Rehabilitation Project
Upon completion of the project, our partner in the field reports...
A LWI Burkina Faso team member commented, "There was such an outpouring of people who came to the well. The women sang and danced a long time with such joy even in the hot searing sun of West Africa. One of the most interesting things about this village is that it is on the border regions of the Dagara and Pougouli people groups. They speak different languages but they live very similarly. This is one of the few places where we have a cross-cultural church as services are conducted in both Pougouli and Dagara. This is a shining example of how this Dagara church movement is expanding to neighboring people groups. The Pougouli dance is very interesting and entertaining to watch as well as one of the pictures indicates." When the team arrived, families were using a river located .7 of a kilometer away from the community to meet all of their water needs. Because of this and the community’s practice of open defecation, families were suffering from dysentery, typhoid and malaria. During the team’s stay, community members assembled a water committee consisting of four men and four women who assisted the team with the water project whenever possible and provided meals. This water committee is also responsible for collecting an annual well maintenance fee of $1.50 per person.
The LWI Burkina Faso team had an opportunity to meet with thirty-seven year old community member and farmer, Romain Some, who stated, "When the pump was broke down, we suffered to have water to drink and to meet our needs. We asked for help to the left and to the right for someone to partner with us. Yet here it is, today thanks to God, our pump is rehabilitated and water flows abundantly. We want to thank you very much for this rehabilitation. And, may Jesus Christ help you to help all the other villages who have suffered like us. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much!"
During the hygiene education, the LWI Burkina Faso team addresses: Hand washing, how to properly transport and store water, disease transmission and prevention, how to maintain proper care of the pump, as well as signs and symptoms of dehydration and how to make Oral Rehydration Solution. All of these lessons are taught in a participatory method to help community members discover ways to improve their hygiene and sanitation choices, and implement community driven solutions.
