Mahera - 5 Amina Street

Project Snapshot

Country: Sierra Leone

GPS Coordinates:
  Latitude 8.603750
  Longitude -13.185617

Impact:
  Total Served: 400

Status:  Completed (What's This?)

Completion Date (or estimate): 12/30/2010

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When the team arrived the community was utilizing an open, contaminated well to meet all of their water needs and because of this residents were suffering from Dysentery, Malaria, diarrhea and severe dehydration. The community was happy to have their well sealed and were actively involved with the well rehabilitation. Community members participated by providing materials, labor whenever possible and security over the water project during the night. The majority of community members sustain a living by petty trading or working for the government. The nearest school is located one kilometer away from the community whose students, teachers and administrative personnel all have access to the new, safe water source. Before leaving the community the team provided community member Kadijatu Jaward with a LWI contact number in case their well were to fall into disrepair, become subject to vandalism or theft.

The team had an opportunity to meet with forty year old female community member and local trader Marsary Samura who stated, “The old water source was not safe. It was very stressful. We suffered a lot with our children by putting the rubber into the well. The water was not good and the well was not secure. With this new sealed well and new hand pump, the water is clear to drink and it is much easier to get access to the water.”

During the hygiene education the following principal issues were addressed: Disease transmission, Germs, Hand Washing- proper techniques and water saving methods, Healthy Unhealthy Communities, Diarrhea Doll- causes of diarrhea, Oral Rehydration Solution, Proper care of the pump, Keeping the water clean, Good-bad hygiene behaviors and Disease Transmission Stories.

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