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).
Donors for this project were originally assigned to a project for Kitongozi Central, another hand-dug well in Uganda. Unfortunately that project has run into difficulties and has been put on hold. Your funds have been reassigned to this new project. Our partner will continue working with Kitongozi until a solution is found, but in the mean time, we wanted to introduce you to Katugo I.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Katugo I is a sub village of Katugo Local council and it is located in Nyantonzi parish, Budongo sub-county, Masindi district. The biggest part of this village is covered by Budongo forest, the biggest natural forest in Uganda. Another section of this village is covered by sugar cage which is grown for supply to Kinyara Sugar Limited the second largest sugar mill in Uganda located 15kms away. The economic activities in this village include sugar cane farming, Pit sawing, and poaching (although illegally being practiced). Residents of this village also work at their small garden plots for food crops using rudimentary tools like hoes and garden forks. Access to clean and safe water is the major challenge in this village. Residents draw water from open contaminated sources which are not safe to drink.
Arising from a radio talk show on one of the local radio stations in Masindi town, Simon Opua, the village chairman invited The Water Trust to this village for partnership to construct a protected water source. During an interview with him, he intimated that "Clean water will prevent us from sickness." He further revealed to us that the community was willing to contribute all locally available materials like sand, bricks, aggregates and the physical labor to excavate the well. This new water source, in combination with drastic improvements in their sanitation levels, will signify a big difference in the lives of the community members.
Our partner will run 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 mean time the aim is that all households own a latrine. Many households don’t use a latrine but use the bush. Due to open defecation, feaces are spread over the village. This leads to (sometimes fatal) diseases and contamination of the groundwater. Our aim is that the community is able to live a healthy life, free of preventable diseases. Therefore we endeavor that at the end of our presence in the community, people have both access to sustainable clean water and access to sanitation. As a strategy to achieve this, our partner will not commission the water source until all households have latrines. Digging groups have been formed for latrine construction and empowered with tools to use.
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. Using the immediate gratification of clean water as an impetus, we work toward sustainable, interdisciplinary WASH development.
The social program includes the assignment of one Community Development Officer (CDO) per village. Our partner leverages 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.
Community Led Total Sanitation
The team implements the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach with each of our village partners. Our partner facilitates 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
October 13, 2015
Today we delivered Dan Kintu the technician to the community and sitting was done. we also flagged off excavation work and th community is working closely with the technician.
November 16, 2015
Water was struck 19ft deep and presently the project is 21ft. excavation will continue till a good water column is achieved.
November 23, 2015
Excavation work is progressing through the aquifer zone with challenges of rain which is slowing down work. A resolution has been reached to continue excavating til a water column of 10 ft is achieved.
November 30, 2015
Excavation work at this site was concluded after achieving a water column of 10 ft. The technician is now winding up with brick work before we cover it ahead of installation.
December 11, 2015
Today we installed the pump amid jubilation from the community. Access to clean and safe water among this community is no longer an issue. We also captured this update in the new pictures below.
Thank You for unlocking potential Katugo I!
