On this World Water Day, we share the story of Abdelaziz, the water keeper of Achbarou village whose daily work sustains an entire community. Throughout Abdelaziz’s 63 years, his life has been shaped by responsibility, loss, and resilience. He left school at a young age, despite being a strong student, when his father asked him to help support the family after his mother passed away. Like many children in similar circumstances, he stepped into adulthood early, carrying both economic and emotional burdens.

He spent years working in marble, a trade he remembers with pride. At the time, it was a craft rooted in skill and precision, where artisans paid close attention to detail and took ownership of their work. Over time, however, he watched the profession change. The craftsmanship that once defined it began to disappear, replaced by practices driven by “profit, greed, and darkness”. Noticing these changes, Abdelaziz chose to leave the trade in 2002. 

The years following his decision were marked by uncertainty and exhaustion. Abdelaziz moved between souks (markets), selling cigarettes and trying to make ends meet, but never quite finding stability. However, his path shifted when a long-time friend, El Houssine, invited him to work and live in Achbarou. Abdelaziz accepted and has now been there for just over two years, taking on a role that has given him both purpose and security.

Today, Abdelaziz manages the community’s distribution of water through the solar-powered pump, well, and basin installed by the High Atlas Foundation, ensuring that it reaches 44 households who “directly benefit from  it” through a network that extends nearly three kilometers in all directions. This extensive piping “is not just for [the] immediate spot, but serves all the neighbors in the vicinity”. When neighbors need water, Abdelaziz regulates its flow, making sure it is shared across the community. 

In a setting where agriculture depends entirely on access to water, his work directly supports the livelihoods and personal needs of hundreds of people. As he explains, “water is essential for the land and the trees. Without water, nothing can be produced, because the trees are like a soul: they need water to stay alive.” According to Abdelaziz, the real pressure lies in the summer months, when heat intensifies and all households require more water at the same time. During these periods, demand exceeds what the system can easily provide, revealing the limits of infrastructure and making careful water management essential. 

Abdelaziz’s story highlights a reality that often goes unnoticed. Water systems are not only built on physical infrastructure, but also on the individuals who operate and maintain them every day. His work reflects a form of local stewardship that keeps communities functioning, especially under strain. On this World Water Day, his experiences remind us that behind every system of distribution, there are people quietly ensuring that water continues to flow and reach those who need it most.