Project Status



Project Type:  Dug Well and Hand Pump

Program: Wells for Masindi / Jinga Uganda

Impact: 300 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Oct 2015

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 03/07/2024

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Community Profile

This project is a part of our shared program with The Water Trust. Our team is pleased to directly share the below report (edited for clarity, as needed).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Kyeganywa I Ndalama is a village located in Kigumba I Parish, Kigumba Sub-County, Kiryandongo District with an estimated population of 300 people living in 47 households. This village has a small trading center surrounded by maize and cassava gardens where residents work all day and retire in the evening for drinking the local brew. Water for consumption among residents is collected from open sources which are contaminated by open defecation. This filthy water which residents drink is said to be the leading source of water borne related diseases among the clean and safe water starved residents of the village.

Ms. Birungi Grace, a 42-year-old resident of this village, says that residents sent and invitation through their chairman after a meeting with one of our Community Development Officers who mobilized them for sensitization on safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Mr. Susu Gandensio, the village chairman, affirmed in his application letter for partnership that the village had been mobilized to contribute all locally available materials like sand, bricks, and hardcore on top of providing accommodation to a technician we shall send to work with them in the process of constructing the water source.

There will be an intensive program to provide access to clean water and sanitation in this village. The community will participate in excavating and constructing the water source. In the meantime the aim is that all households own an improved latrine. Many households do not use a latrine but use the bush. Due to the practice of open defecation, faeces are spread all over the village and contaminate open water sources. Our aim is to ensure that the community is able to live a healthy life, free of preventable waterborne diseases. We strive to work in partnership with the community to access safe clean water and improved sanitation.

HYGIENE AND SANITATION STRATEGY

The main objectives of the Sanitation and Hygiene Program are the use of latrines and observing proper hygiene practices as these goals are inherently connected to the provision of clean water. Open defecation, water storage in unclean containers and the absence of hand washing at critical times are all possible contaminates to the water supply at the household level. We leverage this relationship by requiring each participating village to achieve Open Defecation Free status (defined by one latrine per household), prior to the pump installation for a shallow hand dug well. Using the immediate gratification of clean water as an impetus, we can work towards sustainable, interdisciplinary WASH development.

The social program includes the assignment of one Community Development Officer (CDO) per village. The CDO encourages each household to build an ideal homestead that includes: a latrine with hand-washing facility, a rubbish pit, a separate structure for animals, and a drying rack for dishes.

Community Led Total Sanitation

We implement the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach with each of our village partners. We facilitate a CLTS session in which we aim to improve the sanitation and hygiene practices and behaviors of a village. During these sessions, village leaders naturally emerge and push the community to realize that current practices of individual households – particularly open defecation– are not only unhealthy, but affect the entire village. CLTS facilitates a process in which community members realize the negative consequences of their current water, sanitation and hygiene behaviors and are inspired to take action. Group interactions are frequent motivators for individual households to: build latrines, use the latrines, and demand that other households do the same.

CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS

September 9, 2015

Today we delivered Technician Sejengo Richard who will be assisted by Amanze Geoffrey to construct the hand dug shallow well. We also sited with support from the community and excavation commenced upon selecting a suitable location.

September 21, 2015

Excavation work hit water 21 feet deep and the community also delivered their materials. We are now progressing through the aquifer zone till a good water column is found.

September 28, 2015

Excavation work is progressing well through the aquifer zone. Presently the well is 28ft deep and soil formation has changed to soft and collapsing. The deepening method is being used to overcome collapsing soils.

October 10, 2015

At 33 feet with a water column of 12 feet, all masonry work has been concluded after confirming that the water column in sustainable. The well is now covered to cure as we plan for its installation.

October 21, 2015

Today we installed the pump and the community is now enjoying clean and safe water from the water source as shown in the pictures below.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO MADE THIS PROJECT POSSIBLE!

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Project Type

Hand-dug wells have been an important source of water throughout human history! Now, we have so many different types of water sources, but hand-dug wells still have their place. Hand dug wells are not as deep as borehole wells, and work best in areas where there is a ready supply of water just under the surface of the ground, such as next to a mature sand dam. Our artisans dig down through the layers of the ground and then line the hole with bricks, stone, or concrete, which prevent contamination and collapse. Then, back up at surface level, we install a well platform and a hand pump so people can draw up the water easily.


Contributors

Project Sponsor - St. Therese Foundation