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Village Clean Water Projects - Ghana, Africa
We believe that one of the greatest differences we can make in Africa is in providing sustainable access to local, clean water. As you read the real life success stories below, you will clearly understand why and how we undertake village water projects, and you will also discover how you can easily help to save and improve lives through the gift of clean water.WHY WATER?:Because there is a lack of clean water in most rural villages in Africa, water-borne and water-based diseases are the primary cause of preventable illness and premature deaths in these villages, with children being particularly vulnerable. In addition, during the dry season, hundreds of collective hours are spent each month in transporting this unclean water, by hand, to the villages; this same time could be spent doing more productive activities, such as attending school or growing crops. The partnership effort to install a bore hole with hand pump in each village immediately improves the health and well-being of everyone in the village, even saving lives. In addition to health benefits and resulting increased productivity, the local water source allows for a reallocation of time toward more productive activities, as well as increase the growing season of crops by 25% per year through irrigation. It can also provide a source of revenue that will be used to increase the quality of life in the village, including education, medical care, and access to technology. Yes, clean water makes an extraordinary difference. But it isn't just about water. It is about community development, empowerment and sustainability.
WHAT IS A BORE HOLE?Clean ground water can be obtained in villages with a hand-dug well or a bore hole well. Hand dug wells are holes in the ground that have been dug with shovels, then either left open or covered with concrete, allowing for a bucket on a rope to be dipped into the water through a hole. When the water table is too deep to reach by hand digging, or when the water becomes contaminated from the bucket, a bore hole is required to access clean water. Bore holes are drilled deep into the ground (85+ meteres) using motorized equipment, in the location that hydrogeological surveying indicated was likely to contain underground water. Pipes are then installed into the hole to protect the water, a concrete pad is installed over the hole, and a hand pump is installed to allow clean water to be brought to the surface.
HOW WE WORK: We are always prepared to undertake the next Village Water Project, and invite sponsors, like you, to contribute to financing as many bore holes as possible! In addition to the 5% that villages must raise and contribute to the project, the precise process of bringing clean water to rural villages in West Africa through bore holes costs about $6,500 USD per bore hole and includes:
- hydrogeological surveying to determine the location of ground water
- transport of rig and drilling of bore hole
- installation of pipes, walls, foundation and hand pump
- training of village water committees on how to use and maintain the pump
- on-site project supervision
- post-installation follow up and community development training
- and all labor and materials
Current Water Projects Underway
The Village of ChansheguIntroduced to us by Jana Capps of GRAACE, Chanshegu is a village in Northern Ghana, near Tamale, in dire need of clean water. Initially, we set out to provide a bore hole for Chanshegu, but discovered through local WatSan experts that 3-4 prior bore hole drilling attempts were unsuccessful. We opted to do geophysical surveying once more in order to determine the likelihood of finding ground water. Results were encouraging enough to warrant one more attempt; we knew that the outcome couldn't be guaranteed, but would be fruitful whether water was found or not because of two reasons:
1) If we find water, we can complete the bore hole, which is the least expensive way to provide reliable, clean water to this community.
2) If we don't find water, we can be certain that "Plan B" is the only option for Chanshegu.
The drilling attempt, in June 2010, found no ground water. However, this faithful failure opened the door to success through Plan B. Within days of our drill attempt, we were told by our service provider that, "…UNICEF has given a firm commitment to FULLY fund the extension of the Tamale Water System to Chansegu under their ongoing Project in the Northern Region."
Plan B is now underway, which constitutes getting Chanshegu included in a UNICEF-funded water project in the region. This will pump treated municipal water from Tamale to Chanshegu, providing clean water year-round. Africa Heartwood Project will continue to follow up and provide support to ensure a successful outcome for Chanshegu.
Images from Chanshegu Village
The Village of Kwesibudu
Kwesibudu is an agricultural village of about 250 people, currently in the process of saving their financial contribution of 300 GHS (about $250 USD). This bustling community showed great enthusiasm at the prospect of getting a bore hole in the near future, and committed in earnest to contribute and begin preparations in February 2010. They have already received a hydrogeological survey to determine the location of clean ground water. As soon as they have provided their portion, we anticipate having donated funds in place to finance the project. If you wish to sponsor this project, please contact us and we'll provide a status update.
