Project Status



Project Type:  Borehole Well and Hand Pump

Regional Program: Port Loko, Sierra Leone WaSH Program

Impact: 500 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Nov 2016

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 02/05/2024

Project Features


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Community Profile

Ebola’s Impact

Ebola has been a tragic reality for the people of Sierra Leone over the last two years. Though considered stable at the moment, the country is still very cautious.

Our teams have remained safe and are on the front lines of Ebola prevention through this water, hygiene and sanitation program.  Your support acknowledges and celebrates their selfless work and bravery.

The entire team continues to express their gratitude for your support of communities in Sierra Leone, and we can’t wait to celebrate safe water together!

Please enjoy the following report comes straight from the field, edited for clarity and readability:

Welcome to the Community

Main Motor Road runs through Pewullay, Lungi, Kaffu Bullom, Port Loko, Sierra Leone. Pewullay is a coastal town with a magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean. The coast is used for one activity alone, and that is fishing.

There's never a dull day in a fishing community. Whenever there are boats out to sea, everyone's attention is split between the land and sea. An eye and ear are turned toward the coast, waiting for the boats to return with their fishermen crying, "fish!" Even expecting mothers are left when there are fish to haul back to land! There's no livelihood without them.

Friday is marked as the holy day for most people in Sierra Leone, so Friday is the one break in this community's fishing routine. While some choose not to honor days of rest, this community has great respect for Friday because of a story passed down generation to generation:

There was a group of fishermen who did not regard the law not to fish on Friday. They went out to sea, where they encountered the spirit that ruled the sea. Since they had been disobeying the law, the spirit turned them into monkeys, gorillas, and pigs.

Pewullay is home to almost two thousand people. (Editor’s Note: While this many people may have access on any given day, realistically a single water source can only support a population of 350-500 people. To learn more, click here.)

Mr. Abdulahi Kargbo (check out his pictures under the "See Photos & Video" tab), a councilor of Mayaya, submitted an application for a well. After multiple visits to the village, we deemed it necessary to undertake two projects in Pelluway to provide accessible and clean water for all. The situation is described in detail below, along with our plans for this project.

Water Situation

Community members catch water in open containers during the rains or buy packaged water when they can afford it. There is a well at the local primary school that supplements these methods, but this well is highly restricted. Since it is one well that serves thousands of people, there are many rules for fetching its water. Only one community member is allowed on the well pad at one time. Before entering the gate, shoes must be removed and the head covered. Once inside, the pump is used to deliver water through the pipe to the waiting water container. The long lines at the well often discourage people who then choose to fetch water from the swamp instead, which is located at the bottom of a dangerous hill. Though the well is yielding clean water, the community is still desperate for other water sources. With just one clean source, at least a thousand people must still rely on other contaminated sources.

The village is over a mile wide, so fetching water requires a plan. One wouldn't want to walk a long ways only to find out the well is too busy! For those who live the farthest, a wheelbarrow must be brought to transport the heavy water load. We noticed that water containers are rarely cleaned with soap, and water storage containers do not have lids. The water to be used that day is left out in the open so it can be easily accessed.

Major health consequences have been recorded because of the water shortage here. People suffer from cholera, typhoid, dysentery, bloated stomachs and skin discoloration. People don't even have enough water to was their utensils between meals!

We met a prominent, 40-year-old man who has lived in Pewullay all of his life:

My name is Mohamed I Kamara. I was born and raised in this community. My forefathers were the pioneers and founders of this land, so I was lucky enough to get an education. I belong to an elite group of six that have made a life for ourselves other than being a fisherman. I teach at a secondary school in another village. There are more than two thousand people around here. My niece was killed a few years ago attempting to climb down the hill to fetch water. This is an ongoing devastation that has plagued our community. The cholera, dysentery, typhoid and skin discoloration are daily occurrences, so we have gotten used to that and take it with a grain of salt.

Sanitation Situation

No more than half of households in Pewullay have a latrine. The typical latrine in this kind of sandy environment is a hole dug anywhere from six to eight feet deep. Palm leaves are weaved together to make walls, and a piece of cloth is hung to cover the entrance. A windy day isn't good for privacy! It's typical to see a car tire used as a toilet seat since locals cannot afford concrete. Open defecation is a huge issue here, especially near the shore. A majority of the fishermen use the sea not only for fishing, but for relieving themselves! They prefer the beach because as opposed to a latrine pit, the ocean never fills up.

Under a quarter of families have a bathing room for personal hygiene or a useful dish rack or clothesline for drying belongings up off the ground. We found just one hand-washing station in the entire area, and have included a picture of it as proof!

