PROJECT KICKOFF
We are pleased to announce that construction on the Musumba-Ruvumvu water system began on November 1, 2011. This community, located in Songa Colline, Bururi Province, had very limited water resources located several miles away from the area and the water there was contaminated. This water system will serve 650 students and teachers from the Ruvumvu secondary school, 40 staff personnel from the Songa commune offices, 150 people per day in the Songa court office, and 100 patients per day at the Ruvumvu health center.
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.
Thanks to our generous supporters, this project will serve 2,400 residents when complete.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Construction dates: November 1, 2011 - April 12, 2012
Located in the Songa Colline, Bururi Province
Cost: $85,918
Scope: 6.5km pipeline
5 tanks
11 tap stands
Employees: 65 including masons and plumbers
Serves 2,400 residents
Project Schematics
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.
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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 Musumba-Ruvumvu water system is underway and the estimated completion date is April 2012. Milestones completed as of January 5, 2012 include:
Purchase, transportation, and delivery of project supplies
Source construction began
Collection chamber masonry began
Trenches for pipes began
FIELD UPDATE 2: INTERIM PROGRESS
We are happy to report that at this stage the overall progress of activities is on schedule. Milestones as of February 16, 2012 include:
Collection chambers complete
Trenching complete
Initial pipeline in place
Storage tanks nearing completion
Tap stand work began
WATER SYSTEM COMPLETE
The Musumba-Ruvumvu water system was completed on April 12, 2012, on time and on budget. This gravity system serves 2,400 people in the area, aiming to improve heath and living conditions among the communities in the Songa commune.
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.