Rehabilitation Project
This project is a part of our shared program with Mariatu's Hope. Our team is pleased to directly share the below report (edited for clarity, as needed).
Community Details
Mariatu's Hope, has worked with the Lungi Government Hospital before—rehabilitating a previous open hand-dug well. However, with 150 patients daily and over 500 surrounding community members utilizing the hospital's water, another rehabilitation was necessary. The team arrived to rehab a hand dug well that had a burned out submersible pump. The lining of the well had broken and at 40 feet had a huge hole that allowed sand into the well. The team was able to repair the hole and remove the worn-out casing. Four new casings were constructed outside the well and were installed. A new electric submersible pump was installed and rolled pipe to bring water to the overhead tank above the hospital. An India Mark II hand pump was also installed so that patients and hospital staff could easily access water from this well.
Unfortunately, the new electric submersible pump lacked enough power to bring the water to the overhead tank, contradictory to the manufacture instructions. Since this submersible is important to bringing adequate water to the hospital, the team will replace the weaker pump with a more powerful one. With the newly installed hand pump, however, patients and families can easily gather safe water—taking some of the pressure off the other hand pump nearby.
The main religions in the province of Port Loko are Protestant and Muslim. Two churches are in the area: Raboni International Ministries and the New Apostolic Churches. Mariatu's Hope is working closely with these churches to minister to the patients and surrounding families. Other NGOs such as a Spanish NGO, CRS, WFP, and UNICEF—along with the government of Sierra Leone—are providing services such as adult and infant nutrition, child survival, education on teenage pregnancy reduction, malaria prevention/treatment, and maternity support. While the team was glad to see pit latrines and pour flush toilets for sanitation facilities, Mariatu's Hope sees the hygiene and sanitation need and will continue to provide WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services in the area.
Hygiene Promotion
The hygiene training was undertaken through several sessions working with several different groups within the hospital compound. The hospital staff as a whole and traders were taught lessons; and special separate sessions were held for the pregnant women and also in the Children's Ward. The main focus during the education was on hand washing with soap and water and disease transmission, though the other lessons—water saving methods, causes and treatment of diarrhea, good/bad hygiene behaviors, how to construct a Tippy Tap hand washing station, and proper care of the pump—were also given. Mariatu's Hope has a great relationship with the hospital and foresees ongoing hygiene trainings.
Community Member Interview
The team had the opportunity to talk to Kadie Kamara, a 26-year-old cook for the hospital, who stated: "I used to have to fetch water across the hospital compound and it was a lot to bring the amount of water that I needed to prepare food for the patients. I'm so happy this well has been rehabilitated and that even a new pump is inside to send water to the tank. I will have access to water at my sink. I'm so happy for this intervention. Thank you!"
