Empowerment occurs when people are able to shape their own lives. People in areas where water is scarce have trouble shaping their own lives because they are unable to meet their basic needs. Maslow’s hierachy of needs states that people who can not meet their basic needs have trouble attaining higher needs such as economic development activities. If you are hungry, haven’t had a bath in many days, haven’t eaten, haven’t had a clean glass of water…you are less likely to think of ways to increase your disposable income or to better your community.
