Rehabilitation Project
The 250 community members who live in the Kihangani Community do not have a safe, reliable water source for drinking and meeting their daily needs. They must walk nearly an hour to a small pool of water, where what they collect risks their health each time they consume it.
"The water is extremely dirty, has a bad smell, and is contaminated. The water causes illness with reports of diseases such as diarrhea and stomach upsets," said Field Officer Bena Nakabiri.
The walk to the water source takes people through busy, overgrown areas that are breeding grounds for wild animals like snakes. At the water source itself, people report their greatest concern is encountering a crocodile. Since the source is also open without any form of protection, it is not uncommon for animals to enter the water, drink, and defecate near it. Sadly, without an alternative water source, there is no option but to take the risk of collecting the needed water.
Adifaith standing near the water source.
"I’m deeply concerned because I share the water source with animals, and sometimes, I even encounter crocodiles in it. I would feel a lot safer if I didn’t have to share water with animals and if I were assured of using clean, uncontaminated water. Water is essential, especially when it's clean and safe. It supports good health and contributes to creating a safe and clean environment," shared 45-year-old farmer Adifaith Kyaligonza.
When community members like Adifaith consume contaminated water, they never know if they will become ill with water-related illnesses. Inevitably, people do get sick, and these illnesses often steal their health and their much-needed resources.
Adifaith collecting water.
"Drinking water that harms my health is problematic because it affects both my body and my children’s, and there's little that can be done once we're already sick. When I fell ill, I visited the clinic and purchased some medication, but I didn’t have enough money to cover the full dosage. I bought the tablets, but I ended up using the small amount of money I had set aside for other purposes," said Adifaith.
Understandably, suffering from persistent illnesses related to the water you consume makes it difficult to attend to your daily responsibilities and make progress. For Adifaith, it means she doesn't have sufficient time in her garden, which leads to a lack of food and a decreased income.
"When I'm sick, it impacts my daily activities, as I'm unable to go to the garden," Adifaith said.
Having access to a nearby safe and secure water source will empower Adifaith to maintain her health and make progress in her daily life.
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. They decided to drill a borehole well, construct a platform for the well, and attach a hand pump.
Well
Abundant water often lies just beneath our feet. Aquifers—natural underground rivers—flow through layers of sediment and rock, offering a constant supply of safe water. A borehole well is drilled deep into the earth to access this naturally filtered and protected water. We penetrate meters, sometimes even hundreds of meters, of soil, silt, rock, and more to reach the water underground. Once found, we construct a platform for the well and attach a hand pump. The community gains a safe, enclosed water source capable of providing approximately five gallons of water per minute. Learn more here!
Community Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each community's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point. Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the community. Encouraged and supported by the guidance of our team, a water user committee representative of the community's diverse members assumes responsibility for maintaining the water point, often gathering fees to ensure its upkeep.
A Community-Wide Approach
In Uganda, we use a Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach, which involves several meetings where community members evaluate their own hygiene and sanitation practices to encourage lasting change. During these sessions, natural leaders emerge, motivating the community to recognize and change unhealthy behaviors that affect everyone.
Communities then commit to ending open defecation before we install the water project. Every household builds and uses a latrine to prevent disease and improve hygiene and sanitation alongside their new water source. To support this effort, a Community Development Officer (CDO) is assigned. The CDO encourages each household to set up handwashing stations, animal pens, garbage pits, and dish-drying racks. These additions are crucial in preventing the spread of common diseases.
