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 Sierra Leone team member commented, "The participation of the community and the interest that one person by the name of Almighty showed in seeing the process of repairing a well. He said he had never seen the inner workings of the well before, even though he was not particularly young."
When the team arrived, community members were utilizing a protected hand dug well located half of a kilometer away from the community to meet all of their water needs. Because of this, families were suffering from cholera, dysentery, typhoid and malaria. During the team's stay, community members assisted the team with the water project whenever possible and guarded the team’s equipment during the night. Most community members earn a living by petty trading or farming. The nearest school is located three kilometers away from the community whose students, teachers and administrative personnel all have access to the new, safe water source. There is also a local hospital that treats 15 patients daily, has one bed and is available to 7,612 people in the community and surrounding areas. Before leaving the community, the team provided community member, Amara Vincent, 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 forty-six year old community member and nurse, Adama Bangura, who stated, "The old well had a taste and was not chlorinated. The cement work on the new well is very well done, so it will protect the well."
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.
