Location
Soldanesti, Moldova
Community Description
Soldanesti is a small town situated in a valley in northeastern Moldova. The scenic location is surrounded by a forest and vistas of rolling hills.
According to census data, this district capital consists of 6,278 residents and is the commercial center for the 32 surrounding villages.
The community’s main source of income is centered on local entrepreneurship through the town market and local businesses. The latter are located in the center of town, which acts as a meeting point for residents.
Soldanesti residents experience many problems due to extreme poverty. These include poor sanitation, poor water infrastructure, domestic violence, and alcoholism. For the past few years, local government and community activists have worked endlessly to the improve conditions of their community.
The town sanitation department has been re-structured to meet residents’ needs and a new social assistance center has been constructed to combat social issues.
Each week thousands of residents from Soldanesti and surrounding villages come to the center of the town to socialize and buy industrial and agricultural goods. Locally-grown fruits, vegetables and farm animals are sold in a central open-air market.
Although produce and other food products are sold here 7 days a week, the public and vendors have no access to clean water.
Project Description
The purpose of this project is to provide the center of town with access to a public running water supply. A gazebo-like space will be built in the center of Soldanesti, 75 ft from the market. Fixtures will be installed and connected to the public water supply and sewage systems.
The project plan has been approved by the district council office and will require a maximum of four weeks to complete.
An area 4 by 2.5 meters area has been selected for the project site, based on its proximity to the market entrance, where all fresh foods are sold, as well as its proximity to the underground water source that will be used for the project.
The space will include a tile base supporting a sink, water fountain, trash can and bench. The area will be shaded by a metal and plastic roof structure, but will otherwise be open-air.
Soldanesti’s Public Works Department will provide labor for the construction under the direction of Mayor Alexander Tinica and Public Works Department Manager Serafima Focsa.
Workers will install a 20 mm underground pipe from the water source to the project site, and connect it to the water fountain and sink.
A 50 mm drainage pipe will be installed and connected to the city drainage system.
Project Impact
7,000 people will benefit from this project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Katherine Rose
Comments
This project will provide vendors and their customers with a sanitary environment in which to sell and buy fresh fruits and vegetables. It will give the citizens of Soldanesti the opportunity to wash their hands and food before eating as well as provide those working and shopping at the market with potable water.
Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00
Donations Collected to Date
$500.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has now been fully funded, through the generosity of Michael Adams, of Austin, Texas, USA. The project is dedicated in honor of Katherine Rose, the Peace Corps volunteer who gives so selflessly of her time.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Katherine Rose of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Katherine and/or those of her counterpart PCVs in Moldova.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.