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 Nyabukoni Siriba Village in Uganda:
Background Information:
Nyabukoni Siriba is a small village that constitutes Nyabukoni local council I and it is located deep in Kikuube Parish, Kiryandongo sub-county in Kiryandongo district. The village was split from the main local council of Nyabukoni by river Siriba and accessing it is very hard due to a very poor road network with a river that does not have a bridge. Crossing to this village involves waiting awhile for the only boat that sails through back and forth river Siriba.
Nyabukoni Siriba is predominantly a grazing village with many small kraals of cattle and the major produce from this village are dairy products like milk and ghee. Residents of this village do not have access to social services like schools, hospitals and water. Folks from this village collect water from river Siriba which is shared with animals and many of the children do not go to school due to the long distance involved coupled with crossing the river.
One of the elders in this village called Irumba William 62ys, married with 8children feels that this village has never been discovered basing on the fact that government has never extended any services to them. He was surprised when a team from The Water Trust visited them and promised to help them access clean water through a hand dug shallow well. In Mukholi Wilson the village chief’s letter to The Water Trust, he expressed need for a clean source of water to enable them stop drinking water from river Siriba which is an open source as seen in the pictures below.
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:
Community Development Officer (CDO) per village. The CDO encourages each household 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 ratification of clean water as an impetus, TWT works toward sustainable, interdisciplinary WASH development.
The Water Trust’s social program includes the assignment of one to builder. 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 gr 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:
November 28, 2014
Today we delivered Bernard the technician to the community and also sites a suitable location. He will immediately start excavation work at this site with support from the community.
December 4, 2014
Water was struck at a very shallow depth of 9ft which prompted the technician to re-site to avoid contamination of the ground water arising from the shallow depth.
December 12, 2014
Both Bernard the technician, Rashid the helper and the community have managed to excavate up-to the water table at 13feet deep after resitting to a new site. The community contribution of 2000 bricks, one trip of hard core and one trip of sand will be delivered to site soon.
December 19, 2014
The community contribution of 2000 bricks, one trip of hard core and one trip of sand have been delivered on site. Transport was provided by The Water Trust as the community participated by loading the materials to the truck. This site will be closed briefly during the festive season.
January 16, 2015
Upon return from the Christmas break, we engaged in refresher training for both technical staff and technicians which was successfully concluded. We have now delivered a technician to site who is going to start by re-mobilizing the community, re-training them on safety regulations while at site and their role in the process of excavation.
January 22, 2015
Bernard the technician and his helper Rashid resumed excavation works and all is progressing on well through the 17th foot. Upon realizing poor soil formation, the water zone has all been bricked up to support the walls of the well. Bernard reports good cooperation from the community and that the elderly members took the role of crashing the hard core into aggregate which will be used at the time of casting both the mold and the concrete ring.
January 30, 2015
Bernard the technician and Rashid his helper managed to deepen the well up to 20ft. The well currently has a water column of 7ft which was measured and found to be very good. Some hard core were packed at the well walls to block the moving soil.
January 6, 2015
All masonry work at this well have been concluded and the well has been covered after thorough cleaning. It now awaits installation which will be in a few days to come.
February 12, 2015
Today we returned to this village for installation which was a success! The community is very happy about the achievement and has pledged to keep this well in good condition with support from the water user committee.
