The Mafi-Dedukope Clinic serves as a cornerstone in the delivery of health services and the promotion of public health in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region. It effectively addresses the immediate healthcare needs of the local population, with a strong focus on maternal and child health, while ensuring broader access to healthcare.
Currently, the Mafi-Dedukope Clinic is facing an urgent situation. A significant population of over 1600 people from various neighboring villages rely on an unprotected pond as their primary source of water. This predicament poses a serious threat to the well-being of patients and severely hampers the delivery of quality health care. Contaminated water not only triggers various diseases but also increases the risk of healthcare-associated infections. The fundamental objective of this initiative is to establish a piped water system that is seamlessly connected to a nearby community water pipeline. This strategic intervention will provide the clinic with a reliable and uncontaminated source of water, which will clearly improve the quality of healthcare delivery.
OBJECTIVES
Enhance patient care and safety by ensuring access to clean and sanitized water.
Minimize the time and effort spent fetching water, allowing medical staff to focus on providing quality healthcare services.
Reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and related complications for patients and staff.
Improve the overall well-being of the community by providing a sustainable solution for clean water.
PROJECT DETAILS
Water Charity is taking substantial steps to tackle the pressing water and sanitation challenges faced by the Mafi-Dedukope Clinic. The organization is launching a project with the primary objective of installing a 24,000-liter tank. This sizeable tank is designed to store a substantial volume of clean and safe water, significantly boosting the clinic’s capacity to meet its water needs.
One of the pivotal aspects of this project is the establishment of a connection between the newly installed tank and the nearby community water pipeline. This linkage will guarantee a consistent and dependable water source for the clinic, which is vital for ensuring the delivery of high-quality healthcare services.
The installation process for this project will be executed by an experienced and proficient team of Child Survivor Aid Ghana. These experts bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the table, ensuring that the installation is not only efficient but also complies with rigorous safety and quality standards. Their commitment to excellence is central to the success of this initiative, as it underscores Water Charity’s dedication to improving healthcare and public health in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region in Ghana.
BENEFITS
Access to clean water can have numerous benefits for healthcare services and the community as a whole. These benefits include:
Improved patient care: Clean water reduces the risk of healthcare-associated infections, thereby improving the quality of healthcare services and patient outcomes.
Time and resource savings: Eliminating the need to fetch water from distant ponds saves significant time and effort for both medical staff and patients, allowing them to focus on their respective roles and responsibilities.
Enhanced staff morale: Providing a reliable water source alleviates the stress and concerns faced by the clinic staff, particularly for their children who may be exposed to unsafe water sources.
Community welfare: By ensuring access to safe water, this project will contribute to the welfare and health of the entire community in the long run.
Our water supply project at the Mafi-Dedukope Clinic is aimed at providing sustainable healthcare solutions to vulnerable individuals in rural areas. By securing a fundamental resource that underpins healthcare services, we seek to enhance the overall well-being of the community. This project represents our commitment to making a tangible impact on communities facing water and sanitation challenges. We believe that clean water and healthcare are integral to the prosperity of any community.
PROJECT COST
Item
Qty
Unit Price GHC
Total GHC
Cost of connecting the water from Pipeline
1
6000
6000
Cement
10
100
1000
Ply tank (Rambo 1200)
1
14055
28,110
25 mm pipe PE
8
750
6000
Blocks
150
7
1050
Labor
6324
Total Cost
48,484
PROJECT TIMELINE
Period
Activity
November 2023
Sourcing for Funding
Beginning of December 2023
Initiation of the Project
End of December 15th 2023
Completion of the Project
December 23 2023
Inspection of the Project
December 30 2023
Commission of the Project
The funds for this program have been advanced by Water Charity. Your donation using this Donate button will ensure that we have funds available to accomplish this project. Kindly donate using the button below:
Mbour Project 1- Daru Salam Village GPS: N14ᴼ25.040 W016ᴼ56.682
DARU SALAM VILLAGE is located on the outskirts of Mbour, Senegal. It has a population of about 400 people. The community is composed of Mandinka, Wollof and Serere tribes. It is predominantly Mandinka who migrated to this area from southern Senegal. The community depends on traditional fishing along the shores of Mbour, while others depend on labor jobs in the town of Mbour. With its multilingual tribes, the community has enjoyed tolerance and tranquility among the indigenous people.
Beneficiary Testimonials
This project was successfully completed. After re-digging, dewatering and flushing the well, a new complete German Mark 2 hand pump was installed. Water quality tests were also conducted. Members of the community expressed their gratitude and sincere thanks for the provision of this clean water project. They have been suffering from a severe water crisis for a long time. Living on a minimum daily wage, it is so hard for households to have proper food to eat and sustain themselves due to buying of water in the Mbour town said Ousainou who works as a daily paid laborer at the fish landing site in Mbour and has a household of 14 people. A similar sentiment was echoed by Modou Lamin Cisse, a teacher who has students nearby. He thanks the donors of this project. This clean water project is a savior for us said Sheikh Alagie Cisse the chief custodian of the community. Our women and children have suffered for long to have clean water. Thanks to this project we can now have a breath of fresh air and relief. He prayed for such similar projects all over for the benefit of human race.’
Mbour Project 2- Roff Village GPS: N14ᴼ17.920 W016ᴼ52.161
ROFF VILLAGE is located about 9 kilometers off the Mbour/Joal road. It is a Serere tribal community of about 450 people. The community depends on subsistence farming of millet and groundnuts, while some depend on manual labor in the town of Mbour. The community suffers from a lack of access to safe drinking water and is highly marginalized. Village chief Pierre Ngum said they rely on one open well for the entire village throughout the year. Waterborne diseases are common, especially during the rainy season, due to contamination from the open well.
