Project Status



Project Type:  Well Rehab

Program: Water for Sierra Leone

Impact: 500 Served

Project Phase: 
Under Community Care
Initial Installation: Jun 2013

Project Features


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Community Profile

This project was implemented by another partner, but is now monitored and maintained by The Water Project together with Mariatu's Hope.

When the Sierra Leone team arrived, the old pump was not working and the casing was damaged so the Living Water Sierra Leone team broke the old casing and made four casings to sink into the well. The team then constructed a cement base and installed the new pump. There were 800 residents who had been forced to depend on an unprotected hand dug well located one kilometer away from the community to meet all of their water needs. Because of this and the community’s practice of open defecation, families were suffering from dysentery, malaria, diarrhea and severe dehydration among other preventable water related illnesses. During the team’s stay, community members assembled a water committee consisting of five men and five women who assisted the team with the water project whenever possible, provided food and guarded the team’s equipment during the night. Most residents farm, garden or petty trade to earn a living and a few teach at the nearby school. There is a school located half two kilometers away from the community whose students, teachers and administrative personnel all now have access to a safe water source.

The Sierra Leone team had an opportunity to meet with fifty-three year old community member and farmer, Konthoh Kamara, who stated, "At the open well they used rope and rubber to fetch water. They have a small amount of water that is not enough for the people in the community. Some of the people decided to go to the swamp. The new source is well protected."

Since this is a new WASH committee set up at this well, no money had been collected. The committee has been instructed that they will need to impose a fee for water so when the pump has problems they can repair it themselves.

We're just getting started, check back soon!


Project Photos


Project Type

Well rehabilitation is one of the most cost effective ways to bring clean, safe water to a community.  Sometimes it involves fixing a broken hand pump, other times it means sealing a hand dug well to prevent it from being contaminated.  These repairs, and often time total replacements, coupled with sanitation and hygiene training make a huge impact in communities.


Contributors

Project Sponsor - Erica Turilli
Northwest Hills United Methodist Church