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
Jeeja I B is one of the many villages situated along the highway which links the central and western parts of Uganda to the north, commonly known as Gulu highway. This village is located in Kigya parish, Kigumba sub-county, Kiryandongo district and has an estimated population of 1,000 people whose economic activity is farming. Maize and cassava are the predominant crops grown and sold along the highway. Many residents of this village turn to drinking locally brewed alcohol from the small bars along the highway at the end of the day.
During the first village meeting between our social team and the community, we realized that residents of this village don't wash their hands after defecating in the bush. After all, there are no safe water points. They not only contaminate other open water sources but also the food they eat and the hands of other colleagues they shake. Water for domestic use is collected from either Nyama Swamp situated at one end of the village or from open ponds scattered in the village but contaminated due to open defecation which is widely practiced in this village.
When our social team visited this village, they interviewed Mr. Anyera Timothy, a 43 year old peasant farmer, married with 4 children, who also serves in this village as the chairman. He informed us that his village lacks access to clean water. We then mobilized the community through a meeting where they all resolved to apply for a water source. The village chairman, on behalf of the community, wrote an application letter where he confirmed that his community was willing to contribute all the locally available materials needed, like sand, bricks and hardcore, on top of providing accommodation to a technician we shall send to work with them in the process of constructing the water source.
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.
HYGIENE AND SANITATION STRATEGY
The main objectives of 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 work toward 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, a separate structure for animals, and a 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
June 6, 2015
Technician Bernard and a helper have been taken to site where they were welcomed by the community. Excavation work commenced firm with firm soil formation.
June 22, 2015
The excavation of the well continued up to the water table 24 ft deep and deepening has continued through the aquifer. Community contribution of materials has been delivered to site. Excavation will now continue up to in the water table.
June 27 2015
Deepening of the well continued though the water table and it is presently 36 ft deep with a water column of 12ft. The well recharge is poor but soil formation is good. Community participation is also good.
July 6, 2015
Deepening has continued up to 50 feet with a water column of 26 feet. Additional 1,000 bricks have been delivered to site and all is moving on well.
July 13, 2015
The technician is bricking up the walls and clay to seal the well walls has also been delivered. Community participation is also good.
August 3, 2015
With excitement, we installed the hand pump today! We are thrilled to keep working with the community and are hopeful for a healthy future.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THIS SUCCESSFUL PROJECT!