Beneficiary Testimonials
This project was successfully completed. A 4.5-inch diameter borehole was drilled to a depth of 60 meters; after drilling the new borehole, a new complete German Mark 2 hand pump was installed. A concrete water trough was also constructed for the village’s livestock and water quality tests were conducted. We are very grateful for this water project now we can stay healthy and live happily. Thanks to this project our women and children can stay well and be happy instead of doing water collection miles away. We are grateful and thankful for this project said Ms. Marie Ngum a women leader of the village also expressed her gratitude for this project. She promised the newly formed water management committee would make sure the water source is protected and very well taken care of. The head of the village along with other senior members of the community showered their sincere thanks and gratitude to the project. This water project has come to save our lives and we are vey grateful.
This project has been completed. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
Epworth community members waiting to retrieve water from an unsafe well, the water that residents retrieve from this location is dirty and unsafe.
Water Charity, in partnership with Dare to Share launched a WASH initiative to meet the needs of the community. Limited access to clean water and a lack of hygiene resources are the largest challenges that Epworth residents face. A vast majority of the population relies on rivers and an inactive quarry for washing, bathing, and drinking. Waste has contaminated these resources and water-borne illnesses are rampant in the suburbs. The population suffers from HIV, tuberculosis, cholera, malaria, and parasites such as schistosomiasis. The number of infectious diseases will continue to rise if the water crisis is not averted.
Chiremba Road is a busy location that most residents use to travel long distances in order to retrieve water. Many residents in this area walked five to seven hours a day to the rivers. These residents suffered from diarrhea, parasites, and other water-borne illnesses because the river water is not safe to consume. Residents relied on these rivers for bathing, washing clothes, washing pots and pans, and drinking. They walked in hot, hazardous conditions daily to retrieve water that would likely make them ill. The burden of retrieving water fell on the shoulders of young girls and women in particular who missed school to travel, collect, and boil the water once they returned. Children in this area struggled to attend school in general because they spent their days traveling to the rivers to bathe, preparing water for meals, and gathering firewood so that they could boil the water once they attained it. Children oftentimes missed school due to waterborne illnesses. Chiremba Road is a densely populated area where up to ten families may stay in one household. Frequent visits to the rivers increased pollution significantly. The rivers are polluted with human waste and litter. A new borehole well would reduce trips to the rivers, thus diminishing the rate of pollution.
Project Description
The Epworth WASH Program is drilling boreholes to provide clean water to the residents. with clean water. Currently, residents have access to one borehole, two rivers and a quarry for washing and drinking water. Natural resources are contaminated. Rates of infectious diseases are high 4% of children regularly miss school due to water-borne diseases. Cholera, malaria, tuberculosis, HIV and bilharzia are common infections. The successful completion of Water Charity’s WASH project will reduce infectious disease rates, provide socio-economic opportunities and empower the community. One borehole can provide water for 1,000 people. The long-term goal of the WASH project is to drill 200 borehole wells. The project’s long-term goal also includes the Construction of hygiene facilities, including water closets, showers and laundry facilities. Fifty of these facilities will meet the needs of the community. Water Charity’s current focus is on the borehole project. Epworth currently has access to two working boreholes. The first was constructed before we started the WASH program. The second was completed in May 2023.
Progress Photos – 1
Board members; removal of old well system in background
Community board member assisting with taking materials off truck transport
Community members assisting contract workers with removal of old well system
Volunteers assisting with removal of old well system
Removing materials from truck transport
More community members arrive to assist with unloading well materials
Stands for collection barrels
Truck hire arrives with collection barrels
Truck transport and collection barrels
Community members assisting with erecting collection stands
Truck transport delivering collection barrels to site
Water collection barrel
Prepping soil for collection barrel stands
The WASH project aims to build two hundred borehole wells and fifty hygiene facilities. The phases of the project are as follows:
● Phase 1: Complete two borehole wells. The first is by Chiremba Road, a densely populated area of residents who have to walk up to seven hours a day to retrieve water from the rivers. The second will be by Epworth Secondary School to support the health of students and decrease the risk of infectious diseases that frequently prevent children from attending classes.
● Phase 2: Utilize grant funds to acquire a borehole drill rig and begin drilling several borehole wells yearly. This phase will provide many employment opportunities to community members. We will train members to operate the rig and construct the wells while following proper safety procedures and guidelines.
● Phase 3: Construct fifty hygiene facilities. The hygiene facilities will include showers, water closets, and laundromats. Residents currently have no access to hygiene facilities and depend on contaminated bodies of water to bathe, wash, cook, and drink. The hygiene facilities will drastically reduce infectious disease rates and improve the community’s health. We aim to hire community members to assist in building these facilities, thus providing job opportunities.
Water Charity’s donation of $6,000 has allowed to complete the first borehole well as outlined in Phase 1. The well currently supports 2,000 families that live on Chiremba Road. These families no longer have to travel several hours a day in hot conditions to retrieve dirty water. Your support has touched many lives within the first few months of our WASH project alone.
Progress Photos – 2
Community members assist with installing day six solar panels and wiring box
Day 6 , Solar panel assembly in Epworth
Installing wire-box
Solar panel wiring in Epworth
Solar installation in Epworth
We set the following goals as measurable objectives for the first well project:
Provide clean water to the residents of Chiremba Road, a community of 2,000 families that have no access to WASH resources.
Reduce pollution of natural water resources by providing a new borehole well.
