The well repair and maintenance training for thirty villages with an average population of 250 people per community, was executed with the aim of ensuring that water supply is maintained. After the training of the pump technicians, a total 10 were repaire
Narrative
Good quality and sufficient of water is very essential for life. A good number of Sierra Leoneans especially those in the rural communities are without access to quality water supply and so do not have access to safe drinking water. The water quality in improved water supply systems often is also affected from unreliable operations, poor hygiene practices and lack of maintenance. The water is subjected to secondary contamination during collection, transportation, storage and usage. The poor public health condition in developing countries like Sierra Leone can abruptly lead to the dramatic spread of epidemics. Cholera for example remains a risk for such epidemic outbreaks.
Adequate water treatment methods and avoidance of secondary contamination of drinking water, combined with hygiene promotion, are required to prevent the population that are with or without access to safer drinking water. This will minimize the number of illness and death rate among our population. Washing hands with soap and clean water is a simple act that can reduce diarrhoeal and many other disease transmissions. Promotion of household water-treatment methods should therefore always be combined with hygiene training
Therefore, the water and sanitation Department of the Safer Future Youth Development Project is relentlessly engaged in the promotion of Technical knowledge in Pump Installations, Repairs and Maintenance in the rural communities. It also promotes Hygiene education, Sanitation and other household water treatments technology.
An assessment survey, to select targeted beneficiary communities, was conducted.
1.1 Survey
A random survey was conducted in a total of 100(hundred) communities in both the Lokomasama, Masimera and Koya chiefdoms in Port Loko District in September 2008.
Trained and qualified members of our staff used well-designed Survey forms to collect data on the health status, Water Source, Water Consumption and treatment practices, Health Habits and Hygienic behaviour from the different communities.
The team met with Headmen/Chiefs, heads of schools, medical personnel in charge of community Health Centres and villagers to discuss issues concerning the water and hygiene situation and health condition of their communities.
1.2 Training Workshops
Three workshops were organized – One: to train the four (4) selected persons for Pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance for the Chiefdom, Two: Pump Caretakers Training for 30 selection communities and Three: Refreshers’ Training for Pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance Technicians.
-Pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance Training
After thorough consultative meetings with the Paramount Chiefs and their local Authorities in the various chiefdoms, the Masimera chiefdom was selected out of the three chiefdoms (Koya, Lokomasama and Masimera). This was because other NGOs were doing same implementing the same kind of project at that particular period. To avoid duplication of effort, the project was relocated to Masimera Chiefdom in Port Loko District.
The chiefdom authorities for the training of Pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance Technicians selected Four (4) young men. The participants’ training was done in Royiben a Community that was selected and agreed upon by all.
The training was in both theory and practical. Two days was used for the theoretical training while, four day was used to gain practical knowledge. During the practical trainings, a total of three (3) pump that were not in good working order were repaired and maintenance and one (1) Pump Installation was done
The practical training was done in three (3) different communities
1. Ahmadiyya Primary School - Konta line
Population: 320
GPS Location: N= 08°, 28’. 272”
W=012°, 32’. 495”
2. Royema Bana Village
Population: 1,700
No of Houses: 150
GPS Location: N=08°, 31’. 568”
W=012°, 33’. 530”
3. Magbengbeh Village
Population: 510
No of Houses: 59
GPS Location: N=08°, 33’. 027”
W=012°, 34’. 491”
-Pump Caretakers Training
From the 30 selected communities, trained technician’s assisted local authorities in each of the community in the selection of two (2) representatives for the Pump Caretakers Training for the selected communities.
Since most of the other communities in the Masimera Chiefdom have no wells, two communities in the Lokomasama Chiefdom in the same District wren selected to benefit from the Pump Caretakers Training. They have well with pumps in their community Health Centres. Therefore, two persons from each of the communities were selected and trained as pump caretakers together with those in the Masimera chiefdom. These communities are Patifu and Mapla.
After the pump installation, repairs and maintenance technician training, the training team was divided in two groups (group A and B). Each group trained 15 communities.
