This project was implemented by another partner, but is now monitored and maintained by The Water Project together with Mariatu's Hope.
General Information
The well rehab was at the school located in the Port Loko district of Sierra Leone. There are 235 students at this school, 135 boys and 100 girls. The pump had been spoiled for more than one year and they were accessing water with a rope and rubber. The old pump was pulled out. The cylinder and foot valve were disconnected with parts missing. The sucker rods and rising main were rusty. A new afridev pump was installed. Most people in the community earn a living through fishing, agriculture, selling wood, small businesses and teaching. When the project was complete, the community established a point person to be the caretaker of the well.
Testimony from a community member:
Daddy Suma, 75 year old chairman of the school committee and carpenter spoke with the team about the water needs for his community. "I gladdy! The rope and rubber is very dirty, but we didn’t have a choice. There is no other water source around here for miles. The water from the old pump tasted dirty and PVC pipes are the best." (which is what the team used)
Testimony
When the team pulled over to check out the situation with the well at the school, the head teacher came running out and was already praising God for the team stopping. It was amazing. It was one of
those days where the team was going where the Spirit led and obviously they were supposed to visit this school. The school children gathered with the team to pray before beginning the work. The gospel was presented at the dedication as the team prayed and dedicated the project to God.
Hygiene Teaching
The Sierra Leone team is a partner with UNICEF, and the menstrual hygiene training was taught to 24 fifth and sixth
grade girls. They were very thankful for this information. Other topics covered in the lessons were the three legged stool, proper hand washing techniques, and dental hygiene. The team noticed the pit latrines were collapsing into the pit. There were two huge sticks supporting it. This is a huge safety factor involved here. You can see into two very large holes into the pit. The sticks are literally supporting the building from falling into the pit.