Reduce infectious disease rates
Increase school attendance
Boost community involvement by creating volunteer opportunities, instructing residents on how to maintain the new borehole well, and providing careers to residents by hiring locals to keep the well secure, thus bringing revenue into the community.
Provide a clean water resource that all members of the community can use.
Hygiene has improved for children attending school. Children are able to wash their uniforms with water that is not contaminated. They are clean when they arrive to take their classes. They also have clean water to drink throughout the school day which is contributing to the decrease in waterborne illness. We will be using the following methods to measure the continued success of the project:
1. We have installed a water meter to measure the daily water usage in gallons. This will indicate how often the residents are using the well, and to what degree.
2. We are in contact with the local clinic. We have requested monthly reports of infectious diseases. We will send these reports to Water Charity as we receive them.
3. We are in contact with the local schools. The schools have agreed to share attendance data with us. We will use this data to track school attendance as it relates to the new borehole well. We expect that school attendance will be consistent now that children no longer have to miss class to retrieve water.
Progress Photos – 3
Community members by completed borehole well
We have clean water
Water collection barrels and solar panels assembled
Clean water is running
Checking the wire box
Getting clean water from the well
View of the local suburb from the well
Challenges & Outcomes
There were several challenges involved in the project. We predicted these challenges and were equipped to mitigate them as efficiently and effectively as possible. Most of the issues we dealt with involved navigating systems of corruption in Zimbabwe. When gathering quotes from contractors for the well materials and installation, we received values that were far above what was initially promised. The contractors were exaggerating the amounts to make excess profits. Once we gathered data on how much materials and installation should cost, the contractors settled for the prices outlined in the initial grant proposal. The final costs of the project are outlined in the budgetary portion of this report.
There is a strict political divide in Zimbabwe right now since elections are underway. Many residents cannot retrieve water from other areas in Epworth due to political dissension. One suburb will prevent another suburb from using its clean water resources because of differences in political beliefs. We were able to provide a clean water resource to all residents regardless of political affiliation. We are seeing the well unite the community in this way. Residents are communing peacefully with one another for the sake of protecting their new borehole well. We not only met our goals for the new borehole well project, but we also exceeded them. The well receives an estimated 2,000-3,000 visitors a week. Most visitors live in the well’s vicinity. Others are travelers who formerly walked several hours to retrieve water from the rivers. We are already observing a decrease in infectious diseases. Clinic visits are down by 6%. We receive data from the clinics on a monthly basis. We will be sure to share this data as we regularly receive the reports.
Communication was at times an issue. Electricity is not always available and communication between parties could be delayed for unpredictable amounts of time. We were fortunate enough to avoid significant delays in the borehole project due to communication, but there was an incident where the contractor who finished the well could not be contacted to resolve an error. The contractor installed an AC pump rather than a DC pump by mistake. The well was unable to fill the barrels with enough water. Two weeks passed before our team could contact the contractor to replace the pump. We are working to implement better protocols to resolve communication issues for future projects. Our team in Zimbabwe struggled to engage community members when the well project began. This was due in part to political controversy. Residents were unwilling to unite and assist with completing the well. Our Zimbabwe team resolved these tensions by clarifying our status as a neutral party with no political affiliations. By the end of the week, residents were volunteering with brick-laying for a collection station, cleaning the construction debris, keeping the well sanitary, and securing the premises. According to our Zimbabwe project coordinator, residents expressed that “they were one people” because the well was a community effort. As stated before, the well is unifying the community.
Going forward, the short-term objectives of the Water Charity’s borehole project are as follows:
Objective 1: Increase access to clean water for the people of Epworth through the construction of an additional third borehole, which will serve an additional 2,000 families.
Objective 2: Prolong the life of Epworth’s existing clean water resources through the completion of a third borehole well, thereby reducing the overuse of existing resources and minimizing repair costs.
Objective 3: Support the local economy by employing Zimbabwean-owned contractors to complete the construction of the borehole.
Objective 4: Encourage community involvement by creating volunteer opportunities for local residents to assist with general works associated with the borehole.
Objective 5: Support the local economy by creating jobs for Epworth residents, such as hiring day and night guards to secure the wells. A borehole can be completed within a week of securing the necessary funding.
Completion Photos
Children visiting from local suburb
Volunteers assisting with well completion
Volunteers assisting with well completion
Construction of refill station
1.7. Community members volunteering with collection station construction
Collection barrels against blue sky
Security fence
Conclusion Report
The borehole completed by Water Charity in April 2023 was built at Domboramwari Bridge along the Chiremba circuit. The borehole has been serving 2,000-3,000 people per month since its completion. This well was originally drilled in 2020 and equipped with a hand pump. The well was not operational until Water Charity provided the funds to rehabilitate it. Contractors replaced the old system with a solar-powered pump to restore its functionality and provide water to more of the community.
The cost of materials included the water tanks, tank stands, solar pump, power cable, pipes, fittings, rope and control box. Once the well materials were secured, the project manager scheduled the installation of the borehole through a third-party contractor. Construction began on 29 March 2023 with the removal of the old system. The new borehole was completed with the installation of solar panels on 7 April 2023. Due to the high crime rate in the region, extensive security measures were required for the successful completion of the project. A second contractor was hired to build a security fence around the well. Two security guards were hired to protect the wells and community members once the borehole was operational. These guards were trusted community members who had been employed through the WASH program.
Community volunteers assisted the team throughout the well construction process. Approximately five community members at a time helped with the installation of the well. Once the well was installed, the community members helped build a brick guard house and a water collection station. Community members were readily available when needed.