GROUP A
Moray Hengoi - Group Leader (Head of WATSAN Department & Trainer - SFYDP)
Olufemi Williams - Trainer (SFYDP)
Ibrahim Bangura - Trained Pump Technician (From Masemira Town)
Foday Kamara - Trained Pump Technician (From Rokolon Village)
Group B
Alhassan Nonkor Kallon - Group Leader (Pump Technician - SFYDP)
Amadu D. C. Bangura - Trainer (SFYDP)
Ibrahim Kanu - Trained Pump Technician (From Matoku Village)
Osman Kargbo - Trained Pump Technician (From Royeben Village)
Below, is an overview of target communities/Schools, Population and their GPS Locations for Pump Technician and Pump Caretakers training in the Masimera Chiefdom and Lokomasama chiefdom in the Port Loko District
1. Royiben Village
Population: 307
GPS Location: N= 8°, 30’. 275
W= 12°, 25.796
2. Rokatick – Health Centre
GPS Location: N= 8°, 35.623
W= 12°, 25.112
3. Rotifunk Village
Population: 144
GPS Location: N= 8°, 34.537
W= 12°, 25.125
4. Makalben Line
Population: 250
GPS Location: N= 8°, 31.210
W= 12°, 26.462
5. Matoku Primary School
Population: 260
GPS Location: N= 8°, 35.430
W= 12°, 26.108
6. Matoku Village
Population: 215
GPS Location: N= 8°, 35.638
W= 12°, 26.104
7. Rofutha Village
Population: 220
GPS Location: N= 8°, 37.26
W= 12°, 28.58
8. Madick Vilage
Population: 92
GPS Location: N= 8°. 37.346
W= 12°, 27.684
9. Masimera Health Centre
GPS Location: N= 8°, 38.663
W= 12°, 26.991
10. Masimera Town
Population: 1,150
GPS Location: N= 8°, 38.748
W= 12°, 27.041
11. Sarakoh Village
Population: 202
GPS Location: N= 8°, 38.154
W= 12°, 26.295
12. Mayola-Tata Village
Population: 301
GPS Location: N= 8°, 37.289
W= 12°, 24.883
13. Madinbor Village
Population: 240
GPS Location: N= 8°, 36.840
W= 12°, 23.511
14. Tainicom – Masaka Village
Population: 185
GPS Location: N= 8°, 35.206
W= 12°, 20.685
15 Mayola–Lala–Ton Village
Population: 421
GPS Location: N= 8°, 34.165
W= 12°, 18.705
16. Konta Line – Lower Masimera Town
Population: 1,100
GPS Location: N= 8°, 28.449
W= 12°, 32.629
17. Konta Line – Health Centre
GPS Location: N= 8°, 29.176
W= 12°. 32.775
18 Mamaliki Town
Population: 1,153
GPS Location: N= 8°, 29.892
W= 12° 35.963
19. Mamaliki Health Centre
GPS Location: N= 8°, 29.816
W= 12°, 35.904
20. Mathaineh Village
Population: 975
GPS Location: N= 8°, 32.380
W= 12° 35.981
21. Konta Kuma Village (I)
Population: 1,200
GPS Location: N= 8°, 28.279
W= 12°, 31.597
22. Konta Kuma Village (II)
Population: 500
GPS Location: N= 8°, 29.354
W= 12°, 31.957
23. Royama Village
Population: 1,000
GPS Location: N= 8°, 31.980
W= 12°, 33.884
24. Magbemgbeh Village
Population: 510
GPS Location: N= 8°, 33.044
W= 12°, 34.814
25. Rokolon Village
Population: 350
GPS Location: N= 8°, 29.376
W= 12°, 35.875
26. Ahmadiyya Primary School – Konta Line
Population: 320
GPS Location: N= 8°, 28.272
W= 12°, 32.495
27. Royema Bana Village
Population: 1,700
GPS Location: N= 8°, 31.568
W= 12°, 33.530
28. Konta Line - Market
Population: 150
GPS Location: N= 8°, 28.272
W= 12°, 32.415
29 Patifu Junction
Population: 615
GPS location: N=080 41’ 42.8”
W=13° 0.6” 28.7”
30 Mapla
Population: 300
GPS location: N=080 45’ 01.2”
W=13° 02’ 13.3”
-Refreshers’ Training for Pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance Technicians
After a period of three months, a follow up visit was made and a meeting was scheduled to determined a date for the refreshers’ training
The Safer Future Youth Development Project WATSAN team attended the meeting; pump installation repairs/maintenance technicians and representatives from the local authorities in the district.
