Rehabilitation Project
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.
