Conclusion of Jamaly Lower Basic School Pump Project – The Gambia

This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Stephanie Starch.

To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.

The project was to repair the pump at Jamaly Lower Basic School.

Stephanie reports:

I am happy to report that the hand pump at Jamally Lower Basic has been fixed!

We were able to fix the pump at Jamally Lower Basic School just a few days before the term ended on July 15th. Mr. Bojang, the headmaster, couldn’t have been happier, saying “fixing our water supply was our biggest development goal for the year and now we have been successful”.

Everyone is very excited to start the next school term off right with a working pump. Students were already talking about how much easier gardening will be in the future with a close water supply. Students and teachers alike had big smiles on their faces when the water poured out of the refurbished pump after a few light strokes.

A local hand pump repair man, Mr. Jallow, was able to find us all the parts and do the repairs himself. This made it easier for all involved parties, as it was Mr. Jallow who traveled across the country to buy the parts.

The teachers and some men from the village worked together to help fix the pump. Fifty meters of piping had to be pulled up so that we could replace old parts.

With Water Charity funds, we were also able to replace the top of the pump, the headpiece, and put on a new handle. The whole pump is working better. According to Mr. Jallow the pump should not need repairs for ten years.

Thank you for your continued support.

We, in turn, extend our thanks to Stephanie for completing this project. We are also grateful to Michael Starch for providing the funding