Rehabilitation Project
Ebola’s Impact
As you know, Ebola has been a tragic reality for the people of Sierra Leone over the last year. In the middle of this, we’ve remained more committed than ever to the people of Sierra Leone through a service and support program that focuses on keeping water flowing at approximately 100 previously installed projects. And, as you know, we’re also providing new water access for communities- made possible because of your support. Our teams have been brave and selfless – and we are so proud of them.
Very recently, Ebola has made a resurgence in our area of operation. Our team was providing service to a previously installed water point at a large regional hospital, and returned the next morning to find the entire area under quarantine. Unfortunately, this meant that many of our tools were also under quarantine. This, along with restoring some water points post-quarantine has led to reasonable delays in our program. We are very happy, after some delays, to bring this report to you.
We are in weekly contact with our team in Sierra Leone, and everyone is safe. The entire team continues to express their gratitude for your support of communities in Sierra Leone, and we can’t wait to celebrate safe water together!
Background Information
A baseline survey has been conducted. Findings of that survey show that there are 206 children and 244 adults residing in this community. There are 39 households. Some households are over 20 people. This area of Lungi has a semi-urban feel to it. Most houses are constructed out of either cement blocks or mud blocks plastered with cement. The roofs are zinc. The primary occupation is petty trading and farming, though there are a few professionals.
The main source of their drinking water is an open hand-dug well with an average distance of 100 meters. The average amount of time spent each day collecting water is three hours. The average amount of water consumed per household each day is 176 liters.
Justification
The rehabilitation project well was constructed with funds from a community member, Mr. Bangura, because the community had a need for safe drinking water. Mr. Bangura died before he could complete the well, and the community could not afford to complete it themselves. This well presently has no pump, so community members are using a rope and pail to fetch water... just like an old-fashioned well! A pump should be installed to ensure a constant and clean flow of water.
Most households have a latrine. Most have a kitchen with a dish rack, a clothesline, and a rubbish pit. Some have a specific bathing house.
PRE-REHAB: A Water and Sanitation Committee of community members was formed, and they have already written a constitution. The constitution outlines the responsibilities of the community in order to maintain order, good hygiene, and to provide for future repairs. Prior to beginning this well rehabilitation, we had to get the approval from the Ministry of Water Resources. Upon completion of the project, they will come and do water quality testing.
Project Results
Hygiene Training: We use a Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Training (PHAST) model. They training opened with prayer and a song, "What Shall I Do Unto My Lord, All I Have to Say is Thank You!" Our survey had revealed that a good number of people in the community were not practicing good hygiene. In training we addressed this by identifying bad behaviors and introducing good ones in their place. Many welcomed this training and said they would make immediate changes in their hygiene behavior.
Lessons we shared were: Hand-washing, Good and Bad Hygiene, Healthy and Unhealthy Community, Disease Transmission Stories, Keeping the Water Clean, Proper Care of the Pump, and Importance of Using Latrines and Tippy Taps (a hands-free rope and container contraption that pours water for hand-washing).
The community was fully engaged and was so thankful to learn about some good ways to stay healthy. One woman told our monitoring and evaluating officer that she was "...going to be a health inspector in changing their [the community's] daily activities to improve the overall hygiene!" There was also some students in attendance, so we encouraged them to share what they learned with their peers.
Mr. Mohamed, the caretaker, thanked Mariatu's Hope, The Water Project, and the donors that send their money on behalf of the community. Thank you for showing love to them by giving abundant pure water and hygiene training that will keep the community clean. The community was also very thankful for the Gospel Truth that teaches to "love your neighbor as you love yourself."
We met another lady at training, Zainab Deen. She raised a concern for an island area called Pepel. She said the people there really struggle to find safe drinking water. She said the water that they drink there tastes like salt, so she is pleading for us to visit and then help that village. She also prayed for Mariatu's Hope, The Water Project, and the donor to continue supporting the people of Sierra Leone. Zainab Deen's community is looking forward to getting their hand pump installed so they can fetch water from that well, but they also wish the same blessing for many others.
Rehabilitation Technical Details: This well had little to no water before construction began. The inside lining was complete, but needed casing. The team made four casings and after installing them, they sank to a total depth of 55.1 feet. Once down at 55.1 feet, it was obvious this well has an exceptional amount of water in it. An India Mark II hand pump was installed and the well was chlorinated. A wall was constructed around the well. Initial water quality testing showed negative for bacteria. Formal water quality testing is pending via the Ministry of Water Resourced. We will monitor this well to watch the water table in the dry season. If need be, we will continue to sink the casing.
The community was very curious about construction, but was also involved with labor and provided food for the construction team.
Interviews:
Name: Pa Mohamed Turay Gender: Male Age: 50 Occupation: Farmer
We are so thankful for this water well and hand pump and for the good work you people are doing. So many NGOs have promised to do what you have done, but failed. They made empty promises. May God continue to guide and protect Mariatu's Hope, The Water Project and their donors for the good work you are doing in this country. We will pray for you. You have made history in this community. We will always remember this. Thank you!
Name: Warah Kamara Gender: Female Age: 32 Occupation: Trader
May God continue to spare your life and continue to guide and protect you. You have done a lot in our community and other communities. You people sacrificed your lives by coming into our country for such a long time to do this good work. You were with us during Ebola and now we praise God that Ebola is gone. Some Whites ran away from Ebola but you stayed with us. You Showed us the peace and love you have for our country. Even our brothers did not have this kind of love you have for our country.
Dedication: It was great to be able to make an impact to alleviate the water strains on this community, especially since it is still growing. At the dedication, people remarked on how they used to get water from the SALWACO (Sierra Leone Water Co.) truck that the Chiefdom Speaker brought to their area. However, things to so out of order with so many people that the truck stopped coming. A neighbor dug a well, but the community became demanding, often banging on the door of the house as early as four in the morning for the household to open their well! That family built a wall around their home to avoid this situation in the future. After dedicating this rehabilitated well, we located another project well in the community and look forward to working on it.
The community was elated and thankful for our intervention.
Monitoring and Evaluation: The next visit to this well site will be in January 2016.
