675 people at Okechai Community now have safe water!

Figure 2 Group Photo Of The Water Users At The Water Source

With love and support from James and Nancy Dahlgren, 675 people at Okechai Community now have access to safe water!

Figure 2 Group Photo Of The Water Users At The Water Source
Happy water users at Okechai Community!
Before Rehabilitation

Okechai Community in Kalaki District, Uganda, is home to 675 people (388 women and 287 men). Their community borehole was drilled in 2007 with 14 pipes, but upon assessment by our local partner it was discovered that the borehole was only operating with 9 pipes – making pumping extremely difficult.

In March 2024, the borehole broke down completely. Without the funds to fix it, the women and children in the community had to walk further distances to find water. This not only affected their daily routine but also impacted their productivity and overall well-being.

Okechai Bh 3
Okechai Community borehole, before rehabilitation

During a meeting with our community partner POPOW, the community members expressed how not having access to safe water was affecting them:

Olari Augustin
Olari Augustin

 

“Competition for limited water resources leads to conflict among residents, further straining relations and cohesion. Lack of access to clean water has a significant impact on crop production and livestock rearing. Without adequate water for irrigation and animal consumption, farmers face reduced yields and economic losses.” – Olari Augustin, Local Council 1 Chairperson

 

Otai Michael Jackson
Otai Michael Jackson

 

“Reliance on contaminated water sources due to a non-functioning borehole exposes the community members to various health risks like typhoid and diarrhea…leading to a higher incidence of illnesses among the population.” – Otai Michael Jackson, Chairperson of the Water Service Committee

Alternative Sources

With no other option for water, Okechai Community relied on 3 different neighboring sources of water.

The nearest source of safe water was at Oyalem Primary School, 2 kilometers away. However, as this borehole was already serving a large student population, it was unable to meet the needs of the community.

Oyalem School Bh
The borehole at Oyalem Primary School

The community also relied on Oyalem A borehole. At this borehole, there was an open pit for excess water to drain into, which created a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects.

The third water source the community relied on was an open spring 3 kilometers away. The water here is stagnant and shared with animals. Additionally, it tested unsafe for human consumption.

Owiny
Owiny Spring, the third water source Okechai Community relied on
Community Led Solutions

We believe locals in each country we work in should not be the beneficiaries of aid, but the owners of transformation. We create strong grassroots partnerships with the community to ensure our solutions are targeted, effective and long-lasting. It is through strengthening the capacity of the local community to plan and own solutions we help implement that we raise the voices of others.

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A community in Uganda gathers to discuss their community borehole

 

2018 07 19 / 08 1 Photoserve / Surge For Water Uganda
John Peter, Chief Water Engineer in Kaberamaido and Kalaki, Uganda

Our solutions enhance the local economy by utilizing local expertise to build our solutions. This also ensures that the knowledge and skills to fix and operate our wells stays within the community.

During Rehabilitation
Figure 1 During Installation Of The Bh
Community members and water engineers work on fixing the borehole
Whatsapp Image 2024 09 03 At 17.51.45
Installing the head of the borehole pump
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Aligning the chain on the borehole during installation
The Rehabilitated Well

Okechai Community borehole is now fully functioning and brings clean, safe water to the community. The easy accessibility of water will now enable them to maintain hygiene and sanitation in their families, which will help reduce the spread of waterborne diseases like typhoid, diarrhea, and dysentery. The community now has a chance at improved hygiene, sanitation, and health!

Figure 4 Water Users At The Water Point
Community members using the newly rehabilitated well at Okechai Community

The community also shared how the well will impact their lives:

Figure 8 Igwelo Brenda
Brenda, in front of the newly rehabilitated well

 

“Before the rehabilitation of our borehole, we used to move long distances…in search for safe clean water for drinking, which consumed much of our time for home chores and agricultural production. But now…that we have water nearby, our home chores are done on time and agricultural production will now increase.” – Igwelo Brenda, 28 years old

 

“The borehole is [easy to pump] and beautiful… Thank you for rehabilitating our borehole, which will now bring peace to families that used to be full of domestic violence because women and girls had to move long distances to search for water.” – Josephine Arech, 76 years old

 

 

 

After Rehabilitation: Monitoring & Evaluation

All water sources are tested for contamination before and after construction. To strengthen community capacity for borehole management, the water service committee (3 people, encouraged to be women as they are the ones that carry the burden of water collection) is trained on borehole maintenance and ensuring proper sanitation and hygiene practices at the water point. This committee decides on a community-wide fee for using the borehole that can be used for future maintenance.

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Suzan, a former Project Officer, monitors a well in Uganda
Stamped With Love

On behalf of our local implementing partner, POPOW, and Okechai Community, we are grateful for the generosity of the Dahlgrens!

Okechai
The plaque mounted on the wall of the borehole

675 people at Okechai Community now have access to safe water. This means improved education, health, well-being, and a chance for a better future!

If you are interested in supporting a well fix, please contact us.

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