Water Source

View Kibo Group Water Wells in a larger map

In conversations with doctors who often come through we ask the question, “What is the best way to help with the healthcare of the people in the villages?” Invariably, we have received the answer, “Clean drinking water.”

In sub-Saharan Africa, some must walk up to 2 miles to an open water source to fill 20 liter jerrycans with water that may be contaminated with Bilharzia, Giardia, and/or worms.  Many carry a couple of these jerrycans for miles, one on their head and one in their hand,while some tie as many of the jerrycans to a bicycle as possible.

Due to the generous contributions of Kibo friends we have been able to start drilling and digging wells for several communities in Uganda and Mozambique.

In Uganda, we have partnered with the Busoga Trust for shallow wells and with Draco International for the contracting of a deep borehole. We are also involved in Home Improvement Campaigns which provide intensive education concerning practical village hygiene and sanitation.  We have completed 20 village water wells and are now working on two additional projects.

In Mozambique, we have recycled scrap metal to help hundreds of people have access to clean drinking water. A piece of heavy steel with sharp teeth is raised and lowered to eat away at the earth at over 15 feet a day until water gushes from below. This process usually takes 1-2 weeks and is very labor intensive. However, it is truly rewarding to see women who have walked long distances to fetch water joyfully pumping it locally.  We are currently in need of $19,000 to purchase a larger drilling rig.  See our white paper here.

We envision work such as this to be an integral facet of a holistic effort that values body and life here.

If you’d like to help provide clean water to villages in need you can help us by donating to the cause. Shallow wells cost $3,500 and deep boreholes are approximately $8,000.  In conjunction with the wells, we partner with communities in a community-led total sanitation program and home improvement campaign.  This program costs approximately $2500 per community.