Location
Kerewan Dumbokono, Upper Fuladu District, Central River Region, The Gambia
Community Description
Kerewan Dumbokono is a small Mandinka village located in the Central River Region of The Gambia. Most villagers depend on coos and groundnut (peanuts) for sustenance while most of the women work in the nearby rice fields, which are about 5 km from the village. Years back, there were 4 hand pumps installed in the community, but since there is no formal maintenance/repair system for these pumps, many are neglected once there is an issue with them.
Two sources, a hand pump and an open well, provide water for the Kerewan Dumbokono Lower Basic School, 5 surrounding compounds, and the women’s garden which is located at the school. They are in disrepair, and currently, there is no water in the school. This has been an issue for the school cooks, who often send the students to further-away pumps for water to cook and clean at the school.
The hand pump is the main source of water for the school and the families surrounding the school. In 2011, the handle snapped off of the pump, so now they have removed the cement covering and retrieved water using buckets and rope, like an open well. This has put the village’s water supply at risk of dirt, runoff, and other pollutants which compromise the cleanliness of the water.
The open well is about 2 to 3 meters wide in diameter. The issue with the well is that during the rainy season, sand comes into the well through cracks in the cylinder.
The garden is currently not being tended to because of the lack of a water source. The garden involved over 60 women who planted vegetables such as, tomato, eggplant, onion, pepper, pumpkin and cabbage. The garden was the main source of vegetables for both the students and families in the community.
Project Description
This project is to provide access to safe and clean water for the school and to provide water for the community women’s garden.
The open well will be repaired by installing 2 new concrete cylinders for the sides of the well. The School Management Committee and the school’s Mother’s Club have organized individuals to help clean out the well.
There are some community members who have some knowledge about doing the work and there are also workers in nearby villages like Chargel who they are willing to work with.
Water Charity funds will be used to buy 6 bags of cement, and 1 bag of gravel to construct the cylinders.
Water will be drawn by buckets and rope, but a pulley system is planned when adequate funds are obtained.
The hand pump will be fixed by welding on the handle. The work will be done by a worker from a nearby village, Sare Chuto, who is a professional welder. Water Charity funds will pay for this work as well.
Project Impact
150 students at Kerewan Dumbokono Lower Basic School and 300 community members will benefit from the project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Ciera Smith
Comments
This project will provide water for the well-being of the school and surrounding compounds and will provide a water source for the women’s garden, located in the school.
Dollar Amount of Project
$550.00
Donations Collected to Date
$550.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of Michael and Carla Boyle, of Nelsonville, OH, USA.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.