Wells in Nigeria

We are pleased to set out below details of Wherever The Need's latest project that is a further extension of what is now our central programme - the provision of clean water and sanitation to rural communities in Africa.

For the first time we will be working in Nigeria, which could be a challenge, but fortunately our partners are already very well known to us.

The Tulsi Chanrai Foundation (TCF), a non-governmental organization, was established in Nigeria in 1992 with the purpose of alleviating poverty through the provision of healthcare to rural communities.

TCF has since established programmes in primary health care, eye care and the provision of access to safe drinking water in various parts of the country.

Safe Drinking Water Program

The basics have already been set up in Kebbi State in North-Western Nigeria and currently cover 200 drinking water points spread across the state. Rather than drill new bore holes, TCF have embarked upon a programme of rehabilitating existing hand-pumps that have been rendered dysfunctional.

The costs of repair are considerably less (about US$600) than building new boreholes (about US$2,000). The pumps are identified in consultation with local communities who are then given help to recondition them. An integral part of the program is to collect a contribution from the communities in terms of money, materials and labour. A committee is formed whose job it is to mobilise resources from the community surrounding the water point and to nominate people who are trained to service and maintain the hand-pump. It is also the responsibility of the committee to ensure that the hand-pump is maintained and quickly repaired in case of malfunction.

Depots carrying common spares and a full set of tools are created close at hand under the supervision of TCF. TCF's role is to identify the communities requiring assistance and to organise them into helping themselves. TCF also provides technical and financial assistance and procures the spare parts for reconditioning and spares. It conducts training programs for the village representative in hand-pump repair. Teams of supervisory mechanics make regular visits to the reconditioned pumps to ensure that they are kept in good working order.

Our role is to raise the necessary funds to continue this work and to monitor progress. Besides reconditioning the pumps, the program also provides a hygienic environment around them to ensure safe drinking water. This includes mobilising the community to repair the apron and provide for a cornice to prevent spillage and a long drain with a soak-pit to carry off the waste water. A fence and a washing slab also ensure that the water point is not misused. Without this the facility is used for the watering of animals, clothes washing and drinking water. The effluent from the first two uses simply soaks into the ground to the water table below, fouling the water and rendering the pump useless. This process is very simple to understand but highlights that in Africa simple provision is not sufficient. People need to be trained, for without it good intention simply results in a short term gain.

It is encouraging to note that at any given point of time 95% of rehabilitated pumps are in good working order.