Rehabilitation Project
The report below from our partner in the field gives some great information on the construction of a new hand-dug well in the Nyabukoni Siriba Village in Uganda:
Background Information:
Kinyara II village is located in Kigaya parish, Kigumba sub-county, Kiryandongo district where The Water Trust has had a number of successful partnerships with the community. This village whose soils are very fertile is renown for growing beans, maize, ground nuts and cassava; a reason many people migrated here and have caused a population outburst which has placed pressure on the demand for adequate access to services such as water and healthcare in the district.
The water Trust has had three successful partnerships in this local council which caused the residents of Kinyara II village to apply for a protected water source from the The Water trust as well by the fact that they used to walk to other villages in search of clean water for drinking lest they collect water from the nearby open sources which is a source of contamination and poses a health risk.
Mr. Matwarwa Livingstone the village chairman wrote an application letter to TWT after his fellow chairmen from Kinyara I, and Kinyara I West Anywer Kilok villages revealed to him about the successful partnerships with The Water Trust. In his letter, he expressed how his residents were eagerly ready to work with our technician that we shall send to them and that they were already in the process of mobilizing all locally available materials like 2000bricks, 1trip of hard core and 1trip of sand.
The Water Trust (TWT) 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 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.
Hygiene and Sanitation Strategy:
The main objectives of TWT's 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. TWT 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. Using the immediate gratification of clean water as an impetus, TWT works toward sustainable, interdisciplinary WASH development.
The Water Trust’s 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
The Water Trust implements the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach with each of our village partners. TWT 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:
February 2, 2015
Today we delivered Richard the technician to this village where he will live until this project is complete. We also sited a suitable location for the hand dug shallow well and further commissioned excavation works.
February 6, 2015
Excavation work is on course although soil formation is hard. Presently the well is 9ft deep and water is not yet struck. Community participation is also good.
February 13, 2015
Richard, Godfrey and the community are excavating though hard and dusty clay formation. The community seems worried that water table may never be found although their participation is still good. presently the well is 30ft deep without a trace of water.
February 23, 2015
A sigh of relief among the community come at the depth of 45ft when they struck water last week. The have continued to excavate with zeal and the well is 50ft deep with a water column of 5ft. Both the pump base and slab have been casted as we draw near to installing this well.
March 6, 2015
At 53ft with a water column of 8ft, the well was cleaned, chlorinated and covered as we organize its installation. We shall keep you updated.
March 13, 2015
Richard, Godfrey and the community managed to complete the water source. It is only left with installation. Finishes to the drainage and slab are done and a wooden fence has been constructed around the water source.
March 20, 2015
Jubilation and excitement rocked kinyara II village on March 18, 2015 when we installed the pump. The community is so happy about delivering to them clean and safe water. They have pledged to keep it clean and in good condition.
