Rehabilitation Project
Our implementing partner reports...
The community was elated over the new pump. They expressed their relief from worry, as a child had recently fallen into the old well and was killed. The mother of the child attended the hygiene education classes and expressed her thanks for sealing the well so no other mothers would know her heartbreak. When the team arrived the community was utilizing the old, contaminated well and because of this residents were suffering from Malaria. During the team’s stay the community assembled a water committee consisting of three men and three women who assisted the team by providing materials and labor whenever possible. The majority of community residents sustain a living by petty trading or working as drivers. The nearest school is located .5 of a 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 resident Ibrahim Burrie with a LWI contact number in case their well were to fall into disrepair, become subject to vandalism or theft.
The team had an opportunity to meet with forty-seven year old housewife, Sumyea Jabbie who stated, "The closed well is protected from contamination. Since the well has been covered, it will prevent children from falling into the pit because it has happened at a nearby well. It promotes good health and will prevent so much sickness."
During the hygiene education there were sixty-six adults and thirty children in attendance where the following principal issues were addressed: Disease transmission, Germs, Hand Washing- proper techniques and water saving methods, Healthy Unhealthy Communities, Oral Rehydration Solution, Proper care of the pump, Keeping the water clean, Good-bad hygiene behaviors and Disease Transmission Stories. After the hygiene education the team provided sixty-two Oral Rehydration Solution spoons to community families. The community was very thankful for the hand pump and even more for the hygiene classes and participatory hygiene training. The team also assisted the community setting up a water committee who will maintain the well after the team leaves the area.
