This project is made possible through the partnership of WATER CHARITY and the NATIONAL PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION. 
Location
Dodji, Doutou, Benin
Community Description
Doutou is an agrarian community of approximately 20,000 people. Due to the climate in the southern half of the country, where Doutou is located, many of the people who live there make their money from farming. The area is noted for having a long rainy season that is very beneficial for a diverse array of crops.
Located within the community of Doutou is the village of Dodji. Dodji is home to around 1,500 men, women, and children. There is a health center, a primary school and a secondary school all located in the village. The secondary school in Dodji is the second of three secondary schools in the Doutou area. There are currently over 700 students enrolled in classes ranging from 6th grade through 12th grade. There are around 400 boys and 300 girls at the school at this time. The school employs around 50 teachers, ten of which are full-time.
Problem Addressed
There is currently no source of drinkable water located within a reasonable distance from the middle school in Dodji. Students must arrive in the morning, after walking for nearly an hour to come to school, with all the water they will need for that day.
If students are financially capable, there are water sachets for sale by the vendors who sell food during break times. Each sachet holds around a half-liter of water and, when people are finished with them, they simply dispose of them on the grounds of the school. This creates a health hazard in the form of pollution. The students are all given responsibilities for the upkeep of the school and they often have no choice but to burn the plastic sachets in order to get rid of them which is not good for the environment.
Students frequently complain of symptoms that are related to dehydration including headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue. Even the teachers and members of the administration find themselves without water if they do not plan ahead. Some students, teachers, and administrators are forced to go an entire day without water.
Project Description
This project will bring a water pump system to the secondary school at Doutou 2 to provide the students, teachers, administrators, and nearby community members with access to potable water.
A borehole will be drilled to a depth of approximately 60 meters. An electrician will be on hand to connect the pump to a generator which will be the power source used to make the pump operate.
Various laborers will be on hand to shape and build the structure that will hold a 4,000-liter water tank so that water can be stored above ground for use at any time throughout the day or week.
The plumber will work to ensure the pipes are all connected and the water flows correctly. The mason will construct the structure from bricks made by hand on which the water tank will rest. The electrician will ensure that the pump is correctly connected to a generator and instruct those who will be responsible for maintenance on how the system works.
The majority of Water Charity funds will go toward materials and labor. The community will provide unskilled labor and local materials. The contractor will complete a part of the project at a greatly reduced cost.
Project Impact
This project will impact around 800 people including 700 students, 50 teachers and administrators, and 50 community members.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Jocelyn Tucker
Monitoring and Maintenance
The community is acutely aware of their need for water on school grounds. Administrators are fully willing to take any and all responsibility for the pump including taking over maintenance and repairs that may be needed as the pump is in use.
The community is already habituated to paying a small fee to collect water from a pump so the school will use the same system that is in place throughout the community with no issue.
Let Girls Learn
While this is not an LGL project it will benefit girls in numerous ways. A task such as fetching water is viewed as domestic tasks that should be conducted by a woman. Often, when water is needed at the school, it is girls who are sent to go find it.
When the pump is put in on school grounds, girls will not be required to walk long distances to find water. They will also have access to the water for themselves which will help with their hygiene and general health.
Fundraising Target
$6,800
Funds raised in excess of the project amount will be allocated to other projects in the country.
Donations Collected to Date
$6,800
ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE PROJECT.
Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you “naming rights”, if that is something you would like.
Dollar Amount Needed
$0 – This project has been funded by an anonymous donor.