In the meeting, it was agreed that the refresher training be scheduled for the last two days in the month of February 2009.
On the 27th and 28th of February, 2009, the refresher training was conducted and most of the major stakeholders (local chiefs, representatives of the paramount chief and other district authorities) were present.
Before the commencement of the training, the trained participants in pump installation, repairs/maintenance shared experience gained during their work experience in the field.
It was reported that after their training, a total of fourteen pumps were repaired. Ten well with old pumps were repaired and four new pumps were replaced in four wells whose pumps were destroyed or stolen during the war.
Out of the thirty pumps available in the 373 villages in the chiefdom, a total of eighteen (18) pumps are now in good working order. The balance of twelve (12) pumps whose pumps were stolen during the war, need to be replaced while a total of three hundred and forty-three villages need improved wells for the supply of clean water.
Participants were very much appreciative and very thankful for such a great gesture. They promised that what they have learnt would be put into practice. Total of – additional pumps were also repaired and are in proper working order.
-
Michael Williamson of Bank-On-RainImplementation Status: completed Tue 06 Sep 2011, About 13 Years ago
Well Maintenance Training
Rajesh Shaw (PWX) and a 4 person team from Bank On Rain accompanied by Idriss Kamara and 3 staff from Safer Future Youth Development Project on a visit to Royiben Village where we met with individuals trained as well technicians (Well Doctors) by SFYDP.
We met 4 or 6 persons trained as repair technicians and visited 2 wells installed by other NGO's that had broken, been repaired and were now fully functional. We were shown another well still not operational as it required a new lower unit costing more than US$100 -- beyond the resources of the villagers. This led to an interesting discussion about how the costs of maintaining a well could be covered. The "well doctors" should be compensated for their time and effort repairing wells, but the Paramount Chiefs expect them to do this as a service to the Chiefdom without compensation. A user fee paid by villagers to maintain and repair their wells seems like an obvious approach, but there are no models for this in their culture, so not an easy concept. If fees are collected, who collects them, were can fees be safely kept until needed (the rural villagers do not have access to banks) and a host of other complications arise. The well technicians are generally subsistence farmers, so time spent traveling to villages and repairing a broken well decrease time available to grow and tend their crops. These social problems are not addressed in well maintenance/repair training, but perhaps they should be.
The training of well technicians has helped address a chronic problem with many NGO-supplied wells, that is once installed, these wells may cease to function in 1 - 2 years and remain broken for lack of trained repairmen and/or spare parts. The fellows we met had brought back into service 7 wells, but in the 67 villages in their Chiefdom there were still 60 more inoperative wells. A sustainable model to keep these well operable is badly needed.
For Bank On Rain, Mike & Gail Williamson, Ken Blair and Emily Berg
- Impact Assessment (M&E) Phase Project completed on 31 Dec, 2008 Implementation Phase
-
Idriss Kamara of Safer Future Youth Development ProjectImplementation Status: in_progress Sat 18 Oct 2008, Almost 16 Years ago
Status report - Survey, Procurement and Official Meetings
We have already survey a lot of communities and selected most of the 30 targeted ones.
We've also met with the Paramount Chief of the Koya Chiefdom and he seems quite grateful for our planned activities in his Chiefdom. The decentralization-process in Sierra Leone, which is giving the local authorities more power, is slowing our implementation down a little bit, as a lot of protocols have to be followed. But we are doing our best to work according to plan as far as possible.
We have also already bought most of the materials and tools needed for the repairs and the maintenance kits.
The trainings will be conducted soon.
