Project Status



Project Type:  Dug Well and Hand Pump

Program: Wells for Masindi / Jinga Uganda

Impact: 170 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Jan 2016

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 03/11/2024

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Community Profile

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 Kanyogoga Tacunge Uzima, 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 Kanyogoga until a solution is found, but in the mean time, we wanted to introduce you to Alero B Wang Obwoch.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Alero B Wang Obwoch is a flat land with few gentle slopes located in Nyamahasa parish, Mutunda sub-county, Kiryandongo district. This village lies two miles from Karuma bridge which separates the northern part of Uganda from the west at Karuma falls where the government of Uganda is presently constructing a hydro power dam. Murchison falls national perk neighbors this village from the west while the great north road lies at the western part of the village. The community’s livelihood  is derived from stone quarrying using hand held hammers and small- scale subsistence farming.

With a catchment population of 170 people, this village lacks access to clean water and good sanitation. Majority of the community rely on fetching water from open sources whose waterway is shared with wildlife from the National Park one kilometer away. Poor sanitation conditions like open defecation in the bush instead of using a latrine has made communities vulnerable to waterborne diseases lik bilharzia, diarrhea dysentery and typhoid

Our partner will have 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 latrines. 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.

HYGIENE AND SANITATION STRATEGY

The main objectives of the Sanitation and Hygiene Program are the use of latrines and proper hygiene 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 are all possible contaminates of a household water source.  Our partner leverages this relationship, by requiring each 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, our partner works toward sustainable, interdisciplinary WASH development.

The social program includes the assignment of one Community Development Officer (CDO) to one village.  The CDO encourages each household to build an ideal homestead that includes: a latrine, hand-washing facility, a separate structure for animals, rubbish pit and drying rack for dishes.

Community Led Total Sanitation

Our partner implements the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) program with each of our village partners.  The program 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

November 10, 2015

Today we reported this community with a technician and sited a suitable location for this project. Work has began with a enthusiastic community.

November 24, 2015

Today we struck water at 9ft so we have to re-site the well as the risk of contamination at that depth is higher.

December 4, 2015

Today we struck water 13ft deep in the new site and excavation is progressing through the aquifer. The recharge rate is very high (37 liters per minute) and we have brought in a drainer to manage the high volume of water.

December 14, 2015

At 20ft with a water column of 7ft, the well has been bricked up and now waits for clay to seal the walls.

December 18, 2015

Yesterday we measured the recharge rate of this well which was found to be good. The well has been cleaned and closed. Technicians are now going home for Christmas break. Pump installation will be done in January after the break.

January 25, 2016

The pump has now been installed. The community is happy to have clean and safe water.

Thank you to all who made this project possible!

We're just getting started, check back soon!


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Project Type

Hand-dug wells have been an important source of water throughout human history! Now, we have so many different types of water sources, but hand-dug wells still have their place. Hand dug wells are not as deep as borehole wells, and work best in areas where there is a ready supply of water just under the surface of the ground, such as next to a mature sand dam. Our artisans dig down through the layers of the ground and then line the hole with bricks, stone, or concrete, which prevent contamination and collapse. Then, back up at surface level, we install a well platform and a hand pump so people can draw up the water easily.


Contributors

North Olmsted High School
Hesston Middle School
Winston Churchill High School
Volvo Ocean Race Tips
International School of Ouagadougou Middle School Student Council
Blackie School
Crestwood School District
Marion County 4-H Camp 2015
Soaring Heights Elementary School
Scandinavians for Life
Fisher Park / Summit School
Nu Rho Chapter
Abundant Life Christian School
14 individual donor(s)