Project Status



Project Type:  Borehole Well and Hand Pump

Program: Wells for Uganda

Impact: 315 Served

Project Phase: 
Community Managed
Implementing Partner Monitoring Data Unavailable
Initial Installation: Apr 2014

Project Features


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Community Profile

Upon completion of the project, our partner in the field reports...

Community Details
When the team arrived, 63 families including a local Deliverance Church were dependent on various forms of surface water to sustain their immediate and growing water needs. Because of this and the community’s practice of open defecation, families were suffering from diarrhea and severe dehydration among other preventable water related illnesses. The community has access to shared communal facilities, pit latrines and a newly constructed pit latrine with a slab. The continued use of these facilities coupled with sustained hygiene promotion and an improved water source will help reduce the spread of disease in the area. The sole use of these facilities will also promote the adoption of good hygiene behaviors and practices. There are community health workers serving in the community who are working to better community health outcomes. Most residents are of Catholic or Muslim faith and the local church will help continue to cultivate believers by using the provision of safe drinking water to share the good news. During the team’s stay, community members assembled a water committee who assisted the team with the water project whenever possible, supplied any materials they had available and guarded the team’s equipment. Water committees are typically comprised of 5 to 7 members who are trained in various aspects of well and water management. The established water committee will help maintain the well after the team leaves the area.

Hygiene Promotion
Upon arrival in Kenshunga Community, the Living Water team conducted a baseline survey to better determine lessons to teach and to better monitor hygiene lessons learned. Following a community baseline survey, a feedback meeting was held with community members, triggering drawing up of a sanitation improvement action plan. Joint home improvement verification visits were done with local leaders. During the hygiene education, and using a Community Led Total Sanitation approach the following principle hygiene issues were addressed: Hand washing, how to properly transport and store water, disease transmission and prevention, how to maintain proper care of the pump, as well as signs and symptoms of dehydration and how to make Oral Rehydration Solution. All of these lessons are taught in a participatory method to help community members discover ways to improve their hygiene and sanitation choices, and implement community driven solutions. After they hygiene education the community constructed tippy taps for single household use and a pit latrine with a slab.

Community Member Interview
The team had an opportunity to meet with 37-year-old community member and former civil servant, Leonard, who stated, "As a medical practitioner, I have treated many members of this village suffering from water and sanitation related diseases. I, and the entire village have waited for such a long time to witness a safe clean drinking water source in our village. Thank you living water for finally making our dreams come true."

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Project Photos


Project Type

Abundant water is often right under our feet! Beneath the Earth’s surface, rivers called aquifers flow through layers of sediment and rock, providing a constant supply of safe water. For borehole wells, we drill deep into the earth, allowing us to access this water which is naturally filtered and protected from sources of contamination at the surface level. First, we decide where to drill by surveying the area and determining where aquifers are likely to sit. To reach the underground water, our drill rigs plunge through meters (sometimes even hundreds of meters!) of soil, silt, rock, and more. Once the drill finds water, we build a well platform and attach a hand pump. If all goes as planned, the community is left with a safe, closed water source providing around five gallons of water per minute! Learn more here!


Contributors

Project Underwriter - Issac Wright
The Charles and Gail Muskavitch Foundation
Floyd Central High School
Chandler School Boosters Inc.
Bonnie Ziegler
St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Faith Community
Norwell High School
Douglas County School District
New Castle High School
Middle School at Parkside
US Grant School 7th Grade
Oakland Elementary School
Brownie Troop 53024
Girl Scout Troop 2672
Mars One
Faith Baptist Youth Group
Katy Nadal's Fundraising Page
First Grade Fundraising Page
36 individual donor(s)