Rehabilitation Project
This project was implemented by another partner, but is now monitored and maintained by The Water Project together with Mariatu's Hope.
A community member stated, "Allelujah, thanks to Jesus for clean water and His word." A team member commented, "It was surprising to hear this from a devout Muslim woman who had even made a pilgrimage to Mecca." When the team arrived, community members were utilizing an unprotected hand dug well located one kilometer away from the community to meet all of their water needs. Because of this, families were suffering from dysentery, typhoid and malaria. The Sierra Leone team was pleased to learn of the community’s use of a covered pit latrine as this will help prevent further spread of disease in the area. During the team’s stay, community members assisted the team by providing meals. Most community members are civil servants, nurses, teachers or petty traders. There is a hospital located in the community that has two beds and treats 94 patients daily. The hospital serves 5,000 people in the community and surrounding communities and the most common diseases treated are: amoebas, malaria, typhoid and dysentery. The nearest school is located one 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 member, Makalay Bangura, 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 year old community member and petty trader, Fatamata Tarawallie, who stated, "The previous water source was an open well, and it can't meet the demand for water in the community. The new well with its pump will supplement the water supply and it is chlorinated and free from bacteria."
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.
