PROJECT KICKOFF
Construction on the Musinzira-Rwasanga-Mahango water system has begun.
At the outset this community, located in Musinzira Colline of the Songa Commune and Ruzira-Mahango Colline of the Matana Commune, Bururi Province, had just 3 tap stands to serve 2,200 residents, none are located near the region’s two primary schools, three churches, or Rwasanga College. By abject necessity, the majority of the population relies on a primary water source that is several miles away from the community, and the water there is contaminated.
Preventable, water-borne diseases are the leading cause of death in Burundi, which has the 12th highest child mortality rate globally. Communities with Gazelle Foundation water systems have drastically reduced, and in some cases eliminated, the presence of water-borne illnesses among the families that live in them.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Construction dates: November 23, 2021 - June 2022
Located in the Musinzira Colline of the Songa Commune and Ruzira-Mahango Colline of the Matana Commune
Scope: 13.250km pipeline
5 storage tanks (refurbishment of the existing tank)
15 tap stands
Employees: 100 including masons and plumbers
Serves 2,200 residents
Project Schematics
Where or What is a Colline?
In the United States we have states, cities, and counties… learn more about geographic subdivisions in Burundi.
Among the 2,200 beneficiaries of this water system are; 665 students and teachers of Rwasanga Primary School, 838 students and teachers of Rwasanga College, 176 students and teachers of Mahango Primary School, 200 worshipers of Rwasanga Catholic Church, 130 worshipers of Rwasanga Pentecost Church, and 100 worshipers of Mahango Pentecost Church.
HOW IT WORKS
Water is captured from a source before it can become contaminated. It is filtered in the collection chamber and flows onward. Entrenched PVC pipe carries water to tanks, and to multiple tap stands. Tap stands are strategically positioned within easy walking distance to schools, churches, community centers and other central locations to maximize access points for residents. Water is available for free to all people regardless of the person’s tribe or religion.
Follow our progress on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date details.
CLEAN WATER MEANS EDUCATION
Without access to clean water, people must spend valuable time collecting water for daily use, and they are sick more often, due to preventable water-borne diseases. Both of these have a disproportionate impact on children, whose school attendance suffers because they are needed at home or are simply ill. With clean, accessible water, these barriers to education disappear.
The availability of clean water and the resulting improvements in health and education begin to reverse the cycle of poverty. According to the World Bank, returns on education investment are the largest in Africa over any other continent, and each additional year of schooling raises earnings by 11% for boys and 14% for girls.
FIELD UPDATE 1: INTERIM PROGRESS
Progress on the Musinzira-Rwasanga-Mahango water system is underway. Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our project manager, reports progress is moving along well and the estimated completion date is May 2022. Milestones completed as of December 19, 2021 include:
Purchase, transportation, delivery of project supplies
Protect catchment at the source
Collection chamber is completed
Tank 1 is 50% complete
Digging trenches is around 3 km
Connection of pipes is around 2km
FIELD UPDATE 2: INTERIM PROGRESS
We are happy to report that one of the largest projects we have ever taken on is not just on schedule, but actually ahead of schedule! While the majority of the world has experienced massive shipping delays and supply shortages, the beauty of our low tech, but highly sustainable, projects means we are not reliant on many ‘outside’ materials. Milestones as of Feb 18, 2022 include:
Protection of collection chamber is complete
Tank 1 is complete
Tank 2 is 30% complete
Tap stand 1 is complete
Digging of trenches is around 5.5 km
Connection of distribution pipes is around 3.4km
FIELD UPDATE 3: INTERIM PROGRESS
Progress continues on the water system and construction is at 84% complete. Clean water is already accessible from the completed tap stands, and from the pipeline that will be connected to the tap stands. Meaning accessing clean safe water is already possible for residents in this community. Milestones as of April 20, 2022:
4 Tanks are complete
9 tap stands are complete (of 15)
Digging trenches is around 11km complete
Connection of water pipes is around 9.5km
SYSTEM COMPLETION
The Musinzira-Rwasanga-Majango water system was completed on June 23, 2022. It serves 2,200 people and provided work for 60 local residents.
It brings us, 2,200 people, closer to achieving our goal of providing every person in Burundi with clean water, the highest quality of life, and hope within reach.
One of the key components of our work is the handoff of the water system. Upon completion, we turn ownership and stewardship of the system over to the community. The local workers employed to build our systems have the maintenance knowledge that allows for greater long-term viability and sustainability of our systems.
JOIN OUR MISSION
This project was funded by wonderful supporters like you. We thank these generous individuals for changing the lives of the people in this community through access to clean water.
Our next water system depends on you! We have 36 months of shovel-ready projects lined up - all we need is your support. Help us give the gift of clean water to those that need it most.