Location
Elderslie, St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies
Community Description
Elderslie, Jamaica is a rural community in the western hills of Jamaica’s Cockpit Country, about an hour and a half by car south of Montego Bay. The main industry of agriculture serves primarily for local distribution in the nearby market of Santa Cruz, though some products from a recent commercial startup are beginning to be exported through Montego Bay. These agricultural products include banana, yam, pineapple, dasheen, sugar cane, ackee, breadfruit, tomato, callalo, mango, etc. Other than a small selection of shops, the only other forms of employment in the community are the school, the post office and a small clinic.
Though the population of Elderslie can be estimated at about 2,000, the Elderslie Primary & Junior High School serves not only the community of Elderslie, but many others in the environs including Jointwood, Retirement and Dry River to the south, Niagara, Johnson and Mocho to the north and Mulgrave and Merrywood to the west. To the east is wilderness – or in Jamaican vernacular, bush.
Project Description
This project is to repair the fountains and handwashing stations that serve the school.
There are presently two water sources. The first is from a tank connected to a rain catchment system. The other source is a tank filled by potable pipe water. There are 8 spring-loaded valves connected to the potable pipe water that run into a concrete basin. Three of these valves, which are broken, will be replaced, and a spare will be purchased.
The drainage system for the basin, which is presently clogged and not functioning, will be rebuilt. Clearing the drainage pipe will require digging up and replacing a section of the pipe. The repair will include a mesh cover for the drains, preventing similar clogs in the future.
Finally, squirt dispensers of liquid hand soap will be installed to replace the unsanitary bar soap presently in use.
Project Impact
The potable water and handwashing system, which serves 300 primary and junior high school students, grades 1 through 9, and 23 staff members, will be made functional. Precious water, presently in short supply due to lack of rain and service failures by the water utility, will be conserved for the beneficial use of the school. There will be a secondary impact of improved sanitary conditions among the whole community.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Chris Robertson
Comments
Scarce and costly water will be conserved through the installation of the new valves. The repairs will allow all of the spigots to be used, encouraging healthful practices. The repaired drainage system will eliminate standing water.
Dollar Amount of Project
$255.00
Donations Collected to Date
$255.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 This project has been fully funded. However, we encourage you to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Chris Robertson of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Chris and/or those of his counterpart PCVs in Jamaica.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.
To read about Phase 2 of this project, CLICK HERE.