Beneficiary’s Testimonials
We are thankful for the generosity of Water Charity. Your donation allowed Epworth’s residents to strengthen their relationships with one another. They did so by collaborating on the new well project. The well is continuing to unite them as they are working together to keep it secure, safe, and clean.
The well receives an estimated 2,000-3,000 visitors a week. Most visitors live in the well’s vicinity. Others are travelers who formerly walked several hours to retrieve water from the rivers. We are already observing a decrease in infectious diseases. Clinic visits are down by 6%. We receive data from the clinics on a monthly basis. We will be sure to share this data with Water Charity as we regularly receive the reports.
School attendance has increased since the completion of the borehole well. Girls are attending their classes instead of sacrificing their days to fetch water. We have seen a 4% increase in school attendance since the borehole well opened to the public. These numbers are likely to continue rising. We are receiving monthly reports from the local schools to track school attendance and will be sharing these numbers with Water Charity as well.
We value your partnership in this project. It has been a pleasure to work with Water Charity to bring clean water to Zimbabwe. Thanks to your contribution, children in this region are able to attend school without sacrificing their education to retrieve contaminated water. Women are empowered to pursue career opportunities now that they do not have to sacrifice their days to fetch water. Young girls are attending their classes in school as well. Residents have access to clean water that they can use to bathe and wash their clothes. The hygiene of this region has improved significantly within weeks of the borehole opening to the public. The borehole will continue to increase the health and sanitation of this region over time.
We wish to express our sincere thanks to Water Charity for helping us serve the Epworth community. You have blessed these people with your generosity. The new borehole well has greatly contributed to the health and well-being of these people. It will continue to bless them every day.
To see project-related videos, CLICK HERE. To read about the beginning of this project, CLICK HERE.
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.
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 project-related videos, CLICK HERE. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
This project is made possible through the partnership of WATER CHARITY andThe Chinjaya Foundation.To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HEREandto read a progress report on this project, CLICK HERE.
Preliminary Report
The second phase of the Restoration and Protection of Bofedales Project began in August 2022 with activities to measure baseline data during the peak of the dry season in Peru, to complement the baseline data previously measured during the rainy season. The metrics that were measured included plant mass and water flow rates in each bofedal.
After the assessment of baseline data was completed, community members worked with the project team to identify strategies to improve water supplies and increase plant mass in their bofedales. The following tables provide a summary of the activities communities identified to improve water supplies:
Many of these activities required communities to have the proper tools, so a request to modify to the budget was submitted and approved by Water Charity on October 14, 2022. The changes to the budget allowed us to take surplus funds previously budgeted for grass seeds and fencing to be used for the purchase of “tool libraries” for each community. The communities manage these tools and community members can use them to complete the above project activities. The tools will remain in the communities so that they can continue to maintain their landscapes. Project beneficiaries have been focusing their efforts to implement the strategies they identified to improve water supplies and much progress has been made. One activity to note is the construction of geomembrane water wells. This was a strategy identified for communities that have very scarce water supplies and sandy soils. The geomembrane water wells are basically manmade open reservoirs lined with geomembranes. The geomembranes prevent water loss that was occurring due to sandy soil so that project beneficiaries can capture water and direct it to their bofedales. Project beneficiaries are using their own funds to purchase supplies for geomembranes because this was not previously included in the project, however, the project team is able to provide technical support for the construction of the reservoirs.
The following table provides a summary of the activities communities identified to improve plant mass in their bofedales:
Some of the activities focused on improving plant mass have been delayed due to the current political unrest in Peru. Protests and curfews have significantly impacted transportation, especially in Puno where this project is located. We expect to deliver grass seeds and fencing to all communities that have not yet received these supplies by the end of February 2023. Once communities have all the necessary supplies, they will be able to complete any pending activities they identified to improve plant mass and water supplies. Each project beneficiary is working to complete their activities by the end of March 2023. The contracted engineer for this project is expected to complete the first evaluation of the project by the end of May 2023.
In addition to the political unrest in Peru, it is also important to note that the Andes are facing one of the most severe droughts that the region has seen in years. This project aims to prepare communities to face droughts and climate changes, but it was not expected that this type of drought would affect the area so soon. This may affect the expected outcomes of the project, but nevertheless, this project is being implemented at a crucial time when communities are facing a significant decrease in water supplies and project activities are helping to combat the effects of the drought.
Epworth was a dormitory for refugees that grew into the country’s largest slum.
Location
Epworth, Harare Province, Zimbabwe
Community Description
Epworth is a community in Zimbabwe located in the Harare Province with a population of 206,365 people. The population has access to three borehole wells but only one is operational. The suburb currently has limited to no access to running water and electricity. Residents rely on local rivers and an inactive quarry for washing, bathing, and drinking.
Without access to clean water, Epworth struggles to implement and maintain good sanitation practices. The suburbs lack clean bathroom facilities. Human waste contaminates what little water the residents can use, including the water table and the rivers. Diseases such as cholera, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and parasites such as schistosomiasis are common. The number of infectious diseases will continue to rise if the water crisis is not averted.
Problem Addressed
Access to clean water in Epworth would resolve a multitude of hardships that the community faces. Children cannot perform well in school if they do not have access to clean water. Students cannot keep up with their studies if they are consistently suffering from water-borne illnesses, diarrhea, and stomach pains. Four percent of Epworth’s children miss school due to water-borne illnesses. A successful WASH project will allow them to attend school, perform well, and receive the education they need to lead successful lives.
Lack of clean water affects Epworth women in particular. Women and young girls retrieve water from the working borehole well, the rivers, and the quarry. The wait for the working borehole well is an average of seven hours. When they resort to retrieving water from the rivers, they travel for the majority of the day. Once they return, they must boil the water so that it is safe to use. Functioning wells would allow young girls to attend their classes and complete their education.
