Rehabilitation Project
350 people in the Ebulechia Community struggle to access clean water from their primary water source, Mulondo Spring.
Field Officer Joyce Naliaka poignantly described the effects of the community's water crisis. "The lack of access to clean and safe water has far-reaching consequences for health, education, economic stability, and overall well-being. Many residents of this community are forced to spend hours each day traveling long distances to fetch water, which is often not even safe for consumption. This burden impacts women and children who are typically responsible for collecting water, leading to missed educational opportunities and increased physical strain. The health risks are severe. These health issues not only cause suffering but also place a significant strain on limited healthcare resources. The economic impact is also profound, as time spent collecting water reduces opportunities for work and income generation, maintaining the cycle of poverty."
Sixteen-year-old Lucas has experienced this tenfold. He often waits in long lines at the spring, which is in a state of disrepair. To make things worse, there have been increasing instances of violence and arguments amongst the community members.
"Fetching water is normally hard due to the long queues which are always witnessed at the spring, this and also partly due to the occasional discords that occur, which also tend to add to the time spent," Lucas said.
Lucas.
We asked if he was ever worried about his safety at the spring. He shared, "All I'll say is safety is a very paramount matter, and after the recent cases of harassment, which have resulted [in] physical injuries to some of the villagers, I will say we are all a bit worried for our safety."
Due to how much time Lucas spends waiting for and collecting water, he misses out on crucial learning time at school.
Community members cluster together to collect water.
"My grades have drastically dropped; I'm faced with a backlog of school work, which I'm unable to complete on time," Lucas lamented.
"Frustrated, that is the word that would accurately describe my feelings every time I'm sent to fetch water."
Lucas is frustrated because he knows that the very water he sacrifices his education for is the one that is sure to make him sick again.
"I get sick almost twice every month because of drinking contaminated water. About two weeks ago, I fell sick due to drinking water from this water point, which is contaminated. I was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with typhoid. I had to stay out of school for almost a week to recover. I had to work extra hard to try and catch up on my school work," he explained.
Every sip of contaminated water puts more distance between Lucas and his future goals—a future where he thrives instead of living in hardship, frustration, and danger.
Lucas at the spring that causes harm to his health.
"We've been forced to adjust our schedule at home to squeeze in time to fetch water. Secondly, the luxury we had of using water without any worry has been completely wiped off," he added.
With access to clean water, Lucas could easily catch up in school without fear of constantly falling behind. He would also be able to drink water without worrying about getting sick again.
Even in the midst of his water crisis, Lucas has dreams.
He said, "I would say most of my time would be spent on my studies and also try to focus on my passion in football, which I believe, if properly bred, would grow into something major," said Lucas.
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. They decided to safeguard the existing flowing spring.
Spring Protection
Springs are natural water sources that originate from deep underground. As water travels through various layers of the earth, it undergoes a natural filtration process, making it cleaner and safer to drink. To protect these spring sources from contamination, we construct a waterproof cement structure around layers of clay, stone, and soil. This design channels the spring water through a discharge pipe, facilitating easier, faster, and cleaner water collection.
Chlorine Dispenser
As an extra measure towards water quality safety, uniquely engineered chlorine dispensers are installed at all of our spring protection projects so community members can treat their water with pre-measured doses of chlorine. The chlorine treats any residual contamination and stays active for two to three days, ensuring water stays safe to use even when stored at home. Chlorine delivery and maintenance of the dispensers are part of our ongoing community support.
Community Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each community's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point. Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the community. Encouraged and supported by the guidance of our team, a water user committee representative of the community's diverse members assumes responsibility for maintaining the water point, often gathering fees to ensure its upkeep.
