Namibia

Community Description
Nkurenkuru is a growing but still small rural town, 140 km west of Rundu in the Kavango region, northeastern Namibia. It was recently awarded “town” status by the government, and has roughly 9,000 residents.

There are a number of government buildings, a petrol station, 3 small grocery stores and other assorted goods shops.

The community consists of poor rural families. They are subsistence farmers with as many as 5-10 children in one household, some of whom they can afford to send to school. Within each household there are unemployed/underemployed out-of-school youth.

Although the national water company is present in Nkurenkuru, most families cannot afford a water hookup, or they live too far away for hookups to be available.

All of these families drink water daily from the local river. This river has cows, donkeys, and goats feeding around it and drinking from it. It is contaminated with their feces and Bilharzia (parasite), among other microscopic contaminants.

The people get diarrhea, upset stomach, and parasites throughout the year. If you ask one about sickness they will say, “Ah us we are used!”

Beyond this Namibia has a 19% HIV/AIDS infection rate, with a 22% rate in the Kavango region. This means that many people in the community have HIV/AIDS, and drinking unclean water adds to the list of possible opportunistic infections and diseases.

Project Description
This project is to develop a capacity in the community to produce bio-sand filters, begin to produce them on an ongoing basis, and proliferate their use.

The project will start with a public awareness campaign, conducted by the local town council and constituency council. Its purpose will be to introduce the technology and raise an understanding of the impact that the filters can have in reducing waterborne illness.

Families will be given the opportunity to participate if they agree to a set of prerequisites. In addition to building their own filters, each family will be required to supply one worker to help in the construction of all the filters. They will also have to participate in the education and training program.

Beyond this there will be a team of 2-3 workers, unpaid volunteers, who will learn how to build the mold and construct the filters. These will eventually constitute a core of trained people with the capacity to continue to build additional filters.

The project will construct 1 or 2 wooden molds and produce as many filters as possible. The goal will be to produce at least 20 filters to start.

Project funds will be used to purchase wood and screws for the construction of the bio-sand filter mold, wire mesh and wood for sieve construction, PVC/plastic piping for filter construction, lubricant for cement/mold barrier, plastic bowls for filter diffuser plate, and cement for filter construction.

A short survey will be conducted to investigate the number, type, and frequency of water-borne illnesses in participating families.

Project family training will be conducted with each family at their homestead after they have received their filter.

A follow-up study will be conducted with each family group after a period of months to observe the initial effectiveness of the filter in preventing water-borne illnesses.

Project Impact
This project will benefit 250 people within 4 months of initiation, and will continue to serve others into the future.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Caleb Stephens

Comments
This is a demonstration project that will not only produce substantial immediate results but will also teach a vital technology and institute an important public health value in the community.

These filters will rid the water consumed by participating families of bacteria and provide the people with a better standard of living. It will have the greatest impact on those with impaired immune systems, such as people living with HIV/AIDS.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$0.00

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
$500.00

Community Description
The school is located in a rural village 70 km west of Rundu in the Kavango Region of Namibia.

Due to the lack of a latrine, teachers and learners walk up to half an hour to use the bush toilet. This current practice promotes the spread of fecal-borne diseases and also decreases the amount/quality of instruction during school hours.

Project Description
This project is for the construction of a 4-person latrine on school grounds. Work is already progressing, and the pit and 3 of 4 floor slabs have been completed.

Project funds will be used to purchase materials, including zinc oxide for the inner walls and roof, 4 PVC pipes for ventilation, 6 bags of concrete for the fourth floor slab, 4 door frames with doors, 4 pots with toilet seats, and 4 locks.

The community and school staff (1 principal/teacher, 2 teachers, and a maintenance man) will assist in the construction of the latrine. In addition the community will provide rock for the walls.

Project Impact
More than 200 people, consisting of learners, teachers, and community members, will benefit from the improved conditions created by this project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Justin Rausa

Comments
This is another example of a small project creating conditions that are certain to result in a reduction of disease. Students will learn proper hygiene, and bring the knowledge home with them.

The commitment of the community is demonstrated by the fact that they started the project, despite the lack of financial capability to proceed beyond a certain point.

This project also demonstrates the ability of Appropriate Projects to react to an urgent need. PCV Rausa will be completing his term of service very soon, and wanted to do one more project in the community before his departure. Other potential funding sources would not have been able to act quickly enough for the project to proceed.

Dollar Amount of Project
$500.00

Donations Collected to Date
$70.00

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.

Dollar Amount Needed
$430.00