JWF Fund 2018 Follow-up: Maintenance of spring wells, awareness on hygiene and training of village women water users in Padolo parish (Uganda) - News

Outline of the Follow-up observations
Our priority is placed on responding to the issues and needs of the field in an efficient and effective way.
Since 2015, we have been carrying out follow-up observations one year after the completion of projects in order to understand changing issues and needs.

In FY 2019, the fifth year since we started our follow-up observations, we asked five grass-roots organizations in the Lao PDR, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Uganda (2 projects) that had been granted the JWF Fund 2018 to conduct follow-up observations. We received consent from the organizations in all the locations except the Lao PDR. With this cooperation, we have been able to conduct our one-year follow-up observations.

This page describes the project Maintenance of spring wells, awareness on hygiene and training of village women water users in Padolo parish in Uganda.

Maintenance of spring wells, awareness on hygiene and training of village women water users in Padolo parish

Outlines of the project supported by the JWF Fund 2018
・Organization: Community Uplift and Welfare Development (CUWEDE) (#053)
・Countries/Area: Uganda/Nebbi District
・Project period: October 2018 to March 2019
・Number of beneficiaries: 1,735 (625 women, 960 men, 150 children)
・Cost: $1,985 ($1,000: JWF funds, $400: beneficiaries, and $585: CUWEDE)

Background:
Arimo and Amelenju-Avubu as water source for drinking, cooking, washing, and other domestic uses. However, the facilities are dilapidated, muddy and rusty. In addition to that, poor water handling and maintenance by the users have caused increasing risks of possible water diseases and other diseases such as malaria since such areas could be breeding ground for mosquitos.
For the last four years, these two target villages have recorded the highest number of cases of water borne diseases including especially dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis B, diarrhea, amoebiosis and cholera.

Existed water supply system in Arimo

Main activities:
・Repair of two existing spring wells.
・Conducted awareness-raising meetings for equipment users
・Training for village women water users
・Water quality test by Assistant District Water officer

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Repair of existing water supply system in Amelenju-Avubu


Residents drawing water from a repaired Arimo water supply system	Residents drawing water from a repaired water supply system in Amelenju-Avubu

Follow-up observation in 2020
Results of the survey conducted by Mr. Kumakech James of the CUWEDE are as follows:

Current situations of the repaired spring wells
– The spring wells in Arimo and Amelenju-Avubu are functioning well. The only damage found is that the outlets are getting spill-off due to runways and weak soil around the wells, especially at the Amelenju-Avubu spring well.
– The water sources are maintained monthly and quality of the water is still good and drinkable. It is also safe and for mankind activities.
– It has been noticed that the water volume produced is steady and very reliable throughout the year. Even during dry season, enough water is produced.

Operation and maintenance system
– The users of the spring well are careful not to dirty the wells and ensure that they mainly use clean containers to fetch water.
– The two spring wells are maintained through informal by-law systems which regulate the use of clean containers for fetching water from the wells.
– The initial live fence erected around the wells was destroyed by stray goats during dry season. The fencing material was palatable to the animals. The water user committee agreed with CUWEDE to use the mobilized funds to erect a new fence around the wells.
– During the follow-up visit, it was noted that some people in the community had tried to wash their clothes near the wells. Community leaders told them not to do so since this is not encouraged by consensus of the water users.
– They have appointed well caretakers supervised by the nine member water user committee elected from among community members.
– In order to operate and maintain the spring wells so that they function well, the water user committee enforces informal by-laws regarding hygiene and sanitation around the wells, mobilizes water users for regular maintenance to ensure effective operations, and contributes a quarterly revolving fund where possible.

Changes of the beneficiaries
– The users are now using clean water and practicing improved water hygiene. Water-borne diseases have been reduced and no cases of cholera were reported last year, unlike before the wells were rehabilitated. Additionally, the levels of dysentery and typhoid among water users are falling, evidenced by the few cases reported to health centers by the two targeted communities.
– Currently, all households are encouraged to have basic sanitary facilities such as toilet and bath shelter.

Voices from the beneficiaries

Mrs. Anirwoth Esther, 31 years old, a user of the spring well in Amelenju-Avubu and participant in a two-day training

I use the spring well daily. I have not measured it lately, but it takes roughly one to two minutes to fill a 20-liter jerry can.
I normally clean the spring well when it is littered or dirty with leaves or other plant matter.
After the completion of the project, I have realized the importance of cleanliness and its relevance to our health. Even at home, I ensure that the utensils I use are always clean and tidy. I encourage my community to use clean utensils when drawing water. It has also taught me to be responsible. When I find children playing or animals roaming near the well, I always send them away.
I continue to teach my community about hygiene and sanitation and their relevance to health that I learned the training. This is always done informally when I notice something not proper at the wells.

Ms. Athuanet Priscilla, 56 years old, Treasurer for Arimo spring well

The water quality is very good and the taste is very sweet. I had never imagined how sweet Arimo was before its rehabilitation. It is extremely sweet and I like drinking it.
The committee members share the following roles in operating and maintaining the spring wells:
– Routinely supporting the caretakers by monitoring the spring well when she is not around
– Making impromptu visits to the wells, especially during daytime to monitor the usage of the wells
– Mobilizing members or water users to make some small quarterly contribution which the treasurer keeps to help with maintenance when needs arise
– Visiting communities and gathering church congregations to talk about the wells maintenance and utilization

Mr. Parmu James, 41 years old, a local community leader

I have noticed at Arimo spring, efforts at cleanliness are extremely high with water users respecting hygiene practices to the extent of removing their shoes when drawing water. However, at Amelenju-Avubu well, they are not trying very hard and a lot more needs to be done by the committee to ensure enforcement.
Water users are drawing water using clean jerry cans but at times there are some people who wash their clothes near the wells. Such practices could lead to contamination in the future.
With sign of erosion taking place around the wells, there is a need to make some reinforcements with cement so that they are safer and can be used for longer term.
I am seeing our people are improving and love the initiative. There are strong requests from other communities who have seen this wonderful project and want to have some similar initiatives extended to their areas.
There are strong requests from other communities who have seen this wonderful project and want to have some similar initiatives extended to their areas.
I have seen community people contributing willingly to the maintenance of the wells, which other communities don’t take seriously. When they take part in meetings, I know that they are likely to carry out maintenance. These are very good signs for the continued operation and maintenance of the facilities.

Photos of the follow up observation


Arimo sring well repaired in 2018	Water users at the Arimo spring well


Amelenju-Avubu spring well repaired in 2018	A woman fetching water at the Amelenju-Avubu

(Reported by Shigenori Asai, Director)