Location
Dioila, Koulikoro, Mali, West Africa
Community Description
Dioila is a mid-size town of approximately 25,000 people and although it has some amenities that other small villages do not (including electricity and tap water), Dioila’s townspeople are faced with the same problems: limited or no access to potable water, and lack of disposable income and any means to generate it.
The 36 women of the local women’s association and their families operate a community garden. They have identified several needs at the garden including fencing, well repair (the well goes dry), and water storage.
To date, they have installed fencing to keep out stray animals, built three water-saving cisterns to improve irrigation and are currently repairing and deepening the well to provide water year-round.
Additionally, a manual rope-and-knot pump built from only locally available materials is ready to be installed when the well is finished.
However, it is necessary to repair the top portion of the well to prevent stormwater infiltration, and more specifically to prevent unclean groundwater from entering the well within the top 4 meters.
Project Description
This project is to repair the top well, which will allow only clean, naturally-filtered water to enter the well. It will include the installation of a well lid with a lock, and a well apron, to prevent standing water.
This well will serve as an example for the community and will provide the water needed for the garden to continue to thrive. It will also provide much-needed income and improved nutrition for the women and their families.
Project Impact
300 people will directly benefit, including the women, their families, and those helping to build the well.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Chris Romero
Comments
This is an extremely effective project for a small amount of money. It builds upon the innovation, organization and camaraderie of a committed group of women who have already moved most of the way to implement their plans.
Dollar Amount of Project
$150.00
Donations Collected to Date
$150.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of Gunnar Gundersen, of Montclair, CA, USA with extra donations from Chris’s friends.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Chris Romero of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Chris and/or those of his counterpart PCVs in Mali.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.