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
Waiga Tula village is one of the many villages that lie along river Waiga and this village derived her name from this small river which meanders its way to Lake Albert located at the western border of Uganda. This village also lies next to Murchison Falls National Park in the north, Kaborogota Village in the south, and Waiga Bedmoth in the east. The Water Trust has had a number of successful partnerships within these villages. Located in Kyakamese parish, Pakanyi sub-county, Masindi district, the village is famous for cereal production with maize being the most commonly grown crop. Every household in this village has a maize garden which they harvest for sale at the end of the season to earn an income.
The majority of the community in this village rely on fetching water from the River Waiga, whose waterway is shared with wildlife from the National Park which has almost no clear boundaries with the village. Poor sanitation conditions like open defecation instead of latrine use have made communities vulnerable to waterborne diseases like bilharzia, diarrhea, dysentery and typhoid. Sometimes women and children, whose responsibility according to local tradition is to fetch water, are attacked by animals while on their way to the river. Alternative sources of clean and safe water are located in the surrounding villages where The Water Trust (TWT) partnered with beneficiary households to construct hand dug shallow wells and have since enjoyed clean and safe water from these protected sources.
Mr. Kahigi Sam, the village chairman, says that he based his decision to invite us to this village on the previous successful partnership with TWT in Waiga Bedmoth and Waiga Kasambya villages, hoping for a similar project with this community. He confirmed to us that the community was willing to contribute all the locally available materials like sand, bricks and hardcore on top of providing accommodation to a technician whom we shall send to work with them in the process of constructing the water source.
The Water Trust 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.
SANITATION AND HYGIENE 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, a separate structure for animals, and a 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 the 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
June 12, 2015
Today Bosco the Technician was delivered by the technical supervisor to this village for commencement of construction work and he is accompanied by Byaruhanga Sulait who will work with him as his helper. Siting was successfully conducted and a suitable location identified.
June 22, 2015
The excavation work is progressing slowly due to hard soil formation. Water was struck 13ft deep and presently the well is 17ft with a water column of 4ft.
June 27, 2015
Soil formation is still very hard and the recharge is low. Bosco and his helper are determined to excavate until a dependable water column is realized. Residents have also delivered local materials and their participation is encouraging.
July 8, 2015
Community participation drastically reduced when they hit a rock 19 feet deep coupled with hard soil formation. Our social team has been alerted to re-mobilize the community in order complete the project.
July 15, 2015
Our social team has engaged the community through the village chairman to resume excavation work and they have pledges full cooperation. Excavation has been concluded and the recharge measured. The technician is currently bricking up the well and there after the well will be covered to cure before pump installation.
July 23, 2015
Today we installed the pump and the community is so excited about this development.
