the family’s water twice a day, every day. Without it, no one in the family can have breakfast, wash, or get ready.
Like any 17 year-old, Howard should be concentrating on passing his exams. But right now, his life is dominated by the daily struggle to fetch water. Howard thinks that having clean water will change everything in his village. It will mean he can concentrate on school, take exams, finish his education and make a difference to the lives of those around him.
“I want to get an education so that I can help with the development of this village.”
Stay in touch with Howard this summer and see how safe, clean water and sanitation enable him to concentrate on his studies and his future.
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Hello Howard, thank you for sharing your life and for inspiring me to donate to the wateraid appeal. I hope my donation helps provide you & your village with a water pump soon so you can fulfill your dream of going to secondary school. I hope the pumps provide you with the time you need to do your homework and leave you with enough energy so you can play football with your friends. I hope good things happen for you and your family and your video and smile go on to inspire more people to donate. I wish you every success when you go to secondary school and I hope you get to fulfill all your dreams. Wishing you & your family smiles and health x Julie x
Hi Howard, I am 17 as well and I can’t imagine going through what you have to go through everyday. I really hope that your village gets a water pump soon so that you can carry on with school and playing football with your friends. This appeal is amazing and I am sure that it will change your life this summer so make sure that you don’t give up on school even though it is extremely difficult. Stay strong xx
Thanks so much for your message to Howard Anushka, I know it will mean alot to him. We’ll make sure he gets it. Isn’t is amazing how young peoples’ lives can be so different depending on where you grow up. Your support and kind words are most appreciated. Do pass on the news to your friends and family, so more people can hear about the project and get involved. Thanks Angharad
Hi Howard, You are an incredibly determined young man! I’m sure that this will get you through your education and make you a real asset to your village’s development, although it must be very difficult at times. I’m 18 myself and have just completed my last exams for school. Exams, and the preparation that goes with them, are tiring enough without having the added pressure you have to face everyday, right? I hope I can help you to raise the money you need soon so this pressure is taken away and you can concentrate on what’s important: getting a decent education and having lots of fun!
Good luck in your future exams
Charlotte x
Hi Howard! Your story touched my heart. Thank you for sharing this with us. I know how difficult studying for exams can be – and I am so sorry you feel so tired from having to collect water. I hope the Big Dig brings you the safe, clean water that you need, and that your life will improve! Well done for all your hard work, every day, to collect water for your family. I wish you the very best of luck! X
Howard – you are a very inspirational young man, its hard to believe what you have to go through . I really hope you get clean water for your village so you can focus on your education. I wish you all the best in your future. My thoughts and prays are with you. keep up with the good work.