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
Nkwenda I Obiya Chobo forms part of Nkwenda local council which is located in Mboira Parish, Kigumba sub-county, Kiryandongo district where there has already been four successful partnerships to provide the community access to clean and safe water. Due to the size of the village and the huge population in this area, the need for clean and safe water remains and it reason Obiya Chobo a sub village of Nkwenda applied for partnership with us.
This rocky village, comprised of small scale farms whose major crops are cassava and maize, has a small trading centre with a few basic supply stores, eating places, and bars that sell locally brewed alcohol made from cassava. Residents of this village lend a hand to one another other during planting, weeding and harvesting of their crops and this practice has kept them united as one community staying together. Mr. Onega Joseph, 56 years old and a peasant farmer with a family of 13 children, says that the community collects water for domestic use from an open swamp located 2km away since other alternatives (a shallow hand dug wells and a borehole) are many kilometers away. The water they collect from the swamp is turbid and sometimes smells during rainy seasons. Mr. Opar Gassiano, the village chairman, affirmed in his application letter for partnership that the community he leads has already mobilized and had also collected all materials like sand, bricks, aggregates and labor to excavate the well. One of the residents has also offered to host the technician and a helper whom we shall send to this community.
There will be an intensive program to provide access to clean water and sanitation. The community will participate in excavating and constructing the water source. In the meantime the aim is that all households have access to a latrine. Many households do not 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 healthy lives, 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 improved sanitation.
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. The program 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, we can work towards 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. The team 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, embarrassment and shame are frequent motivators for individual households to: build latrines, use the latrines, and demand that other households do the same.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
August 15, 2015
Today we reported to the village to start excavation. We started with siting a suitable location and technician Dan, being assisted by Brian, took the lead. The community was found ready to start work and upon zeroing in on a location, they began to excavate.
August 23, 2015
Water was struck 13 feet deep and presently the well excavation process is 2 feet into the aquifer. The community is very supportive.
September 7, 2015
Both the slab and pump base have been cast as excavation continues. The recharge is good and all is moving on well. Presently the well is well is 26ft deep with a water column of 3 ft since it was struck at 23 ft.
September 11, 2015
Today we measured the recharge rate of this well which we found sufficient.
September 14, 2015
All masonry work at this site is concluded. The well has been chlorinated and covered, and allow to cure. We shall update you when it is installed.
September 23, 2015
Today we returned to this village for installation which was successful. The community is now enjoying clean and safe water as seen in the pictures below.
(Editor's note: The population for this community is an estimate as our partner was not able to provide this information. As we learn more, we'll let you know.)
