WaterAid in Milenge (cnt'd)

Part 1: Water and Wells

When a location is selected for a well, the villagers around that site are responsible for digging he well and collecting sand and stones for the well structure. Sand and stones are available locally. The water technicians use the sand, stones, and concrete (provided b he MDC and WaterAid) to cast rings that line the hand dug well. Once the rings are lowered into the well, it is capped with a concrete slab. This is a reliable source of clean water year round for the village. To complete a well, the water technicians will also install a pump (if there is no pump, villagers lower a bucket by rope to fetch water) and cast a concrete ˝apron˝. The purpose of the apron is similar to when a baby wears an apron: it helps maintain the cleanliness around the mouth of the well b carrying water down a slope away from the mouth of the well.

Water technician starting to measure out sand. Next he will add stones, concrete, and then water.

The concrete is then poored into the ring mold. This will be left for one day and then the mold can be popped off.

This is a well that was dug and is waiting for concrete lining. The well is eight metres deep and requires 17 concrete rings!

Part 2: Sanitation Platforms

When a household is selected to receive a lartrine, the household is responsible for digging he pit for the latrine and gathering bricks, sand, and stones. For a household larine, he sanitation technicians use mud and bricks to build a sort of pyramid above the pit. Then, the technicians cast a sanitation platform (sanplat) that is placed above the pyramid. The household is then responsible for building a superstructure around the sanplat for privacy. (We also build latrines for schools, but I haven't learned too much about that yet)

Sanitation technician leveling the ground around the pit for this latrine

Sanitation technicians building a "pyramid" of bricks and will place the sanplat on top

Sanplat

Finished latrine (household built superstructure around sanplat)

Villagers make their own bricks

Part 3: Hygiene Promotion

The hygiene promoters in the wards have variety of responsibilities. They hold meetings in villages (with men, women, and children) and in schools to discuss hygiene issues in that village and promote hygienic behaviours (ie. Washing hands with soap) They also meet with village headmen, church committees, and school managers so that all of the community leaders/groups know about the WaterAid program and can help promote them. Hygiene promoters also report to Eddy, the program officer, on the progress of building wells and latrines and monitor the quality of these facilities.