Last weekend water faucets around Yirimadjo sprung to life as the community was connected to Mali’s national water system for the first time. Project Muso’s Community Action Committee, founded in 2005, began petitioning the government for access to clean water in 2007 after a household needs survey revealed that hundreds of families perceived this as the most crucial step to local development. The committee organized meetings, a petition, and a march to the mayor’s office. In response, the government began to lay piping in 2008, and water arrived just a few days ago. As people all over Yirimadjo flocked to the faucets with buckets and water containers, even the children knew this was an important moment. “The well water we had before was dirty, but now we have clean water to drink,” said an 8-year old girl watching the excitement from nearby.