By Julie Cole | UK Fundraiser
For many months now, HOPE staff have been facilitating the building of a life-changing water system for the village of Chano Dorga. This is one of HOPE's largest projects to date, with the spring 14.3km away from the two new water tanks.
As promised, the community has been very busy providing much of the labour required to build the 15 water points, 10 wash basins and dig the lengthy pipeline that will deliver the water from the newly capped springs to the community. Initial training has taken place for the 53 water management association members that were elected at their first community meeting led by HOPE staff and 10 water caretakers are being also being trained on how to mend the water system when any potential problems emerge and regular maintenance is required. This has got the whole community buzzing with energy about the upcoming changes that will revolutionise this village. No longer will their arduous 3-4 hour walks for water be necessary and instead, children will have time to attend school and their parents will have time to earn needed money for their families.
In addition, 19 self-help groups have been formed and 380 women are now meeting regularly (in groups of 20 each) to save money, support one another and to receive training on starting their own small businesses. Training days have been devoted to the themes of entrepreneurship, leadership and the essential principles of saving and lending money for small business start-ups.
Work is still ongoing, however before the exciting day when the new taps spread throughout the village will be turned on for the first time. After construction began, it became apparent that the second spring capping planned to feed into this large system was going to be more complicated and time-consuming than expected. This has required more specialist HOPE staff time and also has involved the local government in negotiating with the surrounding villages about obtaining access to that second spring for work to take place. It is anticipated that the final 2 km of pipeline will be laid from that spring and the work completed before the end of April.
We look forward to passing on the good news that the water system is in full operation. However, I am certain that our excitement does not compare with the long-awaited anticipation of this community of 3,942 people who profoundly know the difference that clean water will make to their daily lives and future!
Thank you for supporting this life-changing project of working with a community to bring them access to one of life's essential needs. We will continue to keep you posted on the progress of this project as latrine building, health education and livelihood training continues and the benefit of clean water is fully realised.
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"Thank you HOPE for this gift of clean water!", exclaimed a community leader. We share their deep appreciation with you, our generous supporters.
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