| Water was a major concern for the residents of Joezohn. While rain and streams are fairly plentiful during the rainy season (April through September), the village’s reserves deplete quickly during the dry season and they have no access to pumps or wells. The residents had no latrine facilities so all of them had urinate and defecate in the forest, which exposed them to any number of pathogens and disease-carrying animals and insects.
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The residents of Joezohn now have access to clean and safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. The project, which began in late October 2010 was funded by a grant received through the Chase Community Giving Program and consisted of rehabilitating an existing well, installing a hand pump, constructing 2 latrines, as well as promoting comprehensive health and hygiene practices among residents. Residents of Joezohn were involved in the entire process of design, implementation and monitoring of the project and will take full ownership of the completed well. The community also contributed to the project in the form of land donation and casual/unskilled labor. The residents elected a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Committee (WASH) to manage the wells, latrines and hand washing facilities and the committee will also disseminate health and hygiene messages to residents including children using Children Hygiene and Sanitation Training approach (CHAST). Throughout the implementation, appropriate local technologies, materials, and substantial contribution were utilized to ensure a sense of ownership and sustainability. |