Functioning wells would also allow women to better care for their families as they would have more time to do so. Women in Epworth are responsible for collecting firewood and managing the gardens on which the community depends for food. Easing the strain of one task such as eliminating the need to travel for water would allow them to better complete other tasks that are necessary for their survival.
Project Description
The program is carried out as a joint venture between Water Charity & Dare to Share. The primary initiative of the program will be to construct borehole wells, bathroom facilities, and shower facilities in Epworth. Borehole wells will provide clean water. Installing solar-powered pumps will eliminate the risks involved with operating wells with a manual pump and expedite wait times. Epworth needs about two hundred wells to satisfy the population’s needs. We will hire residents to maintain and install them, thus providing community involvement by allowing locals to staff the project.
The WASH program will use a similar model to construct bathroom and shower facilities. The organization will hire local residents to construct them. Once the construction is completed on these facilities, the organization will hire local residents as staff. This will open custodial and security jobs to the community, thus providing additional economic support. Building hygienic restroom facilities will save the freshwater supply from contamination, thus protecting the community from water-borne illnesses.
Project Phases and Timeline
Borehole Well Installation
Phase One
Complete remaining unfinished borehole wells.
Hire local staff to maintain wells once completed.
Hire borehole well drilling contractors to complete the remaining two wells
Phase Two
Acquire grant funding to purchase a borehole drill rig.
Complete construction of twenty borehole wells.
Acquire necessary resources, funding, and staff to begin drilling twenty wells within a year.
Phase Three
Complete construction of two hundred borehole wells, thus fulfilling population needs.
The organization is setting a ten-year goal for phase three.
Partnership and funding will expedite the time period of phase three.
Restroom and Hygiene Facilities
Phase One
Construct one restroom facility.
The facility will include twenty-four toilets and twenty-four showers; twelve for men and twelve for women.
Hire local staff to maintain and secure restroom facilities.
Phase Two
Expand the program to construct multiple restrooms and hygiene facilities across Epworth to meet population needs.
Community Involvement
Water Charity along with Dare to Share with Zimbabwe works to design projects that are sustainable by the community. The WASH project will provide jobs to residents in these respects:
● Borehole wells: We will hire residents to assist in the construction process. The drill rig will be operated by a qualified professional contracted by the organization, but any additional labor positions will be filled by local residents.
● We will train residents on the maintenance and upkeep of the borehole wells. At the conclusion of the WASH project, residents will be able to operate and sustain their resources without outside assistance.
● Restroom and shower facilities: Will hire local employees to maintain and secure the restroom facilities once they are complete. This will provide more job opportunities to the community. The facilities will be staffed 24/7 to ensure cleanliness and security.
● Will hire residents to make bricks for the construction of the facilities, thus reducing material costs and providing more involvement opportunities for the community.
● Will provide training on how to upkeep and secure the restroom facilities. Residents will be fully prepared to sustain their hygiene resources at the conclusion of their training. Epworth’s community is eager to provide volunteers in addition to the hired staff. Also, will continue providing more volunteer opportunities as they arise throughout the duration of the project.
Preliminary Cost Estimates
Breakdown of Borehole Well Installation and Materials
Materials
Costs
Water Tanks
$1,500
Tank Stand
$1,400
Solar Pump
$500
Power Cable
$300
Polyethylene Pipe
$150
PVC Pipe
$75
Stand tubes
$250
Fittings
$250
Nylon Rope
$50
Control Box
$100
Concrete
$100
Transportation
$300
Labor
$1,000
Incidental
$25
Total
$6,000 per 1 boreholewell
Breakdown of Restroom and Shower Facility Installation and Materials
Materials
Costs
Plumbing
$20,000
Brickwork
$20,000
Labor
$10,000
Total
$50,000 per1 facility
Total Cost of Restroom and Shower Facility Project Phase One: $50,000
*Plumbing cost includes toilets, urinals, sinks, fittings, solar-powered heaters, shower heads, pipes, doors, shower curtains, and window frames.
Project Cost
Total Cost of Borehole Well Project Phase One: $12,000
Project Funding
The funds for this program have been advanced by Water Charity. Each borewell averages out to about $6k, your donation using this Donate button will ensure that we have funds available to accomplish this project. Kindly donate using the button below:
This project has been completed. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.
This project is made possible through the partnership of WATER CHARITY and Child Survival Aid Ghana.
Location
Kasunya D/A Basic school in Dagbe West District of Ghana, Africa
Community Description
Kasunya D/A Basic Schools is located Dagbe West District of Ghana. The school is very impoverished and serves a student population of about 1,200 in grades kindergarten primary through JH3 with a staff of 20 teachers. The school has no portal water and place of the toilet. This has led to a sudden decrease in pupils’ enrolment rate at the Kasunya D/A Basic Schools.
Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) remains central to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where access to these services has been recognized as a human right (General Assembly, 2010; United Nations, 2015). Goals 4 and 6 of the SDGs aim at ensuring a universal, sustainable and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene by 2030. The quest to prevent and reduce the effects of poor access to good quality facilities, led to the formulation and implementation of the WASH program aimed at ensuring proper sanitary conditions (United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF] and World Health Organization, 2016). The UNICEF Ghana & CDD-Ghana (2016) indicate that WASH is at the center of all efforts towards achieving goals 4 and 6 of the SDGs.
