Camaté -Shakaloke Pump Project – Benin

Location
Camaté -Shakaloke, Benin

Community Description
Camaté -Shakaloke is in a beautiful part of Benin with large, tree- and farm-covered hills. It is located in the center of the southern quarter of Benin, about five miles to the northeast of Dassa, the nearest large city.

It can be described as a poor rural West African village. There are two primary revenue-generating activities in Camaté: One is breaking rocks by hand to sell to construction projects and the other is farming.

There are only about 2000 residents, split into two different neighborhoods, and the community is not located within a reasonable walking distance to the nearest large city.

Very few people have water faucets connected to municipal water sources outside of their houses, and even fewer have running water inside their homes. Even those are regularly turned off and not working during the dry season. That leaves the overwhelming majority of residents completely dependent on the water pumps in the village.

There are also many spaces in village where gardens used to thrive, but due to lack of water, residents are forced to abandon those projects.

There are four water pumps interspersed throughout the village, but three are non-functional. Residents are forced to wait in very long lines for the only working pump, especially during the dry season. The burden for water collection falls primarily on young children and women.

Project Description
This project is to repair three non-working pumps in the village.

After the pumps are fixed, the Mayor’s Office will collect a small tax on the water used, and thereafter use the revenue for upkeep, maintenance, and repairs.

The pumps will be fixed by a team of individuals, consisting of one technician and four apprentices, from the Mayor’s Office.

A ceremony will be scheduled by the two Chiefs of the Village upon completion of the project. Information will be disseminated about the proper use of the pumps to extend their useful life. In addition, health and safety techniques will be taught on such topics as covering open water sources, positioning water drainage to minimize standing, unused water, and keeping water clean enough to drink.

Project funds will be used for the materials to repair the water pumps.

The Village and the Mayor’s Office will provide all of the labor for the project.

Project Impact
2,000 people in the village will gain access to clean, dependable water.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Anthony Uhl

Comments
This project achieves tremendous impact from a small amount of funding, as it utilizes what is in existence, and makes it functional. Clean and continuous water will be available in adequate quantity to serve the needs of the village.

Hours of traveling great distances and standing in line will be saved by having a sufficient number of pumps conveniently located for the needs of the people.

Sustainability has been built into the project, as users will be charged a nominal amount, and the government agency has assumed responsibility for upkeep.

Dollar Amount of Project
$343.74

Donations Collected to Date
$343.74

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of Thomas Dawson, of Madison, WI, USA.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Anthony Uhl of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Anthony and/or those of his counterpart PCVs in Benin.




This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.