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, "We met a young boy named Kalloh, who was enthusiastically bringing water to our workmen to drink. During the hygiene training, he took the lead in teaching the community how to mix ORS."
When the team arrived, community members were utilizing an unprotected hand dug well located in 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 assembled a water committee consisting of two men and eight women who assisted the team by guarding their equipment during the night. Most community members earn a living by farming or petty trading. 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, Abdul Turay, with a contact number in case their well were to fall into disrepair, become subject to vandalism or theft.
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.
