Rehabilitation Project
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 DC Mahera Primary school located in the Port Loko district of Sierra Leone. The well at this school took 10 years to construct. They finally were able to begin using the well last year and the pump stopped working in the first month. When the team pulled up the pump, they found that the contractor did not use a new pump. He had used old pieces and literally had a nail through one of the pipes to hold it to the head of the pump. The team installed a new Afridev pump. The community was using the stream for their water source. Most people in the community earn a living through teaching, farming and petty trading. The community helped out with the project by providing security and labor. When the project was complete, the community established a point person to be the caretaker of the well.
Testimony from a community member:
Khadija Kamara, 30 year old head mistress for the infants spoke with the team about the water needs for her community. "Before we had this well, the students would drink from the stream and there was much sickness. Once we were able to use the hand pump, we saw a reduction in sickness of the students. This new hand pump is marvelous. We feel so cared for! Thank you!"
Additional Testimony
When the team was taking the group picture, there were just too many students to come around the well. It was amazing. After the dedication, the children began singing tell him thank you, tell papa God thank you! Children were dancing and there was clapping and cheering from everyone. The head teacher commented that they don’t see many people with integrity to come along and right the wrong. The team told them that God is the God of redemption. He sees all and one way or another He makes
things right. The students gathered to pray with the team before each day of work.
Hygiene Teaching:
The Sierra Leone team is a partner with UNICEF and the menstrual hygiene lessons were presented to 127 fifth and sixth grade girls. This is a hygiene training that is to be taught to all girls across the country. Other lessons included: germs/disease transmission, proper hand washing, healthy unhealthy communities, proper care of the pump, keeping the water clean and good-bad hygiene behaviors.
