Clean Water for Rural Villagers in Burkina Faso

Happy New Year from the BARKA team!

We are excited to share an update on our work providing clean water in rural Burkina Faso. We are on track to fund a major 20 well project in Fada N'Gourma this year. This project could not come at a more important time— the violence in Burkina Faso has created tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who need clean water. This water crisis is worst in Fada N'Gourma, and that is why we chose Fada as the site for twenty new wells.

We are thrilled to be partnering with the Rotary Foundation and the local Marblehead Rotary Club in Massachusetts on this project. The proposal for this project, which has been a long time in the making, was recently sent to the chair of the Rotary World Water Summit for feedback. With the finalization of our project template, the fundraising process among local rotary clubs worldwide can begin. We are so excited about this project because of the difference it will make in thousands of people's lives.

We are grateful for the Rotary Foundation's help. They are an amazing partner for such an important project as this one. There is also an important way for you to be involved: Rotary does not cover operational costs. That means we need your help to get this urgent project completely funded as soon as possible Your donation will help cover the costs of implementation that Rotary's budget does not allow. Please consider donating today. This project will benefit more than 20,000 internally displaced people, and they desperately need your help at this time. To learn more, click here to see the Rotary project page that will be used to collect funds from other rotary clubs worldwide. If you happen to be a rotarian, or know a local rotary club in your area, consider letting them know about this project, or contact us directly. The more, the merrier! Barka!!

In this quarterly report, we want to show you the impact our initiative with Wyoming Seminary School had on the middle and high schools of Namoungou in Burkina Faso.

Results:

• Provided home water services for the last 3 months of school for all 600 students who had no water in their homes and no funds to pay for water
• Established free school lunch program for last two months of school for all students who were having to travel miles to return home every day to prepare lunch for themselves before returning to school for afternoon classes
• Distributed 60 bicycles to students who were walking 3.5 miles to and from school two times a day
• Created a penpal exchange of letters written in English by Burkinabe French between 200 students

We are already in discussion with SEM and the Namoungou schools to determine what we can do together this coming school year. We'll keep you posted.

In separate but related water news, we met with our rotarian partner, Crystal Rotary Club in Ouagadougou to discuss the 20-well project we are currently raising funds for. The project is now officially listed on the Rotary Foundation website and the needs assessment and indicators for success and sustainability are complete!

Thank you for your support of our work in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector.

We can't do this without you!

Barka!