- Implementation Phase Project started on 11 Aug, 2008 Preparation Phase
The well repair and maintenance training for thirty villages with an average population of 250 people per community, was executed with the aim of ensuring that water supply is maintained. After the training of the pump technicians, a total 10 were repaire
Narrative
Good quality and sufficient of water is very essential for life. A good number of Sierra Leoneans especially those in the rural communities are without access to quality water supply and so do not have access to safe drinking water. The water quality in improved water supply systems often is also affected from unreliable operations, poor hygiene practices and lack of maintenance. The water is subjected to secondary contamination during collection, transportation, storage and usage. The poor public health condition in developing countries like Sierra Leone can abruptly lead to the dramatic spread of epidemics. Cholera for example remains a risk for such epidemic outbreaks.
Adequate water treatment methods and avoidance of secondary contamination of drinking water, combined with hygiene promotion, are required to prevent the population that are with or without access to safer drinking water. This will minimize the number of illness and death rate among our population. Washing hands with soap and clean water is a simple act that can reduce diarrhoeal and many other disease transmissions. Promotion of household water-treatment methods should therefore always be combined with hygiene training
Therefore, the water and sanitation Department of the Safer Future Youth Development Project is relentlessly engaged in the promotion of Technical knowledge in Pump Installations, Repairs and Maintenance in the rural communities. It also promotes Hygiene education, Sanitation and other household water treatments technology.
An assessment survey, to select targeted beneficiary communities, was conducted.
1.1 Survey
A random survey was conducted in a total of 100(hundred) communities in both the Lokomasama, Masimera and Koya chiefdoms in Port Loko District in September 2008.
Trained and qualified members of our staff used well-designed Survey forms to collect data on the health status, Water Source, Water Consumption and treatment practices, Health Habits and Hygienic behaviour from the different communities.
The team met with Headmen/Chiefs, heads of schools, medical personnel in charge of community Health Centres and villagers to discuss issues concerning the water and hygiene situation and health condition of their communities.
1.2 Training Workshops
Three workshops were organized – One: to train the four (4) selected persons for Pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance for the Chiefdom, Two: Pump Caretakers Training for 30 selection communities and Three: Refreshers’ Training for Pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance Technicians.
-Pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance Training
After thorough consultative meetings with the Paramount Chiefs and their local Authorities in the various chiefdoms, the Masimera chiefdom was selected out of the three chiefdoms (Koya, Lokomasama and Masimera). This was because other NGOs were doing same implementing the same kind of project at that particular period. To avoid duplication of effort, the project was relocated to Masimera Chiefdom in Port Loko District.
The chiefdom authorities for the training of Pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance Technicians selected Four (4) young men. The participants’ training was done in Royiben a Community that was selected and agreed upon by all.
The training was in both theory and practical. Two days was used for the theoretical training while, four day was used to gain practical knowledge. During the practical trainings, a total of three (3) pump that were not in good working order were repaired and maintenance and one (1) Pump Installation was done
The practical training was done in three (3) different communities
1. Ahmadiyya Primary School - Konta line
Population: 320
GPS Location: N= 08°, 28’. 272”
W=012°, 32’. 495”
2. Royema Bana Village
Population: 1,700
No of Houses: 150
GPS Location: N=08°, 31’. 568”
W=012°, 33’. 530”
3. Magbengbeh Village
Population: 510
No of Houses: 59
GPS Location: N=08°, 33’. 027”
W=012°, 34’. 491”
-Pump Caretakers Training
From the 30 selected communities, trained technician’s assisted local authorities in each of the community in the selection of two (2) representatives for the Pump Caretakers Training for the selected communities.
Since most of the other communities in the Masimera Chiefdom have no wells, two communities in the Lokomasama Chiefdom in the same District wren selected to benefit from the Pump Caretakers Training. They have well with pumps in their community Health Centres. Therefore, two persons from each of the communities were selected and trained as pump caretakers together with those in the Masimera chiefdom. These communities are Patifu and Mapla.
After the pump installation, repairs and maintenance technician training, the training team was divided in two groups (group A and B). Each group trained 15 communities.