Problem Addressed
It is disappointing to note that in this modern age, there is no place of convenience. This is an issue to be worried about. This was one of the major concerns raised by the headmaster and the teachers of the school during our visit. They said that this has resulted in the practice of open defecation which has the potential to contribute to the people suffering from the contaminating effects of open defecation particularly children. Using a proper toilet would prevent the transfer of bacteria, viruses and parasites found in human excreta which otherwise contaminate water resources, soil and food. This contamination is a major cause of diarrhea, the second biggest killer of children and leads to other major diseases such as cholera, schistosomiasis and trachoma.
Improving access to sanitation is a critical step towards reducing the impact of these diseases. It also helps create physical environments that enhance safety, dignity and self-esteem. Safety issues are particularly important for children. Progress has not been made with the Sustainable Development Goal target on sanitation at the current rates of progress even though the Inter-governmental Open Working Group on the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals has recommended that the new goals include a target of achieving adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and ending open defecation by 2030. This is one of the reasons why the appeal to end the practice of open defecation is being made with growing insistence.
Project Description
Given the foregoing, the need for the provision of clean portable accessible water and toilet system is paramount and acute. The concept of the project has been discussed and approved by the school authorities and a piece of land has been designated for the project. The proposed project seeks to bring clean water, toilet and Sanitation systems to the school.
With the provision of this water, the project also seeks to take advantage by building a toilet/restroom system to improve sanitation. The school community will provide labor in the form of digging required trenches for laying pipes. They will also provide labor and materials for any concrete structures. This project will therefore have a dual function of providing clean water as well as a toilet facility thereby enhancing the quality of life and decreasing the water-borne disease burden from contamination from poorly disposed of public fecal matter.
OBJECTIVES & GOAL
Objectives
To promote hygiene and health care delivery
To restore hope by providing care, love and support
To promote the Sustainable Development Goals
Goal
To contribute to the Government of Ghana’s effort in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals 1, 3 and 8 by ending poverty, promoting good health and well-being and decent learning, and safe environment for these poor school children and teachers at Kasunya D/A Basic Schools
EXPECTED RESULTS/OUTCOME
By the end of the project:
Sanitation promoted
Kasunya D/A Basic Schools community provided with toilets and clean water
School Community members discouraged from the practice of open defecation
Cost Projection
Item Description
Unit Cost(GHC)
Quantity
Cost GHC(GHC)
PVC pipes for water connection
250
50 Pieces
12, 500
Cement for concrete platform raised to 15 feet to support Storage tanks/ block laying and plating works
100
100
10,000
Storage Tanks (Rambo 450 – 1000gals )
6,500
3
19,500
Piping and distribution
625
4
2500
Water closet systems
750
10
7,500
Construction of toilet block
7
3,500
17,500
Total cost of construction
1
69,500
Contingency (10% of cost)
6,950
1
6,950
GRAND TOTAL
76,450
*All monies are quoted in Ghana Monetary Denomination (New Ghana Cedi) Exchange Rate (as of 3/2/23) 1 USD = 12.25 GHC
Total Cost in USD = $ 6242
Projected Timeline
Period
Activity
February- Match 2023
Sourcing for Funding
Beginning of April. 2023
Initiation of the Project
End of June 2023
Completion of the Project
June 15th 2023
Inspection of the Project
July 2023
Commission of the Project
The funds for this program have been advanced by Water Charity. Your donation using this Donate button will ensure that we have funds available to accomplish this project. Kindly donate using the button below:
This project is made possible through the partnership of WATER CHARITY and theOKOA Hero’s Child Ministries.
Location
Iganga District, Uganda
Community Description
Iganga District in Uganda is home to a population of about 402,000 people according to City Population. Most of the people living in it are peasants who have limited access to clean water and poor sanitation facilities. Poverty still remains the significant and very critical situation for the residents. 33% of the population’s access to clean water are in the center of the district, while the rest about 67% of the population must rely on unclean sources like swamp and wells.
Picture showing a dried-out borehole in Bulamangi which used to serve more than 500 people in the village.
In rural Uganda today, 67% of people have limited to zero access to a safe drinking water source. 83% of people have limited to zero access to a safe toilet facility. 94% of people have limited to zero access to a handwashing facility. The conditions in rural areas of Iganga District have led to a rise in illnesses like diarrhea and bilharzia due to poor sanitation and hygiene practices. The local government and other humanitarian organizations have tried to provide aid but their efforts have been unsuccessful due to corruption and mismanagement whereby those tasked to deliver services end up setting up low-standard hand-pump boreholes which dry out during the dry season. Meanwhile, the suffering is increased. Recently, an 11-year-old girl drowned in the water source her family is forced to use. It is over 5 miles round trip… with the return trip carrying full Jerrycans.
https://youtu.be/WsVvCHlBwz8
Problem Addressed
A lack of access to clean water in the rural areas, has not only led to the spread of waterborne diseases, but it has also greatly contributed to school dropouts for example lack of enough water at schools and underdevelopment of the area. The poor families also struggle with early pregnancies since girl children are forced to scramble for water from open wells, where they are either raped or even enticed in sexual conduct. Another major problem is the issue of sanitation, many families in the villages of Iganga district it has been observed that they do have very poor sanitation, example lack of water to wash hands after latrine use, lack of clean water to keep personal hygiene mostly for the girl child, lack of enough water for domestic use, etc. This has overwhelmed the families from the village to seek sources of clean water, and also to struggle to prevent waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, bilharzia, and cholera.
The main target group are the most underprivileged or vulnerable in the community, for example, children and youths, school children, women, the elderly, orphans and the poor rural homes in the 25 villages of the Iganga district. Perhaps a total number of about 15,000 mothers and children (More especially the girl child) shall directly benefit from the project with emphasis on the girl-child. The age group of 4-20 years, with an interest in reducing the long distances, traveled while in search of clean water for domestic use.
