$301 to $400

Community Description
Didieni is a town of 6-7,000 people along the main road. It is a stop for travelers and truck drivers headed to Kayes, Senegal, and Mauritania. It has a lot of ethnic diversity, with Bambara, Peulh, Moors, and Mande people co-existing peacefully.

There is a mayor's office, a local health center, schools (up to the ninth grade), many women's associations, and several NGOs.

Unfortunately, there is a great deal of waterborne illnesses and malnutrition. As it is on the border of the Sahel, water is often in short supply. Current water sources are at a significant distance from the town.

The Peulh (a nomadic ethnic group) section of Didieni has a major water shortage, and has been seeking to build a large diameter well for 15-20 years, but until now has been unable to find financial assistance.

The project finally began with a groundbreaking ceremony, which included PCV Amanda Misiti as well as the village chief's representative, the mayor, and the head of the police, as well as many of the organizers of the project.

The work started in May, 2010, but the diggers encountered rock, which slowed the project down, and raised the cost above the financial resources of the community.

Project Description
This project is to complete construction of the well in Didieni. The work is being done by a team of skilled well diggers.

The well is of 1.5 meters diameter, and will be dug to a depth of between 15 and 25 meters, depending on the difficulties encountered in the digging. Water has been encountered at a depth of 10 meters.

The well will be covered and the top portion will be reinforced with cement. The water quality should be good, but it will still be treated with bleach, and shocked every month. Additional bleach will be added to the family drinking containers.

Funds remaining after the well construction will be used to construct two animal troughs and a wash area where women will be able to wash clothes.

The well offers many health and economic benefits to the community. It will be used for drinking water, to give water to the many livestock that belong to the Peulh people, to wash clothes, to build bricks to construct houses, and for women's gardens.

The community is providing 36% of the total construction costs, most of which is in cash, some of which is in-kind.

Project Impact
This project will benefit 2,000 people in 150 households.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Amanda Misiti

Comments
This project is a good example of Water Charity’s commitment to “finish” projects. Here we have a much-needed project, with a large community commitment, that has been years in the planning. It reached a point where it was close to being achieved, only to run into a frustrating barrier.

The well will improve the overall health of this section of the community, as they currently suffer from water shortages during the hot season and have poor quality water.

In addition, the well will give the women the ability to garden, allowing them to have access to vegetables, thereby decreasing malnutrition and offering them a source of income.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$100.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$400.00

Community Description
The Hamlet Chuipoj, municipality of Santa María Visitación, department of Sololá, is located to the south of its municipality and to the west of its department. It is 4 kilometers from its municipality, 44 km from the capital department, and 164 km from the capital city.

The climate is cold. The 85 people living in the community are indigenous, and speak K’iche’ and Spanish.

This community has been affected by the war conflict during the 1980s, at which time there were many deaths, and migration to other areas.

16 years ago, the community reincorporated. The Official Co-Ed Rural School of the Hamlet Chuipoj, which had been closed from 1980 to 1994, was reopened.

The current latrines at the school are positioned such that there can be contamination of the food prepared by mothers for the school snack. Unsanitary conditions cause respiratory and diarrhea infections in the children.

The community and the school have been trying to raise funds to alleviate the unhealthful condition of the latrines for over 2 years.

Project Description
This project is to build 3 flushable toilets and a septic tank for the school.

The project will utilize the structure of the existing latrines, resulting in a large cost savings.

The improvements and the accompanying health education program will qualify the school for recognition under the U.S. Peace Corps Healthy Schools program.

Project funds will be used to purchase materials.

Contributions have been obtained from the municipality, community, local organizations, teachers, and students.

Project Impact
This project will benefit 85 people, consisting of the 35 students and the remainder of the community with access to the facility.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Rosie Conklin

Comments
This is a basic project that will provide much-needed facilities for the use of the school. The improved sanitation will yield a health benefit, and serve as a focal point for hygiene training.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$206.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$294.00

Community Description
Mumana Lupando village is located in the Northern Province of Zambia, 85 kilometers west of Kasama, the provincial capital.

The Kasolo section water source in Mumana Lupando provides water for Mumana Lupando Basic School, as well as approximately 40 households. It is located roughly in the middle of the village, 1 kilometer from the main Kasama-Luwingu Road.

Mumana Lupando is a rural village with approximately 3,000 residents. There are two boreholes (pump wells) in the village, although neither has been functioning for four years. Instead, citizens rely on three open wells distributed throughout the community.

The Kasolo section water source is an open spring. It is located downhill from the population, so in the rainy season, a lot of run-off causes contamination by fecal matter and other pollutants.

There are people in the community who are HIV-positive or have otherwise compromised immune systems, and also many young children. This creates a critical need for clean water.

Project Description
Project funds will be used to remediate a previously used water source that is on slightly higher ground, about 15 meters away from the current open spring. This will be accomplished by digging the well deeper, lining it with stones and cement, and covering it with a cement cap.

In addition, a bucket, windlass, and rope will be affixed above the cap. Finally, a one meter circle of cement will be built around the well hole, and a traditional pavilion will cover the area.

Community meetings and a door-to-door education campaign have already been initiated to sensitize of the community on the importance of clean water.

Project Impact
This project will serve approximately 250 people.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Nikki Barren

Comments
Unsafe water is used by the community because existing conditions make it the only water available. An inexpensive fix has been developed that will provide needed clean water. This creates a very high impact for the large number of people who will benefit from the project.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$100.00

ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW

Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you "naming rights", if that is something you would like.

Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.

Dollar Amount Needed
$400.00