Sierra Leone (MNN) — This year, Living Water International is rehabilitating more
than 100 wells in Sierra
Leone, where many open wells are
contaminated by surface water during the rainy season.
Sierra
Leone’s sanitation is poor, and its water
table is high. So surface water transports all kinds of filth and debris into
the wells. As a result, many people contract
diarrhea and cholera – often fatally. Water-related
disease is the single largest killer of infants in developing countries. Sierra Leone, according to UNICEF, is
one of the worst places on earth to be a child.
Life is changing, however, in places like Calaba Town. Dr. Charles Kimbe, community health officer
of Calaba Town, diagnosed 50 cases of cholera in
2007. In 2008, the town has not had a
single case of cholera!
LWI-Sierra Leone is currently rehabilitating its fifth open
well in Calaba Town, and plans are in place to rehabilitate two
more. Wells and hand pumps often break
down shortly after they are installed, but LWI works differently. It establishes long-term relationships with
villages, keeping the wells maintained and involving the villagers in the
process.
Yams Farm is one community that had working wells for a few
months until they broke. Now, the
community has no water during the dry season, and its water during the rainy
season is filthy. LWI is installing at
least three new hand pumps for Yams Farm.
LWI has been addressing the global water crisis for 17
years and has directly implemented more than 5,000 water projects. It plans to repair at least 1,000 more wells
in the year 2008.
For $2000, you can help restore clean water for a village in Sierra Leone.
