A Step Toward Change – Adolescent Girls Address Drinking Water Crisis in Adilpur

In September 2024, Bareilly Diocesan Social Service Centre (BDSSC) extended its developmental work to Adilpur village of Baheri Centre, a place struggling with poor infrastructure—lack of roads, drainage, and most importantly, safe drinking water. To initiate change from within, BDSSC formed both a Child Parliament and an Adolescent Girls Group (AGs), aiming to build local leadership among the youth.

The girls were trained on key social topics such as leadership, career guidance, health and hygiene, and how to voice their concerns effectively.

One such breakthrough came from the Adilpur Adolescent Girls Group, who on January 3, 2025, conducted a meeting to highlight the most urgent issue affecting their community — shortage of clean drinking water, especially during the harsh summer months.

On January 21, 2025, after thorough discussion and planning, nine brave girls from the AGs submitted a written application to the village Pradhan, requesting the installation of a new hand pump in the village. The Pradhan acknowledged their concern and assured them that a hand pump would be installed in the month of May 2025.

Not leaving anything to chance, on March 3, 2025, four girls from the group met the Pradhan again for a follow-up. The Pradhan appreciated their initiative and reaffirmed his commitment, saying,
"I have already given you my word — in May, your village will have a new hand pump."

This journey of the Adolescent Girls Group is a glowing example of youth-led advocacy. While the hand pump is scheduled for installation in May 2025, the initiative itself has already created a powerful wave of motivation and awareness in the village.

Through their unity, confidence, and persistence, these young girls have shown that change is possible when voices are raised together.