Plans: Hygiene and Sanitation Training

Community members will be trained for three days on hygiene and sanitation. Because of such a large population, we are prepared to extend training if there is a need. After our initial visit, we have decided to focus on latrines and hand-washing stations. We will teach the importance of having latrines and hand-washing stations and using them at all times! We will also describe the dangers of letting animals roam free, and the need for pens and cages. Last but not least, we will teach about the proper way to handle water so that it remains safe from the well all the way home.

All locals will be notified of the training schedule ahead of time. They should also bring a five-liter jerrycan so that they can build a hand-washing station for their family. We will provide the rope and sticks, and give them a step-by-step walkthrough of how to build it.

Plans: New Well

This borehole will be one of two we drill for this community. It will be located in the upper part of the community that is farthest away from the existing well, on land addressed as #5 Main Motor Road.

The community is ready and willing to help in any way possible. One of the men told us that if need be, he's will carry the drill rig on his back! We told him that won't be necessary, of course. All they'll have to do is provide food for our construction team and a helping hand when we need it.

Project Updates


December, 2017: A Year Later: # 5 Main Motor Road

A year ago, generous donors helped build a new well for the community surrounding #5 Main Motor Road in Sierra Leone. Because of these gifts and our monthly donors, partners can visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories. Read more...




Project Photos


Project Type

Abundant water is often right under our feet! Beneath the Earth’s surface, rivers called aquifers flow through layers of sediment and rock, providing a constant supply of safe water. For borehole wells, we drill deep into the earth, allowing us to access this water which is naturally filtered and protected from sources of contamination at the surface level. First, we decide where to drill by surveying the area and determining where aquifers are likely to sit. To reach the underground water, our drill rigs plunge through meters (sometimes even hundreds of meters!) of soil, silt, rock, and more. Once the drill finds water, we build a well platform and attach a hand pump. If all goes as planned, the community is left with a safe, closed water source providing around five gallons of water per minute! Learn more here!


A Year Later: #5 Main Motor Road

September, 2017

The community surrounding #5 Main Motor Road has benefited greatly from the new well. They have access to safe, pure and clean water and are practicing better hygiene than before.

Keeping The Water Promise

There's an incredible community of monthly donors who have come alongside you in supporting clean water in #5 Main Motor Road New Well Project.

This giving community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help #5 Main Motor Road New Well Project maintain access to safe, reliable water. Together, they keep The Water Promise.

We’re confident you'll love joining this world-changing group committed to sustainability!

A year ago, generous donors helped build a new well for the community surrounding #5 Main Motor Road in Sierra Leone. Because of these gifts and our monthly donors, partners can visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from our partner, Nanah Mansaray, with you.

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The community surrounding #5 Main Motor Road has benefited greatly from the new well. They have access to safe, pure and clean water and are practicing better hygiene than before.

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Mohamed Kamara, the caretaker in the community, says before this well, they were suffering without access to safe water. People would go to the stream for water which was unsafe. “Now, even our community health status has improved for many people,” he says. The community still has some challenges. “Some women come to the well to fetch water with their head untied and some enters the well with their slippers,” explains Mohamed. These rules set by the water user committee, (also explained in our original report), are to ensure proper hygiene around the water point. “The headman and we, the committee members, have imposed bylaws and fines to everyone who breaks the law.”

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Salamatu Kamara, a 14-year-old girl in the village explains how her health has improved since the new well was completed. “During the rainy season when we fetched water from the stream, I had vomiting and diarrhea. Now I have access to safe water.”

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The pump is working properly and the community seems to be improving on their hygiene and sanitation. They still need to improve on their environmental sanitation and the community people still need to abide to the rules that govern the well. Our staff will continue to monitor the operation of the well, maintenance and chlorination of the pump. We will continue to encourage the water user committee as needed.

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The Water Project and our partners are committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by monthly donors, allows us to visit communities up to 4 times a year. Read more about our program and how you can help.


Navigating through intense dry spells, performing preventative maintenance, conducting quality repairs when needed and continuing to assist community leaders to manage water points are all normal parts of keeping projects sustainable. The Water Promise community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help #5 Main Motor Road New Well Project maintain access to safe, reliable water.

We’d love for you to join this world-changing group committed to sustainability.

The most impactful way to continue your support of #5 Main Motor Road New Well Project – and hundreds of other places just like this – is by joining our community of monthly givers.

Your monthly giving will help provide clean water, every month... keeping The Water Promise.


Contributors

Project Sponsor - Ipenburg Family
1 individual donor(s)