Imagine physically challenged men in an environment where water accessibility is a concern for the able-bodied person.

Water remains an essential human rights requirement that should be accessible, among other things, for personal and domestic use.

But that has not been the situation of five physically challenged biological brothers - Fred Kwarteng, Benjamin Kwarteng, Phillip Awuah, Emmanuel Yeboah, and David Gyan, aged between 27 and 43 years in Sunyani.

They rely on others for their daily activities, including water.

These adults with special needs can, at least, afford a smile, as an NGO, “Ahafo Mine Workers Touching Lives”, provides a mechanized borehole to ease the water challenges in their home at Area 2, a suburb of Sunyani in the Bono Region.

It is also expected to ease the struggle of their caretaker, Abena Asantewaa, who happens to be their late mother’s sister.

Abandoned by their father and having lost their mother 25 years ago, their aunt, Asantewaa, assumed responsibility when no one was ready to shoulder the challenge of caring for five physically challenged boys.

The situation doesn't allow her to work except to rely on the benevolence of others.

"I have been taking care of them since their mother died. I bathe and do everything for them". 

She explained that the only thing they could somehow do was eat when given food and brush their teeth. 

"You can't work with the gravity of their challenge", the caretaker noted and added that she relies on the support of others for their upkeep.

She said accessing water in the area for their personal and domestic use was a huge challenge she hoped could end.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Not for Profit Organization, "Ahafo Mine Workers Touching Lives", Joseph Akorngyah, said the decision to provide a mechanized borehole was to ease the difficulty of the caretaker in accessing safe water for their use.

He explained that the last time he visited them he observed that their mother had to go far to fetch water to clean them after they defecated, a situation he said “was not good”.

“So we sat down and agreed to get them water so that they will not struggle”, he added that “they can also sell the water to generate some income for their upkeep and the maintenance of the borehole”.

Mr Akorngyah said their gesture also creates awareness of the brothers' plight to the public so everyone to know that they exist and require support.

Abena Asantewaa said it's unfortunate they have no help from the State and any of the funds allocated to assist the physically challenged in the municipality.

She said their challenge is serious and they have no help like physio, something she was doing but could not sustain for obvious reasons.

“If they were in a developed country, they could have been doing something meaningful for themselves”, she said in a painful mood.

“We only look up to God and we will welcome support from people who are touched and are willing to help us”, Aunt Asantewaa said.

Fred Kwarteng and his other siblings could do with more support from the State, Organizations and philanthropists to improve their living standards.