Report: Safe Water for a Healthy Life II

CARE has successfully established a water distribution network connecting 42 households in the community and benefiting 482 people. The network has been implemented and financed with support from community members.By the end of May 2008, CARE had rehabilitated the community water supply system, including a well, pump and generator. The system pumps water from the source to the water tanks that supply households. The original well was 20 meters deep, and CARE extended it down three meters further in order to guarantee enough water for 24-hour access. The generator for the water pump was replaced with a new one with the capacity to pump the water more than 150 meters above the pump itself.

In addition to infrastructural improvements,
behavioral change strategies in sanitation are very important to ensuring long-term
improvements in the health of residents. To promote this change, CARE hired a hygiene specialist who stayed in the community for 10 days and trained residents on safe hygiene practices. Both men and women participated in the training, which consisted of three days
of instruction and a week-long clean-up
campaign in the village. During the
campaign, men, women and children cleaned their homes, collected garbage from public areas and learned about safe water handling, food preparation and other important hygiene practices. Additionally, 70 water filters were
distributed and recipients were trained on how to use and maintain them. The community formed a committee for follow-up activities and set a schedule for a two-day clean-up each month. A common fine was agreed upon as a penalty for anyone who did not act in accordance with the new environmental practices.