Rehabilitation Project
This project was implemented by another partner, but is now monitored and maintained by The Water Project together with Mariatu's Hope.
Community Details
Safe, easily accessible drinking water was not an option for 49 families living in Lungi Community. A river located down a steep and often times slippery slope was the only source of water available. Disease such as dysentery, typhoid, malaria and respiratory illness had sorely impacted the community and the Ebola outbreak still exists as a serious threat. Desperate to end their suffering, community leaders sought help from our Sierra Leone partner while they were working in a neighboring village, and they responded!
Entering the community with safe water and the gospel was not an easy task, in this Muslim influenced community. There were many who lacked motivation and remained distant during the construction of the water point – unsure of the team and the gospel message. Our partner has been working with families in Lungi and established relationships with several of the community women. During Hygiene Education, the women, newly aware of the benefits of safe drinking water, were very engaged and willing to learn! Quickly after hygiene and sanitation lessons, a six-person Water Committee was established and trained to maintain the well and help manage its’ water resources! The goal of the Water Committee and Mariatu's Hope is to ensure safe drinking water is accessible for years to come!
Though there is no local church, the gospel was still shared with community families! We have partnered with Mariatu's Hope to support church planting movements in the area. During the construction of the water point, the team capitalized on all opportunities to share the good news through the provision of safe water!
Hygiene Promotion
Holding large hygiene training sessions in large numbers proved to be a difficult task for the Sierra Leone team, because of the Ebola outbreak. The local police were informed to stop large gatherings, as the deadly virus continues to scar the country. Our partner's primary focus, during hygiene and sanitation lessons, was to inform the people about Ebola by showing them proper hand washing techniques and how to construct tippy taps. Lessons on disease transmission, healthy and unhealthy communities, proper hand washing techniques and water saving methods were also addressed, and from there, each person was asked to share what they learned with at least three other people. Using the Ebola storying lesson, the team was able to incorporate the importance of good hand washing, disease transmission and how to prevent Ebola. There were 68 people in attendance that understood and agreed to pass along life-saving hygiene practices in the community and surrounding area.
Community Member Interview
"I am very glad for the new pump," shared 60-year-old community member, Chief Pa Adikalie. "This well has given us a lot of good use, but when the pump isn't functioning properly, we have to go to the waterside. This will help us a lot. Thank you very much!"
