Rehabilitation Project
This project is a part of our shared program with The Water Trust. Our team is pleased to directly share the below report (edited for clarity, as needed).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Nyakatiti Rwamudopyo Village is one of the many villages that lie along the great North road which connects the central, western and southern parts of the country to Northern Uganda and Sudan. This village is found in Mboira parish, Kigumba sub-county, Kiryandongo district. Its location on the highway provides an opportunity to market its produce. This hilly village with gentle slopes is largely a farming area with many small garden plots owned by residents of the area. In some parts of the village, families rear cattle which supply fresh milk to other village members. Cassava, beans, maize and soya beans are the major crops grown. This village is however starved of clean and safe water for domestic use as residents fetch water from open sources which are also shared by both birds and domestic animals. (Editor's Note: Since our partner did not provide population information, we safely estimate the village's population to be around 100 people.)
Mr. Byaruhanga David, a 42 year-old father of 6 children, says that living in this village would get better if the problem of water is resolved. He pledged to mobilize all residents of the village to contribute all the locally available materials like sand, bricks, and hardcore on top of providing accommodation to a technician we shall send to work during the construction process. We came to this village on invitation for partnership by Mr. Okwang Federico, the village chairman, who has been working with us to deliver access to clean and safe water in other parts of his village.
There will be an intensive program to provide access to clean water and sanitation in this village. The community will participate in excavating and constructing the water source. In the meantime the aim is that all households own an improved latrine. Many households do not use a latrine but use the bush. Due to the practice of open defecation, faeces are spread all over the village and contaminate open water sources. Our aim is to ensure that the community is able to live a healthy life, free of preventable waterborne diseases. We strive to work in partnership with the community to access safe clean water and improved sanitation.
SANITATION AND HYGIENE STRATEGY
The main objectives of the Sanitation and Hygiene Program are the use of latrines and observing proper hygiene practices, as these goals are inherently connected to the provision of clean water. Open defecation, water storage in unclean containers and the absence of hand washing at critical times are all possible contaminates to the water supply at the household level. We leverage this relationship by requiring each participating village to achieve Open Defecation Free status (defined by one latrine per household), prior to the pump installation for a shallow hand dug well. Using the immediate gratification of clean water as an impetus, we can work towards sustainable, interdisciplinary WASH development.
The social program includes the assignment of one Community Development Officer (CDO) per village. The CDO encourages each household to build an ideal homestead that includes: a latrine with hand-washing facility, a rubbish pit, separate structure for animals and drying rack for dishes.
Community-Led Total Sanitation
We implement the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach with each of our village partners. We facilitate a CLTS session in which we aim to improve the sanitation and hygiene practices and behaviors of a village. During these sessions, village leaders naturally emerge and push the community to realize that current practices of individual households – particularly open defecation– are not only unhealthy, but affect the entire village. CLTS facilitates a process in which community members realize the negative consequences of their current water, sanitation and hygiene behaviors and are inspired to take action. Group interactions are frequent motivators for individual households to: build latrines, use the latrines and demand that other households do the same.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
September 21, 2015
We delivered technician Daniel Kintu and Brian his assistant to the site four days ago and excavation began immediately. Today 12 feet have been excavated and the community is fully involved.
September 28, 2015
Today we hit water 21 feet deep and this has energized the excavating team to work harder since there is a ray of hope with water being struck.
October 3, 2015
Deepening within the aquifer zone is on course. The recharge rate is so high that a drainer is required to overcome the high volume of water being discharged.
October 16, 2015
At 27 feet with a water column of 6 feet, the recharge rate has become too high to be contained. This is however good for the well in the future while it makes it hard for the excavating team. A resolution has been reached to deepen two more meters and stop excavation work. Community participation has also dropped.
October 26, 2015
All masonry work has been concluded. The well is complete and awaits installation.
As you can see from the new pictures uploaded below, the well pump has been installed and is now in use by community members!
Thank You for unlocking potential in Nyakatiti Rwamudopyo.
