Rehabilitation Project
This project was implemeted by another partner, but is now monitored and maintained by The Water Project together with Mariatu's Hope.
A Sierra Leone team member commented, "During the hygiene training, three patients came in who had been struck by the cholera. They arrived vomiting. The team immediately used the ORS (oral rehydration solution) spoon and made the patients ORS and gave each patient and participant the knowledge on how to make their own ORS and gave each person an ORS spoon. They were encouraged to keep sugar and salt and the small cup with the spoon in a plastic bag somewhere safe so that when they need it in the middle of the night they have what they need. There was also a project in this community that was never completed. There is a latrine that has seven stalls which was never completed. It would absolutely help the community to have some place to defecate. We are encouraging them to dig latrines, but there is this structure that could easily be completed." The local health clinic treats 30 patients daily, has four beds and treats 500 including the surrounding area. The most common illnesses treated at the health post are malaria, typhoid, cholera and dysentery. When the team arrived, community members were utilizing an unprotected hand dug well located .2 of a 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 cholera, dysentery, diarrhea, severe dehydration, typhoid and respiratory illnesses. During the team’s stay, community members assisted the team with the water project whenever possible and provided any materials they had available. Most community members earn a living by farming, petty trading, nursing or by teaching at the nearby school. The school is located .2 of a kilometer away from the community whose students, teachers and administrative personnel all have access to the new, safe water source. Before leaving the community, the team provided community members, Christiana Thomps and Mr. Vandi, with a contact number in case their well were to fall into disrepair, become subject to vandalism or theft.
The Sierra Leone team had an opportunity to meet with twenty-five year old community member and petty trader, Hawanatu Jabbie, who stated, "The old source has a salt taste and the water is sky blue. They drink from this well because there is no other source of getting water. The new source is much better and safe for drinking purposes. It will help us to prevent sickness."
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.
