Clean water: Mended boreholes are a lifeline for communities
Community reports improved health, hygiene and lifestyle since clean water was introduced
Connie Akware
Since the rehabilitation of the borehole in a small village in the Imvepi Refugee Settlement in Uganda, the clinic has reported a 60 percent reduction in cases of waterborne diseases.
The community had relied on distant swamps for water, which were also used by livestock. This led to numerous health issues, diseases and even loss of life. The hot and dry climate of this area exacerbates the problem.
Alex Lemeri, a member of the village’s health team, confirmed that most children had previously been affected by diarrhoea due to the scarcity of clean water. Additionally, children often dropped out of school to help fetch water, a journey that could take up to a day.
Hygiene interventions
ForAfrika’s water and sanitation programmes aim to reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases and improve access to clean water. We therefore thoroughly cleaned and repaired an existing borehole, fixed the pump, and installed a new filtration system to ensure the water was free from contaminants. A water-user committee was trained on maintaining the borehole and practicing proper water handling and storage techniques. Education sessions were also conducted to teach the importance of hygiene and keeping water sources clean.
Within six months of the borehole’s rehabilitation, the local health centre reported fewer cases of open defecation, fewer children with diarrhoea and vomiting and a reduction in other waterborne diseases.
Kiden Rose, a mother of four, shared her experience: “Before the borehole was fixed, my children were always sick. We spent most of our money on medicine, but now, with clean water, they are healthy and happy. We have more time to work in our fields and more food. Our lives have changed for the better.”
Alex added: “Through repairing and rehabilitating existing boreholes, introducing hygiene practices, and establishing water committees, ForAfrika ensures that communities have sustainable access to water and proper sanitation. Working directly with communities in need enables us to restore dignity and overcome the daily indignities and diseases associated with water poverty.
“I cannot thank ForAfrika enough. The overall health of our community has improved. The most vulnerable children have shown significant improvement in health and school attendance. The time spent fetching water has been reduced, allowing us more time for productive activities,” he concluded.
Connie Akware is Measuring & Evaluation Assistant in Uganda
