The Busoga Region borehole program was launched on 13 March. The launch was attended by political and religious leaders, journalists, government officials, health teams and village elders. They discussed the land to be allocated for the borehole and the election of a Bore Hole Leadership Committee (BHLC). The purpose of the Bore Hole Leadership Committee (BHLC) is to ensure general cleanliness and maintenance of the water source and to mobilize the community to pay their monthly contribution of $0.27. The community elders were to be responsible for protecting the borehole. Each village provided free land for a borehole and part of the accommodation for the team working on the borehole. We focused on using local labor, as this creates employment opportunities and enables them to earn a living for their families.
On 14 March 2023, the digging of the boreholes started in three villages, Bulamangi(A), Bulamangi(B) and Kasolo, each of which received one borehole. There were 3 workers assigned to each well. Accommodation and food for the workers were provided by the project and sometimes voluntarily by the community.
This project is aimed to bring 50 boreholes in the 25 villages, each village is to get 2 new boreholes. So far we have managed to launch 3 new boreholes in Bulamangi(A), Bulamangi(B) (Bwanalira) and Kasolo Villages with a population of about 3300 people. This is a great milestone although the above need to receive more boreholes to continuously minimize the risks encountered during the search for clean water.
Safe Water access is made available in the 3 villages.
Water Charity along with the OKOA Hero’s Child Ministries, in collaboration with the Village Health Team, have been able to educate the community on how to use water to improve sanitation and hygiene in their homes.
Challenges Encountered and Actions Taken
CHALLENGES
ACTION TAKEN
Material prices changed due to the unstable economy in the country.
We managed to use a bargain for a good price.
Weather changes – Uganda majorly expects 2 seasons both dry and wet seasons. Majorly during the rainy season it’s hard to dig the well since it makes it filled with water hence delaying work to be accomplished in the time frame.
We used the Water pump to drain out water from the well and also used the chance that it’s at the other side positive that the soil is softener hence easing the work.
Hard rocky layer at well 1 and falling sticky soils at well 2 for more than 5-10 feet deep, which brought some delays.
We used a rock-drilling machine to break through and good enough after a few days we managed to beat it. For the sticky soils we had to use bricks and cement to block it from falling and this really worked.
Accommodations for both labor workers and organization staff. The village infrastructures are poor and squeezed.
We had no solution rather than planning it for our next round of work. Camping tents will be purchased during our next phase.
2 Casual workers suffered from Malaria.
They all got treatment at the nearby health center. We plan that in our next phase, we will purchase a few antimalarials in case of an emergency.
Beneficiary Testimonials
Nakanda Aisha mentioned that she feels good to have Water in the community. Before, they have been loitering, moving in different directions to look for water. It’s of a good fortune that they now have water and thanked the organization.
Ramazan Bikhado(Jewewo) said that he thanks the organization for drilling them a borehole. Earlier, he visited the offices with a request for assistance since their village was badly off. They had only one borehole that broke down, at that point eating, bathing and washing was difficult. Therefore, he thanks the organization for rescuing them and prays that Allah rewards the organization.
Nabirye Stellah, a young mother in Bwanalira Village stated that she thanks Water Charity for bringing them water nearer. They have been struggling for water, walking long distances. At times their colleagues were delayed coming back from school…. the other borehole was locked and sometimes they decided to miss bathing. She said “Thank you very much Water Charity and May God Bless You!”
Balidawa Samson from Bwanalira Village expressed his thanks to Water Charity for donating them a borehole for water. Before, they have had multiple challenges since the water source was very far. Their children walked at night to look for water. Now that it’s near, they are thankful and pray for more boreholes for the safety of the children in the village.
To see more testimonials, CLICK HERE. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE. To read details about the Busoga Region Borehole Program Second Round – Uganda, CLICK HERE.