Images from Kwesibudu - Feb 2010 - Pre-bore hole
Successful Water Projects Completed
Six Bore Holes, 2009-2011
The Village of SethokaiSethokai is a village in the Central Region, in the Kwanyaku district. This community had two semi-functional hand dug wells which were not sufficient to serve the needs of the people who relied on them. While the water was clean enough, it dried up for about 4 months of the year, leaving residents to fetch water by hand from a long distance. It was less expensive and more effective to drill a new bore hole rather than attempt to deepen the hand dug wells, seal them off, and install a hand pump. Sethokai saved a portion of their funds and opened their Community Watsan Bank Account, and geophysical surveying was done in Spring 2010. Drilling began in late May 2010, but because of the kind of sediment in the area, and the heavy rains, a “mud pump" was required; drilling was postponed until more favorable conditions were found in the region. On January 19, 2011 the drilling was successfully completed, with concrete pad and hand pump installed in February 2011, and Commissioning June 3, 2011. This project was fully funded by an anonymous foundation. Photos forthcoming.
The Village of Adarkrom
Adarkrom is a small community located in Ghana's Central Region that had saved their funds in order to provide maintenance for a bore hole they hoped to get one day. After meeting with village elders and community stakeholders, Africa Heartwood Project undertook geophysical surveying on January 20, 2011. On January 28, the bore hole was successfully drilled with concrete pad and hand pump being installed in February, 2011, and Commissioning June 3, 2011. A private donor provided funding to cover this project. Photos forthcoming.
The Village of Kofi Tabrikrom
Angelic Connections Water Project financed a complete bore hole project for village Kofi Tabrikrom (Otopaase #1) in 2011 with donations from drummers, dancers, and friends in the Ogden/Layton, Utah community. Opening donations were sent to Ghana in January 2011 to cover the geophysical surveying, with successful bore hole drilling completed on January 25th. On April 11, 2011 the bore hole was fitted with a hand pump, thus providing clean water for the community. Commissioning was completed June 3, 2011.
The Villages of Ogyanhyewano and Akromakwaa
Ogyanhyewano and Akromakwaa are two small rural farming communities which now share the same centrally located bore hole. In developing a relationship with the great people of these villages, they were found to be very eager and willing to do everything they could to contribute to the financing and success of the project. The assurance of reliable and clean water improved the health of children and adults, as well as increasing productivity and education. These communities are the beneficiaries of the awesome efforts of the kids and teachers of the Wildcat Water Project, culminating around July 2010. Surveying was done in April 2010, with drilling and concrete work done in July and August, 2010. The hand pump installation was completed on Sept 1, 2010, with Commissioning done June 3, 2011, marking the successful completion of this Village Water Project.
Ogyanhyewano means "fire burn your mouth" which is a Guan proverb reminding one not to talk too much.
Images from Ogyanhyewano and Akromakwaa- Feb 2010 - Pre-bore hole
Photos from Ogyanhyewano Hand Pump Installation on Sept 1, 2010
The Villages of Alantaso and Krobidasiwakyi
Alantaso and Krobidasiwakyi are rural villages in Ghana's Central Region which were given assistance in their quest to establish a reliable, all-season water source to provide clean underground water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and irrigation. Thanks to local support at the World Music Benefit Concert I in Salt Lake City on March 20, 2009, the bore holes were successfully installed on June 13, 2009. All residents of Alantaso and Krobidasiwakyi villages are now drinking clean water from the hand pumps in their own communities! They send their thanks to all who have participated in this wonderful endeavor. Donations received and funds raised at the Benefit Concert were not sufficient to cover the full amount of the bore hole installation, so your continued donations are needed to repay the small bridge loan provided interest free by DjembeDirect.com. When these bore holes are paid off, we'll begin earmarking donations for the next villages in line for our Clean Water Project support.
Fundraising Video for the Alantaso Water Project, 2009: visit: www.afronet.dxn.hu for a free healthy coffee!
Afronet: What you should know about Africa!: Africa is a huge continent and so diverse in its scenery,Just take a look and see all the different animals that exists in all the different areas and observe the areas and the people around.
Africans are very patience and determined.Africans have the believe that gradual change is the only lasting change that will endure a long trial.
Nigeria is the most populated in Africa.With the present situation of things Nigeria is heading to the right direction.And if only Nigeria can stick to the path its heading by allowing the right mind to take the right position,anyone in any position be accountable for whatever blonder he/she makes.Other African nations will benefit so much from an example of such.
Living in Nigeria is heaven a lot of Nigerians and hell for some due to lack of infrastructures.Some of these infrastructures exist in many parts of Nigerian and enjoyed by many.
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