The water crisis is a growing problem in Ivory Coast since the September 2002 coup attempt that split the country into two and paved the way to war. People still do not get more than half the water they need.

The problem with drinking water supplies stems from infrastructures that have either been damaged, over-exploited or cannot cope with population pressures as trained maintenance personnel leave war-ravaged areas.

More than eight million people -43 % of Ivory Coast's population- lack appropriate sanitation facilities and over 4 million people still use unsafe drinking water sources, UNICEF said. But, in northern and western rural areas, the situation is worse.

The lack of access to safe drinking water and the lack of appropriate sanitation have many serious repercussions. Many children die every day from diarrhea and other water-related diseases, and girls cannot attend schools because they are busy fetching water for their families.

This sober reality and the pursuit for the well being of the deprived communities in the north led Meite Coulibaly, a 19 year-old student, to drop out of school and drop into life. Meite has become a water well drigger!

When Meite heard about water crisis and its devastating effects on the populations of Seguela, his hometown, he felt the need to do something about it. This is how Meite left school.

''Most people were surprised when they heard I dropped out of school to become a mere water well digger, and even more surprised to know that it is a charity work'', said Meité.

The number of people who have died in the last two years due to water-born and water related illnesses irritated Meite.

''Villages in the Seguela region has suffered greatly when it comes to clean water'' declared Meite. 'I used to think how to make a difference and impact my community'' he said. ''I thought, I would need plenty of money to make change happen, but now, I know it is not the case'' he added.

''Most of hand water pumps built in the area are out of use, and the only available water supply is a filthy stream polluted with pet and human waste. But, every day, women and girl-children walk miles to draw water from that stream'' said Meite.

With his own equipment; a pickaxe, a small shovel and a bucket, and without any donation from the community, Meite started digging water wells. The heat of the sun and the arid soil did not stop the determined man from digging water wells and doing anything he could to raise awareness about water crisis.

So far, the high-school-educated well digger dug about ten water wells and repaired two hand water pumps across the northern region and started a sanitation and hand washing campaign to ensure sanitation practices in rural areas with broader goal to eradicate water-related illnesses.

Meite taught hygiene principles to his community members. Lessons included where and how to built water closets and washing one's hands before s/he eats and after one uses the lavatory. But the political deadllock and the post electoral violence that broke out after the 28 November poll in the country halted his activities.

Meite still is proud of what he has undertaken, but he regrets the way his dream of providing clean water and sustainable sanitation knowledge to people in rural north was shattered by the post-electoral crisis.

''When I look back, I don't have a single regret dropping out of school. I dropped out to make a positive impact on the life of others. The only thing that hurts me is the way the post-electoral violence has destroyed wells and will destroy more lives. Now, lack of water and sanitation will take a heavy toll on villagers, and water-related illnesses might claim more lives''.

However the young man is still confident and won’t give up. ''It's going to be really hard to resume my water project for deprived communities from remote rural areas, as it is deemed unsafe to go there because of the reigning insecurity. But, only my passion for the well being of these people will keep me going and digging wells for water!'' Meite said.