Ouanaminthe Primary School is located in the town of Cite Lapaiz in Nord-Est, Haiti. 400 students attend the school, and the proposed borehole well with hand pump will be able to serve 450, according to World Health Organization.
Currently, there is no clean water access in this area. The water from this well is intended primarily for human consumption. People will collect water to care for their animals sometimes, but they will mostly use the water closer to their home which could be from a hand-dug well or surface water.
Regarding any conflict in the area, there are issues in the country of Haiti, but the conflict has not affected the work of our national team. We have stopped sending teams there but work is continuing.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The students must bring money with them each day to purchase water for the day from vendors or go looking for some. [They] never know if it’s clean water or contaminated and it’s costly. It is not uncommon for students to get Typhoid, cholera, or other waterborne illnesses from hand-dug wells and collecting water from open water sources. The younger kids have bloated bellies full of parasites. Money is spent on medical visits. The government is supposed to supply them with water, but it only comes every 3 months. The school latrine doesn’t have water to use, so the children must go behind the buildings or out into the wooded areas to relieve themselves. Women in the community must go in search of water daily too. Life is difficult.
LIVING WATERS INTERNATIONAL’S PROGRAM
Our program implementation through WASH Program Areas is unique in that it aims to bring lasting physical and spiritual development in communities through a multi-year program focused on specific regions, thoughtfully integrating and contextualizing principles of water access, sanitation, hygiene, church mobilization, gospel proclamation, and sustainability.
PROJECT DETAILS
This will be a simple project, providing the school with a new borehole well and hand pump, plus hygiene training for the students.
SPECIFIC COSTS AND FUNDING INFORMATION
Total Project Cost: $5,000
Funding Requested from Ingomar Living Waters: $3500 – covering the labor and well-drilling expenses
Costs Breakdown:
Health and Hygiene Activity
WELL MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR
Living Water International will provide training and backstopping support during the first 6 years until the local water committee and community have gather[ed] enough fees to build a reserve for funding future maintenance. Water users will pay small monthly water user fees by household, and these funds will be collected and managed by the water user committee for future repairs and maintenance of the system. The well-caregiver will be assigned and equipped to do the ongoing general care of the project.
DISCIPLESHIP
Living Water employs a pastor within each country’s staff. Their purpose is to engage with the local churches/pastors/church members, speaking about unity, spiritual growth, and how to be health advocates within their communities. Bible storying training is coordinated within the WPA at several locations and outreach evangelism events such as the Jesus film, family activities with spiritual influence, or rallies to name a few. Bibles are given out to new believers or believers who do not have access to a bible in their own language. Other pastoral trainings or pastoral fellowship activities to unit Christians throughout the WPA in sharing the gospel and uplifting believers.
FUTURE IMPACT
Once the children have access to a well at the school, they will have access to drinking water whenever they need it. The toilets will have access to water for daily use. Dignity restored. Women will collect the water near their homes, allowing them time to be with their children, plant gardens and potentially have a small business. They will no longer be spending money on medication for waterborne illnesses but instead, have extra income to buy food or other needs the family may have. Hope restored.
All projects are made possible by World Changers.