Rehabilitation Project
This project was implemented by another partner, but is now monitored and maintained by The Water Project together with Mariatu's Hope.
Read the report below from our partner in the field to learn not only how this water project was completed, but also how the team had the opportunity to play a particularly significant role in the lives of two of the community members:
The operations director was driving out of the bush from another well rehab when he came upon a woman lying in the road. She looked like she was dead, but she was actually in labor and had just fallen to the ground in pain. She was trying to get herself to this health post. She lived in a neighboring village and could not walk any further. She was picked up and put into the truck and carried to this health post where we found that there was no access to clean water. The woman later delivered a healthy baby girl. See her picture! We thank God for His great mercy towards this mother and her child. When the team arrived to drill, families were utilizing a river located two kilometers 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 and malaria among other preventable water related illnesses. During the team’s stay, community members assisted the team with the water project whenever possible and provided meals. Most community members earn a living by farming and selling what excess produce they have at nearby markets. The nearest school is located two kilometers away from the community whose students, teachers and administrative personnel all have access to the new, safe water source. The local health post serves 247 community and surrounding community members. It has two beds and treats 36 patients daily. The most common diseases treated at the health post are malaria, typhoid, cholera and dysentery, all which will be lessened with access to clean drinking water. Before leaving the community, the team provided community member, Fatmata Turay, with a contact number in case their well were to fall into disrepair, become subject to vandalism or theft. When the team arrived, the pipe was short in this well so the people couldn't access the water. When the pump was pulled, the cylinder was also damaged. A new Afridev hand pump was installed.
Community member, Esther Kamara, interviewed by Sierra Leone and who stated, "The old water source was a running stream water. It was full of germs and it was a different color, not clear. The leaves would fall into the water. The new water source is covered and it has now been chlorinated. It is clear water and looks pure."
During the hygiene education, the Sierra Leone team addresses: Hand washing, how to properly transport and store water, disease transmission and prevention, how to maintain proper care of the pump, as well as signs and symptoms of dehydration and how to make Oral Rehydration Solution. All of these lessons are taught in a participatory method to help community members discover ways to improve their hygiene and sanitation choices, and implement community driven solutions. We recently completed a sanitation project at a school in a nearby village. At the school, we formed a Child Health Club and those students came and presented the hygiene training materials to the community. They also encouraged everyone to build a native toilet at their homes and to stop the open defecation. They presented in their mother tongue so the people could really understand. It was very exciting and empowering to see these young people taking the lead for their futures. The trainers taught the mothers the importance of hydrating their babies early and getting them to the health clinic sooner rather than later. The mothers were so happy and excited to receive the ORS spoon and the valuable information.
