Rehabilitation Project
The report below from our partner in the field gives some great information on the construction of a new hand-dug well in the Kinyara I Kyamugiri Village in Uganda:
Background:
Kinyara I Kyamugiri is a sub village of Kinyara local council located in Kigya Parish, Kigumba sub-county, Kiryandongo district. This village of about 30 households depends on subsistence farming with beans, ground nuts, cassava and sweet potatoes as their source of livelihood. Residents of this village used to share an open hand dug water source with the neighboring village of Kinyara I, located 2km away until the community of Kinyara I whom applied and successfully received a new shallow hand dug well from TWT in May 2014. The open source that had been shared between the two communities needed to be sealed off due to an unfortunate incident in which a young child drowned.
The village partnership between TWT and Kinyara I prompted the community of Kinyara I Kyamugiri to come together and organize for a well of their own and were willing to contribute towards the local materials required. The community appealed to Mr. Adyaka Emilio the village chairman to help them and put in an application for a new shallow hand dug well which he agreed to do because of the size and distance of Kinyara village. Mr. Ochamba Peter, a 50yr old resident of Kinyara I Kyamugiri whom heads a family of seven says that everything in this village is so good apart from access to clean and safe water. This village is blessed with fertile soils, social and hospitable people on top of a favorable climate to cultivate. of this community through
The Water Trust (TWT) 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, separate structure for animals and 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 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
September 19, 2014
Construction work began on this site and the community is in high spirit of supporting Christopher the technician who has been assigned to this community. Presently excavation work is 7ft deep.
September 25, 2014
A very enthusiastic community has continued to work to with the technician through the 22nd foot of excavation. Although they have not yet hit water, their hope is high and are optimistic that they will soon be there.
October 10, 2014
This week the Christopher the technician and the community volunteers have reached 37ft and achieved a water column of 7ft. Soil formation remains stable and Christopher the technician is hoping to achieve a water column of 10ft before the well can be recommended for lining and covering.
October 17, 2014
Christopher the technician and the community volunteers have successfully managed to excavate this well to reach 40 ft and attain a water column of 10ft. The well is stable and recharge remains very good and Christopher is working to line the well. An additional 1000 bricks will be needed to complete this process before the well is covered and the slab is cast.
October 24, 2014
Construction is on going with Christopher the technician completing the pump base and slab this week. He has also been busy working on lining the well with brick work which has reached the water zone. He will require additional bricks to complete the well next week.
October 31, 2014
Excavation work has been concluded at 40ft and the well has a water column of 10ft with a good recharge rate. Brick work on the wall lining is on course with 8ft left to reach the top. Additional materials like clay, 1trip of sand and 5200bricks were delivered to the site.
November 3, 2014
Christopher the technician has concluded all masonry work with finishing to the over site slab and drainage done very well. A fence has been constructed around the water source to stop animals from accessing it and the well has been treated. It is now covered to cure before a pump can be installed.
November 12, 2014
Today we installed this water source and the village members celebrated this achievement.
