Water Project - Sangmélima, Cameroon
Our team worked with the Alfred and Sarah Bilingual Academy in Sangmélima, Cameroon, to develop a clean, reliable water source for students and the surrounding community. The water well benefits not only the 300+ students at the Academy, but the surrounding village of 2,000. Until recently, the community relied on springs and open-faced wells for water, all of which were found to be contaminated with harmful bacteria that can cause waterborne illness. In December 2016 and January 2017, our team traveled to Sangmélima to construct a sanitary hand-dug well. Currently, the well is outfitted with a hand pump that allows community members to manually draw safe drinking water.
Having a safe source of drinking water is a game-changer for students at the academy, as well as the community at large. Students are no longer forced to choose between traveling long distances for water--which can cut into their learning time--and risking drinking contaminated water. Reducing the incidence of waterborne illness means students can spend more time in school, improving their prospects for a successful future. Ultimately, our goal was to help break the cycle of poverty in the community by increasing the general health of its residents, thus increasing the opportunities available to them. At the end of our partnership in the Fall of 2017, the well had helped to accomplish this goal for the community, and we are excited to see how it impacts the community members' futures.
Having a safe source of drinking water is a game-changer for students at the academy, as well as the community at large. Students are no longer forced to choose between traveling long distances for water--which can cut into their learning time--and risking drinking contaminated water. Reducing the incidence of waterborne illness means students can spend more time in school, improving their prospects for a successful future. Ultimately, our goal was to help break the cycle of poverty in the community by increasing the general health of its residents, thus increasing the opportunities available to them. At the end of our partnership in the Fall of 2017, the well had helped to accomplish this goal for the community, and we are excited to see how it impacts the community members' futures.
Check out more photos from our trip in the Gallery.
Installing the Well
The project consisted of two assessment trips and one implementation trip to Sangmélima. Implementation was successfully completed in 2016.
During assessment trips in 2014 and 2016, our team sampled local water sources to gauge the urgency of the project, surveyed potential well sites, interviewed contractors, and taught hygiene and women's health programs to members of the local community. Another important aspect of these trips was building relationships with community leaders.
During the implementation trip in 2016, our team worked alongside members of the community to complete the installation of the well and hand pump, which was started by a contractor before arrival. Our team worked with the Water Committee—a group composed of community representatives—to establish policies to ensure the proper upkeep and sanitation of the well. The team also continued to teach classes on hygiene and health during the trip.
The completion of the well was a major victory for the community. For the first time, residents now have easy access to clean drinking water.
During assessment trips in 2014 and 2016, our team sampled local water sources to gauge the urgency of the project, surveyed potential well sites, interviewed contractors, and taught hygiene and women's health programs to members of the local community. Another important aspect of these trips was building relationships with community leaders.
During the implementation trip in 2016, our team worked alongside members of the community to complete the installation of the well and hand pump, which was started by a contractor before arrival. Our team worked with the Water Committee—a group composed of community representatives—to establish policies to ensure the proper upkeep and sanitation of the well. The team also continued to teach classes on hygiene and health during the trip.
The completion of the well was a major victory for the community. For the first time, residents now have easy access to clean drinking water.
About the Community
The Rural Women Development Association (RUWADA) headed by Minlo Hanna N-Mokake (Ma Hannah) has mobilized the community and reached out to the district officials and local nobles to gain support for the project. They have established a Water Committee to track use, collect dues, and ensure periodic maintenance of the well and testing of the water. During our first assessment trip, Ma arranged for our free lodging at a local boarding high school, and the RUWADA provided meals for us during our stay. During our second assessment trip, Ma hosted us at her own house and provided meals for us. The community has committed to aiding in the construction of the water source through providing labor and contributing 5% of the cost of the well to signify their commitment to the project.