Rehabilitation Project
Upon completion of the project, our partner in the field reports...
A LWI Burkina Faso team member commented, "When we arrived at the pump there were only a few people gathered, but after a little while many people came out. Even though the sun was very hot they came out in support." The community had been forced to use a river located half 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 six men and two women who assisted the team with the water project whenever possible, provided food for the team and provided materials for the team. This water committee is also responsible for collecting a monthly well maintenance fee of $0.20 per person. Most community members earn a living by subsistence farming and raising livestock. 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, Kayirsuobo Some, with a LWI Burkina Faso contact number in case their well were to fall into disrepair, become subject to vandalism or theft.
The LWI Burkina Faso team had an opportunity to meet with thirty-five year old community member and farmer, Louise Dabire, who stated, "First of all, I salute you on behalf of the village of Kombazien. In this village, when the pump fell into disrepair, we searched for water in the creek but we didn't always find water. Often it was mixed with dirt and other things. But today, with your help for this rehabilitation we are very, very happy. We have seen that this is a great thing for us. Our hearts are filled with joy. We thank you very much. Our hands are empty but we thank you for this work. I think that the pump was broken down now for 2 years, but today we are very happy. We thank you in the name of Jesus Christ. Baraka, Baraka, Baraka! ("baraka" is the local Dagara language for thank you and is an expression of their deepest, most heartfelt thanks!)"
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. After the hygiene education, community members built a fence around the well site to better protect their well.
