Rehabilitation Project
Upon completion of the project, our partner in the field reports...
Community Details
When the Living Water Burkina Faso team arrived in blazing hot Bondigui Community, which is located 11 degrees north of the equator surrounded by desert sand on the north, there were 509 families, a health clinic and 2 churches who were struggling to find drinking water. Because of the extremity of their water situation, 8 unprotected wells, various forms of surface water, 9 tube wells and 10 protected hand dug wells were being utilized to meet 509 families’ most basic water needs. Those residing in Bondigui have access to shared communal facilities, though most continue to practice open defecation. The team further addressed this poor hygienic habit during hygiene promotion, where they emphasized the importance of using only the shared communal facilities for defecation purposes. During the well rehabilitation, community members established a water committee comprised of 4 men and 2 women who assisted the team with the rehabilitation when possible and supplied any materials they had available. This committee was also trained to manage the community’s water supply and maintain the well.
Hygiene Promotion
During the hygiene education, the following principle hygiene issues were addressed with 76 participants: Germs, hand washing – proper techniques and water saving methods, good-bad hygiene behaviors, proper care of the pump and keeping the water clean. 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.
During the hygiene education a participant commented on his excitement over having new knowledge on safe hygiene behaviors, "The Lord’s will has permitted us to have clean water and also to gain the good health in our village!"
Community Member Interview
The Living Water team had an opportunity to meet with 42-year-old community member, community water manager, mayor and farmer, Sie, who commented, "I want to thank you for this rehabilitation that you have come to do in the center of our village. Clean water at this area of the community is always insufficient. We cannot thank you if it's not for the good works of the all-powerful. Together the authorities of the community wish you always a good welcome for your partnership that you have brought here in our community in the domain of clean water. We are very proud of all the activities, past, present, and also in the future!"