GROUP A
Moray Hengoi - Group Leader (Head of WATSAN Department & Trainer - SFYDP)
Olufemi Williams - Trainer (SFYDP)
Ibrahim Bangura - Trained Pump Technician (From Masemira Town)
Foday Kamara - Trained Pump Technician (From Rokolon Village)
Group B
Alhassan Nonkor Kallon - Group Leader (Pump Technician - SFYDP)
Amadu D. C. Bangura - Trainer (SFYDP)
Ibrahim Kanu - Trained Pump Technician (From Matoku Village)
Osman Kargbo - Trained Pump Technician (From Royeben Village)
Below, is an overview of target communities/Schools, Population and their GPS Locations for Pump Technician and Pump Caretakers training in the Masimera Chiefdom and Lokomasama chiefdom in the Port Loko District
1. Royiben Village
Population: 307
GPS Location: N= 8°, 30’. 275
W= 12°, 25.796
2. Rokatick – Health Centre
GPS Location: N= 8°, 35.623
W= 12°, 25.112
3. Rotifunk Village
Population: 144
GPS Location: N= 8°, 34.537
W= 12°, 25.125
4. Makalben Line
Population: 250
GPS Location: N= 8°, 31.210
W= 12°, 26.462
5. Matoku Primary School
Population: 260
GPS Location: N= 8°, 35.430
W= 12°, 26.108
6. Matoku Village
Population: 215
GPS Location: N= 8°, 35.638
W= 12°, 26.104
7. Rofutha Village
Population: 220
GPS Location: N= 8°, 37.26
W= 12°, 28.58
8. Madick Vilage
Population: 92
GPS Location: N= 8°. 37.346
W= 12°, 27.684
9. Masimera Health Centre
GPS Location: N= 8°, 38.663
W= 12°, 26.991
10. Masimera Town
Population: 1,150
GPS Location: N= 8°, 38.748
W= 12°, 27.041
11. Sarakoh Village
Population: 202
GPS Location: N= 8°, 38.154
W= 12°, 26.295
12. Mayola-Tata Village
Population: 301
GPS Location: N= 8°, 37.289
W= 12°, 24.883
13. Madinbor Village
Population: 240
GPS Location: N= 8°, 36.840
W= 12°, 23.511
14. Tainicom – Masaka Village
Population: 185
GPS Location: N= 8°, 35.206
W= 12°, 20.685
15 Mayola–Lala–Ton Village
Population: 421
GPS Location: N= 8°, 34.165
W= 12°, 18.705
16. Konta Line – Lower Masimera Town
Population: 1,100
GPS Location: N= 8°, 28.449
W= 12°, 32.629
17. Konta Line – Health Centre
GPS Location: N= 8°, 29.176
W= 12°. 32.775
18 Mamaliki Town
Population: 1,153
GPS Location: N= 8°, 29.892
W= 12° 35.963
19. Mamaliki Health Centre
GPS Location: N= 8°, 29.816
W= 12°, 35.904
20. Mathaineh Village
Population: 975
GPS Location: N= 8°, 32.380
W= 12° 35.981
21. Konta Kuma Village (I)
Population: 1,200
GPS Location: N= 8°, 28.279
W= 12°, 31.597
22. Konta Kuma Village (II)
Population: 500
GPS Location: N= 8°, 29.354
W= 12°, 31.957
23. Royama Village
Population: 1,000
GPS Location: N= 8°, 31.980
W= 12°, 33.884
24. Magbemgbeh Village
Population: 510
GPS Location: N= 8°, 33.044
W= 12°, 34.814
25. Rokolon Village
Population: 350
GPS Location: N= 8°, 29.376
W= 12°, 35.875
26. Ahmadiyya Primary School – Konta Line
Population: 320
GPS Location: N= 8°, 28.272
W= 12°, 32.495
27. Royema Bana Village
Population: 1,700
GPS Location: N= 8°, 31.568
W= 12°, 33.530
28. Konta Line - Market
Population: 150
GPS Location: N= 8°, 28.272
W= 12°, 32.415
29 Patifu Junction
Population: 615
GPS location: N=080 41’ 42.8”
W=13° 0.6” 28.7”
30 Mapla
Population: 300
GPS location: N=080 45’ 01.2”
W=13° 02’ 13.3”
-Refreshers’ Training for Pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance Technicians
After a period of three months, a follow up visit was made and a meeting was scheduled to determined a date for the refreshers’ training
The Safer Future Youth Development Project WATSAN team attended the meeting; pump installation repairs/maintenance technicians and representatives from the local authorities in the district.
