By Kate Cusimano | Director of Operations
Construction has begun on our third health clinic water system, which will be delivering safe water to the health clinic and community of Guidan Jibbe in the Maradi region, which is located roughly 370 miles from Niamey, Niger's capital. Currently, the community's only water source is an unprotected, open well that the community, school, and clinic share. Water from the well is unsafe to drink and can cause death and disease. In addition to water quality issues from the open well, the quantity of water it provides is not enough to meet the community’s basic needs. Community members often must collect water from another well in a neighboring community that is primarily used to water cattle, which increases the risk of contamination.
The lack of safe water seriously impacts the ability of the healthcare providers to meet the needs of the 3,000+ people who rely on the health clinic. Without a safe water source, it is impossible to ensure proper hygiene and other infection prevention and control practices. Moreover, delivery of babies in the clinic involves a high risk of infection due to the lack of safe water on-site, which in turn makes women less likely to come to the facility to have their babies. As a result, pregnant women either choose to deliver babies at home without the assistance of a professional healthcare worker or travel longer distances to another clinic with better facilities. Both options are associated with an increased risk of infection and mortality.
Fortunately, this will all change within the next few months. Thanks to your support and the support of other Wells Bring Hope donors, the people of Guidan Jibbe and all those who access care at the clinic will benefit from a fully mechanized, solar-powered water system, which will serve the community, the local school, and the health care facility.
Thank you, as always, for your compassion in action!
By Kate Cusimano | Director of Operations
By Kate Cusimano | Director of Operations
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