This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Rowan Braybrook. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
This project, which was designed to build three wells in different communities in northern Madagascar, exceeded expectations.
Rowan reports:
This project resulted in the development of 6 wells in the commune of Anjangoveratra, district of Sambava, northern Madagascar.
The three towns that received wells are located next to the Missouri Botanical Garden’s (MBG’s) new Makirovana Forest reserve. This gives additional environmental importance to well construction, as changing water sources will reduce forest incursions, erosion, and runoff.
The financial support encouraged the NGOs ARES and MBG to match the original funding and double the number of wells built.
The towns of Antanandava, Anamboafo, and Marolamba have a total population of 3,419 and went from having zero wells to having six, two in each town, giving each community close to full clean water coverage.
Two of the wells were installed at area schools, and use by residents is high.
In addition to housing and feeding workers, gathering local materials (sand and gravel), and transporting well materials, several community members assisted the well builders at each well throughout the construction process, giving them the construction skills needed to clean and repair the wells when needed.
The community has appointed two guardians for each well who lock up the well cover at night and monitor use.
We are grateful to Rowan for completing the project and to The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust and Positive H2O (+H2O) for providing the funding.
