This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Leah Ferrebee.
To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to provide water for washing, bathing, cleaning, and irrigating plants of the female residents and staff of Rehoboth.
Leah reports:
Let it rain! Rehoboth residents and staff are actively collecting and using rainwater for many of their household chores. This project allowed Rehoboth to install four rain water catchment systems. Residents use the ready supply of water for laundry, dish washing, toilet flushing, watering plants and cleaning surrounding areas.
Shortly after the systems were installed, the staff facilitated an educational activity to generate discussions about the sources of public water, threats to those sources, benefits of collecting rainwater and uses of rainwater. Residents created educational posters, which are now displayed around the children’s home as reminders for the youth and for visitors.
Since this project was implemented, Rehoboth’s city water invoice has decreased. The first month showed a 3% decrease, and the second a 9% decrease. An extended rainy season has allowed the residents to get into a routine of using the rain water and cleaning the catchment systems in between uses to prevent mosquito breeding.
The executive director, Amelia Tuquero, shared her enthusiasm for the project’s continued potential “Not only will the new rain water catchment system help recycle our available resources, it will allow the youth to experience how it is to do it so they can replicate the money-saving and resource- saving technique after they leave the Home and even share with others.”
During this project, the youth learned a catchy song about saving resources.; as they continue to use the collected rainwater, it is common to hear them singing ”water is life….conserve it now, before it’s gone.”
We are grateful to Leah for completing this important project, and again wish to thank Vocus Inc., Manila Office, for providing the funding.
