GIS, or Geographic Information Systems, is a means of collecting, organizing, managing, and visualizing data through maps. When working on projects at scale, with large numbers of interventions implemented, GIS can serve as a valuable tool for comprehensively displaying data through maps. At United Way Bengaluru, we have been exploring the use of GIS for one of our flagship campaigns, One Billion Drops (OBD), turning thousands of percolation wells from numbers in a sheet into clear, visual evidence of impact on the ground.
Within the One Billion Drops campaign 10,000+ percolation wells across multiple zones of Bengaluru city, reaching over 500 locations, have been constructed. These percolation wells are in campuses, parks, playgrounds, and public lands. Over the past few months, we have been engaged in the process of geo-tagging* these wells; visiting old locations to locate and record the locations and status of all the existing wells.
*Geotagging means recording the exact latitude and longitude of each well.
Two of us set out that day, two women travelling from the bustling, noisy city into a calm, almost tucked-away part of the outskirts. There was no direct bus access, and the area felt far removed from our usual work zones. When we finally reached Ayush Private Park Layout, we had a long list of OBD wells to geotag, but the silence of the surroundings and the unfamiliarity of the place made us unsure of where to begin.
That’s when we met the park caretaker. Although he had no obligation to help, this man stepped forward without hesitation. He offered not just guidance, but a sense of safety and comfort in a place where we were completely new. He knew the park like a living map, the wells, the paths, the turns, and even the trees that stood as landmarks. And despite the language barrier, he communicated with us through gestures, patience, and genuine kindness.
He didn’t just point directions; he walked with us ensuring we weren’t lost even for a moment. Together, we visited multiple parks: Ayush Private Park Layout, Bharata Ratna Sir M. Vishveswaraiah Park, Thunganagara Cricketers (Red Field Playground), and the 2nd Main Park.
With his steady presence beside us, what could have been a confusing, exhausting, and even intimidating task became a day filled with clarity, teamwork, and unexpected warmth. By the end of the day, we had geotagged 65 wells.
This experience reminded us that fieldwork isn’t only about navigating spaces, but about the people who help us find our way. As we go into the field to collect data, we are met with challenges on some days. But on other, better days, we meet humans who restore our faith in humanity.