This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Maya Rao. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
This project was to build two wells for public use by the community and to carry out health education targeted at mothers and children concerning proper hygiene, sanitation and disease prevention.
Maya reports:
The project’s goals were to improve access to clean water and to decrease the prevalence of diarrheal diseases and schistosomiasis in the community of Antsikory, especially among children.
The objectives of the project were to build two wells, and to train the community on proper hygiene and other preventative measures against diarrheal diseases and schistosomiasis.
The community successfully met the objectives of the project, as the two wells were completed and the community leaders were trained on proper hygiene practices and strategies for avoiding water-borne illnesses and basic treatment for people with diarrheal diseases. With this knowledge and improved access to clean water, the community is now empowered to reduce the risk for water-borne disease outbreaks.
Through the collaborative work of the Antsikory and Antsirabe Nord women’s groups, the partnership, cooperation and communication between the two organizations has been strengthened, thereby encouraging women’s groups in neighboring communities to work together.
Community leaders and members of the Antsikory women’s group (30 women and 20 men) acquired health and hygiene skills, such as handwashing and methods of cleaning water, to help prevent against diarrhea and schistosomiasis by attending the health training with the PCV. They will hopefully pass on the information to the rest of the community.
Through the process of seeking and collecting funds and purchasing materials for the well project, women’s groups further developed money management and fundraising skills as well as a sense of ownership and responsibility for the two community wells.
A group of five people living adjacent to each of the wells has been appointed by the Antsikory women’s group to monitor the well usage and ensure the cleanliness and longevity of the wells. Those responsible have a key to the well covers, and will unlock the covers in the morning and close the covers at night to reduce the chance of contamination and to prevent against theft and defacement of the wells at night.
The Antsikory women’s group will contact with the Antsirabe Nord women’s group if in need of assistance gathering additional funds for future repairs and maintenance of the wells. The wells however do come with a one-year guarantee from the well builders. Any necessary repairs within the first year will be free of charge.
We are grateful to Maya for completing this project, and again wish to thank The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust for providing the funds for the Water Charity participation in the project.
