This project is made possible through the partnership of WATER CHARITY and the NATIONAL PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION. 
This project has been completed. To read about the conclusion, CLICK HERE.
Location
Akrofonso, Ashanti, Ghana
Community Description
Akrofonso is a town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, with about 1,800 inhabitants. It is an hour’s drive from Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital.
Problem Addressed
An abandoned water hole was left by a contractor who built the school next to this hole. The hole is approximately 5 feet deep and the students play inside the hole. It has standing water because of rain and contains debris from the community as well as the students. It is a home for mosquitoes and needless to say, students are often out of school because of malaria, according to the principal.
Project Description
The hole will be renovated and turned into a summer hut. The work consists of: – cleaning out and sealing the hole permanently -creating a sitting ledge around the hole -extending concrete all around the hole to prevent mud buildup due to rain -covering the entire area with a roof The community will provide unskilled labor under the supervision of an experienced contractor.
Project Impact
423 members of the student population of the primary and middle schools will benefit directly from the project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
This project will be managed by Peace Corps Volunteer Susan Fatherree. In prior Peace Corps assignments, Susan completed the Ban Nongkad School Kitchen Project – Thailand, Mbazwana Primary School Water Project – South Africa, and Mbazwana Primary School Sanitation Project – South Africa.
Monitoring and Maintenance
The improvements will be developed under the direction of, and monitored and maintained by, the school.
Fundraising Target
$1,100
Funds raised in excess of the project amount will be allocated to other projects in Ghana.
Donations Collected to Date
$1, 100
Dollar Amount Needed
$0 – This project has been paid for by an anonymous donor. Please donate for our next project in Ghana.
Conclusion of School Tank Remediation Project – Ghana
This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Susan Fatherree. To read about the start of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was designed to remediate an abandoned water hole at the school.
Susan reports:
This project took place in Akrofonso, Ashanti, Ghana. The goal of the project was to eliminate an abandoned water hole that was a safe haven for mosquitoes that caused malaria and an environmental danger for children who attended the primary and middle schools.
Akrofonso is a town, with about 1,800 inhabitants. The water hole was not only a hazard for school children, it was a hazard for the members of this community as well. Many would gather around this hole at any given time, as it was situated right in the central part of the community near a shade tree.
This abandoned water hole was left by the contractor who built the school. The hole was approximately 5 feet deep and the students played inside the hole. It had standing water because of rain and contained debris from the community as well as the students. It was a home for mosquitoes, and students were often out of school because of malaria, according to the principal.
With the funds provided by Water Charity, the hole was covered and turned into a summer hut. A contractor was hired who agreed to locate and deliver the needed materials and oversee the project. The community provided a mason and 2 roofers and students helped gather rocks to contribute to the masonry materials. The contractor had a crew come and clear out the hole and seal it with sand. The mason began the work of leveling the area and creating two seating ledges that surround an open flat surface. To prevent water build up, the entire area was covered with a roof.
The students watched the daily building of the structure which took about 2 weeks to complete and on the final day shouted, “No more mosquitoes!” The school principals on behalf of the students in both the middle and primary schools expressed their appreciation for the completion of this project.
The teachers said they use it to eat their lunches, and during outdoor time, students gather to enjoy the new space also. The teachers shared that the hole was not an urgent concern for the schools or community because so many bigger issues needed to be addressed. This water hole was never given proper attention even though it caused health problems and accidents.
Four hundred and twenty three members of the student population of the primary and middle schools will benefit directly, as well as community members from this project.
The Akrofonso community is grateful to Water Charity for the support that has made this remediation possible.
We extend our thanks to Susan for completing this important project.