Residents install water coolers outside their houses to help those grappling with heat

“I have installed a water cooler outside my home so that passers-by can quench their thirst. The initiative makes me feel good that I can extend a helping hand to those people who toil hard in summers. With this I hope to achieve the great rewards from God,” mentioned Shamsa Hamad, a widow in Amerat.

Outdoor water coolers can be a solace to several such as building workers, kids playing outside, walkers, animals like cats, and birds. “Every evening I see children playing football in the heat. The happiness on their face when they drink the cold water from the cooler gives me a certain sense of satisfaction. I have also created a small pool-like area for birds and cats as they are the worst-affected in this heat. Every evening, I refill the pool,” mentioned Mohammed al Shuaili, a resident of Seeb.

Anis Mohammad, a Bangladeshi worker in Muscat, mentioned, “I am a construction worker. I consume a lot of water when working. I need at least ten bottles of water and it is a burden on my pocket. Outdoor water coolers are a great relief as I can drink as much water as I need without thinking of the extra expense. I don’t just drink water but also sometime pour some cold water on my head. It is quite a relief. I am thankful to these people who think about people like us.”

A water cooler expenses a minimum of RO110, with installation, electrical energy and water charges added, but the happiness that 1 gets in return is unmatched.

“I got an outdoor cooler fixed at a friend’s place recently. I collected the money required from some friends who were interested in the initiative. It is the highest form of charity in the eyes of Allah,” mentioned Fatmah al Naamani, a homemaker. Water coolers are a feasible alternative as they are secure. Once installed, all you want to do is modify the filters (costing not a lot more than RO5) in a couple of months.

Information Source: Muscat Daily