In the meeting, it was agreed that the refresher training be scheduled for the last two days in the month of February 2009.
On the 27th and 28th of February, 2009, the refresher training was conducted and most of the major stakeholders (local chiefs, representatives of the paramount chief and other district authorities) were present.
Before the commencement of the training, the trained participants in pump installation, repairs/maintenance shared experience gained during their work experience in the field.
It was reported that after their training, a total of fourteen pumps were repaired. Ten well with old pumps were repaired and four new pumps were replaced in four wells whose pumps were destroyed or stolen during the war.
Out of the thirty pumps available in the 373 villages in the chiefdom, a total of eighteen (18) pumps are now in good working order. The balance of twelve (12) pumps whose pumps were stolen during the war, need to be replaced while a total of three hundred and forty-three villages need improved wells for the supply of clean water.
Participants were very much appreciative and very thankful for such a great gesture. They promised that what they have learnt would be put into practice. Total of – additional pumps were also repaired and are in proper working order.
Sustainability
Creating and measuring long-term impact
After the training of 4 technicians on pump installation repairs and maintenance and 60 caretakers in 30 communities (2 from each community). Safer Future in close working relationship with the District Health Medical Team (DHMT), the District Council, and Local Authorities of each community formed a committee of seven members. One member from DHMT, one member from District Council and the two caretakers and two women from each community are charged with the responsibility to upkeep continuity and smooth operation of the installation, repairs and maintenance of damage or ruined pumps with the entire district through funds provided by the district council and DHMT respectively. The District Council and the District Heath Medical Team strictly monitor funds provided.
The DHMT will be supporting the team in the chlorination of wells as and when necessary
Other Issues
Unusual and unexpected issues faced during project execution
Masimera Chiefdom has 373 communities. Out of survey conducted, it was realized that 30 communities have water wells whilst the rest of the other communities are going without pure and safe drinking water. Communities without water wells have to walk on a distance to fetch drinking water, which is traditional, the responsibility of the girl child and women.
?Part of wells run dry for part of the year. Women and children spent up to 4 hours a day to collect water from nearby streams and other unprotected source. This is causing serious problem particularly the girl child and women who mostly are harassed sexually along bush areas without have been unwanted pregnancies that lead mostly them out of school.
Learnings
Knowledge of project and process for sharing
It was learned that the water and sanitation facilities that exist before in some of these communities largely went into disrepair through neglect and lack of knowledge. Through by the training, these communities will fully participant and take part not only in the installation, repairs and maintenance of their wells but also in other developmental activities.
?It was also realized that no one in these communities is responsible for operation and monitoring of water wells. As a consequence, there are neither capacity nor financial supports available to rehabilitate non-functioning facilities. Moreover, community members do not have knowledge of local decision making processes nor the skills lobby the government for functional facilities
Impact
People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 7660
30 villages with an average population of 250 people. According to the survey conducted a total number of 7,660 will benefit from this project
School Children Getting Water: 4500
The estimated number is meant for school children and non-school going children within the 30 selected communities
People Getting Sanitation: 7660
4 people were trained as pump Installation, Repairs and Maintenance technicians and 60 people in 30 communities (2 from each community) were also trained as pump Caretakers. All inhabitants of the selected communities have benefited from this hence the Hygiene, Sanitation and Water Supply in their villages have improved thereby leading to better health status of the beneficiaries
People Getting Other Benefits: 7660
The total population of the 30 communities have benefited from the Hygiene, Sanitation and Solar Water Disinfection (SODIS is a water treatment method for household level) education.