The picture above shows village elders with the administration, site engineer and the village Chairman after the meeting, Iganga district
Challenges
Being a village project, there are quite a lot of challenges that the organization will meet: i.e.;
● Lack of resources by the community to contribute towards the village clean water project. Families do lack water storage utensils due to poverty.
● Poor sanitation in the community. Remoteness and a poor road network.
● Land for borehole construction
Project Description
The project is aimed at the construction of 55 Hand pump boreholes in 25 most vulnerable villages of Iganga district with the essence that at least every village has 2 hand-pump boreholes in place. Out of the 55 boreholes, 6 Hand-pump boreholes are already completed in the first phase of this program.
The project will cover 25 villages from 5 sub-counties with a population of about 20,588 according as shown in the table below:
A community water source is very central to all and especially to women in the fight against poverty and equality. However, access to clean water in rural areas of Iganga district is low. And this is so, because of several reasons. The first cause is poverty itself. Reversing this situation through charity is of paramount importance for empowering the poor, children and their families.
Water Charity has planned to support vulnerable and poor families socially by providing a community clean water source. Our main intention is to empower families, communities, and vulnerable children and youths through this project with a good standard of living ensuring an improvement in sanitation and control of disease outbreaks.
https://youtu.be/RTWQmQ8khAU
Project Administration
The village clean water project will be implemented by Okoa Hero’s Child Ministries as partners of Water Charity. With the availability of resources, the project shall be fully operational within 2 months and ongoing depending on the agreed donor time framework. The clean water source will be a man-dug well that will be fitted with a hand pump and converted into a borehole, hence turning the water source into a clean water source. Our target is that each of the 25 villages must have a fully functional 2 boreholes. The project will be carried out with direct support from the community, for example, the storage of equipment and the mobilization of community site activities. Every community member shall be entitled to contribute $0.27 per month in order to facilitate repairs, borehole staffing, and other activities such as sanitation of the water source and wastewater management.
Overall objectives
The overall objective of this project is to provide clean water to the 25 vulnerable villages in Iganga district. The specific objectives of the project are to improve sanitation;
● To increase the enrolment of children in school.
● To increase access to clean water for poor families.
● To change the standards of living of households and also improve household health. ● To improve community access to clean water and sanitation
Specific Objectives
●To enable poor families to access clean water.
● To provide the community with a clean water source.
● To allow children access clean water.
● To change the standards of living of the communities of people in the 25 villages.
● To promote good sanitation.
● To reduce the distance traveled by community members while in search of clean water.
Project Activities
This project includes different activities. These are selecting community meetings on advocacy for clean water, Construction and digging of the borehole. Provision of support to educate locals about sanitation, Constructing a 5000-liter tank water reservoir and Sensitizing children about water use mostly girls. Fencing of the borehole and planning for wastewater drainage and empowering poor families about means of storing water for domestic use.
● IDENTIFYING POOR FAMILIES IN BUKYAYE VILLAGE
The first activity of the project is the selection of beneficiaries. They will be selected from communities within Bukyaye village. A team from each community will be mobilized to make an objective selection of the poorest families in Bukyaye village. There shall be criteria to identify the most vulnerable from each of the communities in the 25 villages and the beneficiaries will be the most needy village of the community.
● DATA COLLECTION PER HOUSEHOLD.
The selected poor households will be supported through a data collection survey. During the data collection survey, we will find out which provisions need to be fulfilled for example water storage equipment, plate stale, clothing and medical expenses to enable us to design the best for them in our upcoming projects.
● PROVIDE SANITATION SUPPORT TO BENEFICIARIES.
Here the beneficiaries of this project, the poor households shall receive sanitation support including safe drinking water and skills of water storage and basic household sanitation.
● COMMUNITY MEETING (CONDUCTING MEETINGS ON WHERE TO PLACE THE BOREHOLE).
The community is the nearest body to the poor and vulnerable families and children and so they bear the responsibility to support and advocate for their collective well-being. To this end, therefore, there is a plan to conduct community representative meetings on where the man-dug well will be constructed and how to support the clean water project and care for the borehole at the community level. This will include what amount to be contributed, when to shut the water source and when to open it to the public.
● COMMUNITY MEETINGS ON ANNUAL BASIS ON HOW TO MAINTAIN THE BOREHOLE.
In order to support the village clean water project, sustainable provisions per activity have to be put in place so as to maintain the project and its objectives. To sustainably support the community, they will have to be empowered economically. To maintain the water source for different purposes like domestic use, agriculture and also animal grazing.
Monitoring and Maintenance
Monitoring will be carried out on a regular basis throughout the project. The fieldwork desk has the responsibility of providing technical support, monitoring, and evaluation. The community shall be involved from the planning phase to hand over of the project.
The community shall be involved in the selection of poor families, monitoring and evaluation of the project. The funding agency shall also monitor, evaluate and receive the financial and physical accomplishment report.
The project will be subject to evaluation on a quarterly basis. However, day-to-day monitoring of its progress will be carried out by the Project Director and the Field officer and the beneficiary community members to ensure the attainment of the project goals. Quarterly reports are to be made to confirm the proper and effective use of resources received.
EXPECTED OUTPUT
The long-term output:
● The social welfare status of poor families improved.
Short term inputs
● Poor families have access to clean water on a daily basis.
● Improvement in sanitation and nutrition of poor families. Easy access to clean drinking water by children.
● Provision of water for domestic use. Presence of water for agricultural use.
