Location
Bua Sawang Sub-District, Pananikom District, Sakon Nakhon Province, Thailand
Community Description
The Sakon Nakhon Province is located one hour south of the Laos Border. Geographically, Bua Sawang is located in North-Eastern Esan, which is the central Eastern region of Thailand. It is an arid region that is primarily flat rice fields, with poor soil.
Because of the arid conditions only one crop is raised per year. This is one of the poorest areas of Thailand, and the people have very limited resources.
The Ban Bua Yai Pre-school serves the community of Ban Bua Yai (population 680) and Ban Bua Noi (population 246). This community is located in the center of the sub-district and is a model for the other four pre-schools. The school serves the children and also serves as a meeting hall for the community.
The groundwater, which the school currently uses for hand washing/toilet, is not safe for the children to drink. The latest water tests show E Coli and Cholera levels 276 percent higher than is acceptable for drinking. The village has received official notification from the sub-district office that the water supplied from the community well is non-potable and should not be used for drinking.
Rainwater runoff from the roof of the schoolhouse is captured and stored in vessels for use as drinking water for the school. However, the area can go months without rain, resulting in the water becoming stagnant and unhealthful.
Project Description
This project is for the installation of a water filtration unit at the Ban Bua Yai Pre-School.
The selected system, the Everpure H-1200 system, uses a micro-filtration system and a bacteriostatic system, and is advertised to eliminate 99.9 % of microbial agents. It is widely used in the area, and recommended by local experts for its effectiveness.
In particular, it is designed to remove, lead, cysts (such as Giardia and Cryptospridim), bacteria, volatile organic chemicals, MTBE, chlorine, dirt, and cloudiness.
The system has a 1/2 gallon/minute flow rate and each filter can process 1000 gallon of water. The system is easy to maintain and the cartridges are easily replaced.
Under the direction of the Sub-District Administration Office (SAO) of Bua Sawang and Teacher Kanitta Sornwongsa, the system, piping, and fittings will be purchased locally using project funds. In addition, local labor will be hired for the installation.
The SAO will make up any differences in the budget with in-kind donations of labor.
Project Impact
This project will benefit 37 people (two teachers and 35 students) at the school, and 50 community members per month who come to the school for community meetings.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Greg Patterson
Comments
This project will help improve the general health of children, staff, and community members who use the school. The community, school, and local government office have committed the project, ensuring timely completion and sustainability.
Dollar Amount of Project
$465.00
Donations Collected to Date
$465.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded through the generosity of The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Greg Patterson of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Greg and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.