Tombo Bana Community
Project Snapshot
Country: Sierra Leone
GPS Coordinates:
Latitude 8.617833
Longitude -13.171667
Impact:
Total Served: 500
Status: Completed (?)
Completion Date (or estimate): 02/14/2010
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General Information
The community of Lungi, Tombo Bana is located in the Port Loko district of Sierra Leone. The well was constructed by Oxfam but never followed up on the well. They trained two men to repair the pump but there was no money to do the repairs. The pump cylinder was damaged beyond repair. The old pump was pulled and a new Afridev pump was installed. When the well broke, the community was using the river for their water source. Most of the waterborne illnesses from the river were cholera, dysentery, typhoid and malaria. Most people in the community earn a living through farming and petty trading. There was a great unity in the community. Men were over by the pump with the team and the women and children were actively participating in the hygiene training. The community helped out with the project by providing labor. When the project was complete, the community established a point person to be the caretaker of the well. Testimony from a community member: Chief Pa Komrabai Kargbo, 55 year old chief of the village spoke with the team about the water needs. “The stream is far away and the water is not pure. I’d rather drink water from a well than a stream. Today is a very happy day for my community! Thank you Living Water International and The Water Project!”
Testimony
The community gathered with the team to pray prior to beginning any work. During the hygiene training, there was some Bible storying of the lost son. Good News bracelets were made with the children. At the dedication, the well and the pump were dedicated back to Daddy God. The Gospel was presented. There was a local pastor present for discipling. The community gave thanks to God for the new hand pump and for Living Water International and the donor, The Water Project.
Hygiene Teaching
There was a great turnout for the hygiene training. The classes were taught in combination with the
adults and children. There were 51 adults and 34 children present for the training. Fifty-one ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) spoons were distributed. Other topics included: germs/disease transmission, proper hand washing, proper care of the pump, keeping the water clean, good-bad hygiene behaviors and healthy-unhealthy communities.
Project Photos
Sponsors
42 individual donors
Sharon High School
Aylesford Baptist Church
Duane & Katrina Weaver
Country Details
Sierra Leone
- Population: 9.7 Million
- Lacking clean water: 47%
- Below poverty line: 70%
- Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; summer rainy season; winter dry season
- Languages: English, Mende, Temne, Krio
- Ethnic Groups: 20 African ethnic groups 90% (Temne 30%, Mende 30%, other 30%), Creole (Krio) 10%
- Life Expectancy: 48 years
- Infant Mortality Rate: 155 deaths per 1000 live births
Partner Profile
Living Water International
Nearly 20 years ago, we set out to help the church in North America be the hands and feet of Jesus by serving the poorest of the poor. 600 million people in the world live on less than $2 a day. 884 million people lack access to safe drinking water.
For all practical purposes, these statistics refer to the same people; around the world, communities are trapped in debilitating poverty because they constantly suffer from water-related diseases and parasites, and/or because they spend long stretches of their time carrying water over long distances.
In response to this need, we implement participatory, community-based water solutions in developing countries. Since we started, we’ve completed water projects for 7,000 communities in 26 countries.
It all began in 1990, when a group from Houston, Texas traveled to Kenya and saw the desperate need for clean drinking water. They returned to Houston and founded a 501(c)3 non-profit. The fledgling organization equipped and trained a team of Kenyan drillers, and LWI Kenya began operations the next year under the direction of a national board.
That pattern continues today; we train, consult, and equip local people to implement solutions in their own countries.
Remembering the life-changing nature of that first trip in 1990, we also lead hundreds of volunteers on mission trips each year, working with local communities, under the leadership of nationals, to implement water projects. It’s hard to know which lives are changed more—those “serving” or those “being served.”
Our training programs in shallow well drilling, pump repair, and hygiene education have equipped thousands of volunteers and professionals in the basics of integrated water solutions since 1997.