Stressed mothers in Kasolo Villages in a village meetingIn this picture, we were engaging women and girls since they are our utmost beneficiaries
Project Funding
The funds for this program have been advanced by Water Charity. Each borewell averages out to about $2k and we intend to raise $110k for this program, your donation using this Donate button will ensure that we have funds available to accomplish this project. Kindly donate using the button below:
The site engineer installing a pipe during our last phase of launching the bore hole while the beneficiaries were eagerly waitingThe photo shows Our Beneficiaries enjoying the use of the rennovated Hand-pump bore hole in Bulamanji, Kasolo villageThe above picture shows an example of a renovated Hand-pump borehole in Bulamangi Village, Iganga district
Tragic Loss of Life
A tragedy occurred at one of the villages supported by the Busoga Region Borehole Program project. On Friday, we received the devastating news that an 11-year-old girl named Nabirye Shaliwa had drowned in a nearby water well and lost her life. Our team was on site until the body was retrieved.
This is a heartbreaking reminder of why our mission to bring safe and clean water to communities in need is so important. It also underscores the urgency of our work and why we must continue to strive for success in this project.
https://youtu.be/iTCdRDgFu3Q
To read the Progress Report for the First Round, CLICK HERE. To read details about the second round, CLICK HERE.
This program is made possible through a partnership of WATER CHARITY and Ecotopia eco-hotel.
Location : Semil, Guatemala
Community Description
Semil is a small Mayan Village in Guatemala. The village has a population of close to 1800 people but there are around 12,000 indigenous Mayan people within one hour’s walking distance of the school and there is no running water or filtered drinking water in this village and most children completely lose their teeth by the time they reach puberty, because soda is cheaper than drinking water. This also means that Diabetes is running rampant throughout the village.
Project Description
The project is to install a water system that will provide a clean, sterile environment for the children, as well as the community at large.
We will be installing a water pump system that will channel water from the nearby river to the school, which will include a water filtration system that provides an access point for clean, sterile drinking water, as well as bathrooms for the local school and community. Part of this project will also include educating the children on hygiene practices using proper bathroom facilities, washing their hands, and brushing their teeth on a daily basis. We will also be sharing this water with a clinic that is under construction adjacent to the school, which will provide health services to thousands.
Currently, the focus is on providing running water and proper bathroom facilities to the local school. Step one is to install working bathrooms and filtered drinking water, which will provide an access point where people can fill up their water containers to take home.
The total cost for building this system with the bathrooms pumps & filters and labor is roughly $13,000 USD. This will be providing the tubing, installation, and filters to the clinic. The total time for construction will be roughly 90 days from the time of funding, meaning this positive impact can be achieved very quickly and with instant results.
Project Administration
Water Charity is funding the project to buy labor and materials that will lead to a positive impact on the community, especially on the lives of people & kids at school. Water Charity funds will be used to buy sand, steel and cement, as well as three running water tanks, also a water pump construction is well underway.
The project is being done in partnership with a local eco-tourist hotel called Ecotopia. It is being managed on the ground by our friend and associate John Hatch, who runs the hotel and has a very interesting crypto-funding model where people can purchase NFTs to help him do projects in the town. After the school water supply and bathrooms are taken care of, we intend to help John and Cryptopia build a health clinic next to the school. Currently, the villagers have to travel a long distance to see any medical help, and most babies are delivered in the dirt on the church floor. A health clinic with running, clean water will make a huge impact on this remote region.
Once the bathrooms are completed, the next plan is to build a proper kitchen facility for the school, as well as a computer room that will provide access to technology and the Internet, massively increasing the opportunities and resources for these children. We also plan to build a playground for the kids, and a Permaculture Garden that will allow us to teach them about building a sustainable future.
Comments This project will provide adequate sanitation facilities, allow for proper hygiene, and create a storage facility for water needed at the school.
Project Cost
In addition to the school water supply, bathrooms and immediate water tank and pump infrastructure, Water Charity is looking to help John and the village with community water taps (so they don’t have to drink soda), more sanitation facilities to discourage open defecation, and the grand prize of a fully stocked health clinic for the area. The total cost of all this will reach up to $200k USD or more, any donations we receive in excess of the costs of this project will carry over into the next project/phase.
Donations collected to Date
$0
The project has been fully funded by Water Charity. We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below.
Call To Nature Seed Preservation & Permaculture Well Project – Ghana
EXPLANATION OF THE NEED
Call To Nature’s mission is to care for the Earth, care for people, and share valuable resources by implementing permaculture principles, through farming, heirloom seed saving, and providing hands-on training related to the importance of the use of permaculture in sustaining the environment and by creating a culture that is inspired by natural ways to produce seeds and food that will resolve food instability. Their business is one of the best in heirloom seed production in Africa and the first of its kind in Ghana. The business relies on unique methods designed with nature in mind, through farming and the production of high-quality seeds and food that will eventually lead to the end of food insecurity in many parts of the continent of Africa, and other areas around the world.
The project has grown from just school gardening and tree planting and from 4 acres piece of land to 17 acres.5 years ago, they began collecting and reviving heirloom seeds across the world for our newly constructed seed bank in order to help resolve the issue of food insecurity and to tell all the beautiful stories around them from the origin, name source, and use. Their seed collection is not only focusing on food but also on plant species that help protect the environment, especially species that help protect water bodies and species when intercrop retains moisture content in the soil, so farmers can use less water for farming. The operations are currently facing a huge water challenge on site and therefore presenting their request to Water Charity for support.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
This project is to construct an 80-meter-deep borehole that will serve the seed bank, seed lab, germ center, and the seed processing unit. A 2 inches PVC pipe will be running 150 me
