A Year Later: Sumbuya Community

A year ago, generous donors helped restore water to a well in Sumbuya Community, Sierra Leone. The contributions of incredible monthly donors and others giving directly to The Water Promise allow teams to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the water project over time. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from Omoh Emmanuel with you.

Our investment in this well gives people clean, safe and accessible water in their community. And by having several conversations with different community members on hygiene and sanitation, we found that there have been many positive changes. There are clotheslines, toilets with roofs and doors, kitchens, and dish racks that are all being properly taken care of.

"Since this project came in, with the advice and teaching on hygiene and sanitation, people don’t easily fall sick these days," said Mrs. Finda Sillah.

"Most of the sickness in our community was caused by water pollution, but since your organization taught us about protected and unprotected water and the dangers of using unprotected waters, we have stopped going to the swamp and some other unprotected areas," Finda continued.

"Now, the community is healthy."

Gibriella Sillah and his mother, Mrs. Finda Sillah

"The frustration of going to the swamp and far away communities to fetch water is now over. I and my husband are now happy to know that our children no more go to the swamps or far away communities to fetch water and that they can now have time to study."

Restoration of the well is only one step along the journey toward sustainable access to clean water. The Water Project is committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by donors like you, allows us to maintain our relationships with communities by visiting up to 4 times each year to ensure that the water points are safe and reliable.

"[S]ince this organization came and dug this well, I have never late for school nor my father later for work due to finding water," shared 7-year-old Gibriella Sillah.

Gibriella Sillah posing in front of the Sumbuya well.

This is just one of the many ways that we monitor projects and communicate with you. Additionally, you can always check the functionality status and our project map to see how all of our water points are performing, based on our consistent monitoring data.

One project is just a drop in the bucket towards ending the global water crisis, but the ripple effects of this project are truly astounding. This functional well in Sumbuya Community is changing many lives.

This is not possible without the web of support and trust built between The Water Project, our local teams, the community, and you. We are excited to stay in touch with this community and support their journey with safe water.

Read more about The Water Promise and how you can help.