Provide Clean Water in Northern Uganda

Dear Lifeline supporters,

This Fall, Lifeline’s work has been marked by the power of community connection. As we continue to collaborate with individual villages to implement sustainable clean water solutions, in recent months Lifeline has also brought town councils together to implement community-wide hygiene and sanitation plans. 

Communities come together for greater WASH impact 

Progressing with GIZ’s premier WASH initiative, throughout October Lifeline program officers established School Health Clubs at primary and secondary schools across the town councils of Apac, Ibuje, and Aduku. To lead these clubs, teachers from 14 schools met for two-day training sessions to prepare lessons in handwashing and menstrual hygiene that will ultimately benefit 5,324 students.

Across the greater Apac District, Lifeline has also completed training programs with 24 Community Development Clubs since August, empowering over 866 residents to be ambassadors for village hygiene and sanitation.

Moving forward with new construction to improve clean water access, Lifeline recently commenced a spring protection project for the community of Barapwo-Te-Dam. This unprotected spring currently serves four different villages with a total population of 4,089 residents, in addition to students from the nearby University of Lira who frequent the source. This population pressure causes congestion at the water point, increasing the time local women and girls spend fetching water for their households. On October 12, Lifeline met with 7 senior community members from Barapwo-Te-Dam, including the local council chairman, to map out a technical solution that would harness the immense water capacity the spring is capable of delivering. The team devised a plan to install more taps in the spring that will enable more residents to access water at once and thereby reduce their wait time and overcrowding. In addition, Lifeline will work with the local Water User Committee enhance the community’s role in the oversight and maintenance of the spring.

On October 9^th, Lifeline celebrated 13-year-old Mercy from Agong B village and the story of her life’s transformation at a reception at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Prior to Lifeline’s work in Agong B, Mercy spent three hours a day fetching firewood and water from an unprotected spring for her family. As a result, she could not attend school and was often plagued by illnesses from the dirty spring water. Since Lifeline constructed a deep well in Agong B, over 480 villagers have gained reliable access to clean water and Mercy has more time to spend with her family, play with friends, and pursue her education.  

The reception also honored Lifeline founder Daniel Wolf and the late Capt. Benjamin Sklaver of the ClearWater Initiative for their contributions to improving clean water access across Northern Uganda. Over 100 friends, family, and Lifeline supporters gathered to hear Mercy’s story, raise awareness for villages afflicted by water-borne disease, and share the success of Lifeline’s beneficiary communities.

Lifeline’s community development, WASH, and stove initiatives would not be possible without the help of our donors. As we conclude 2016 and look forward to new programs and partnerships in the year ahead, we are thankful for your engagement and generous support.

Apoyo Matek! (“Thank you!”)

- The Lifeline Team