The 157 community members who live in Rowullah face daily water constraints. They are forced to collect and consume water from a contaminated local swamp, which risks everyone's health and daily progress because they have no other water option.
The contaminated swamp.
"Community members face a lot of constraints when it comes to the fetching of water. The reason why this happens is because the community no longer has a functional water well. The well they were using to fetch water had become faulty. It has been over eight years since the well stopped working. Imagine the constraints they have faced ever since that happened. Now, they have no choice but to fetch water from the swamp," shared Field Officer Julius Sesay.
"The walking distance alone to the swamp makes the water users tired. Apart from that, the water from the swamp is prone to diverse forms of contamination. This situation makes them fetch water that is not safe to drink. No wonder the health of most community members is seriously under attack," continued Julius.
Community members have reported persistent cases of typhoid, diarrhea, Hepatitis A, and dysentery.
Kadiatu collecting water from the swamp.
Forty-one-year-old farmer Kadiatu Kamara is familiar with water-related illnesses that steal her health and resources.
"The water we use for drinking and cooking has a lot to do with our health. Presently, the water from the swamp is unsafe to use," said Kadiatu.
"A couple of months ago, I was severely sick. At first, I never gave thought to it, that the water I used was the problem. It was not easy for me because I was experiencing frequent stooling, and this even made me pale. Thankfully for me, I was able to recover because I went to the health center for treatment. It was during that time [that] l came to understand that I was suffering from typhoid. This was due to the water I used to drink from the swamp. Although I normally filter the water before drinking, still, it is not safe to drink."
Kadiatu collecting water.
"The time I went to the health center for treatment, they gave me antibiotics and O.R.S. for the treatment of the disease. Even though it cost me a significant amount of money that would have been used to put food on the table. I was still grateful to God because I regained my health. Other people in the community are experiencing the same. I feel pity for some of them who are unable to even pay the transport fee each time they fall sick due to the water we drink from the swamp."
"I was unable to do my farming because of my health. This made me harvest less produce, which resulted in me getting less income after selling them. The money generated was not enough to do things for the smooth running of the home."
Kadiatu and others in her community require access to a reliable water source to improve their health and secure better futures. The non-functional well needs to be repaired to provide them with a safe and accessible water source in their vicinity.
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. They decided to drill a borehole well, construct a platform for the well, and attach a hand pump.
Well
Abundant water often lies just beneath our feet. Aquifers—natural underground rivers—flow through layers of sediment and rock, offering a constant supply of safe water. A borehole well is drilled deep into the earth to access this naturally filtered and protected water. We penetrate meters, sometimes even hundreds of meters, of soil, silt, rock, and more to reach the water underground. Once found, we construct a platform for the well and attach a hand pump. The community gains a safe, enclosed water source capable of providing approximately five gallons of water per minute. Learn more here!
Community Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each community's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point. Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the community. Encouraged and supported by the guidance of our team, a water user committee representative of the community's diverse members assumes responsibility for maintaining the water point, often gathering fees to ensure its upkeep.
