The Gazelle Foundation knows that clean water is essential for day-to-day life. But we also believe that clean water also has the power to do even more -- to change the trajectory of an entire country. We achieve this by involving local communities in every step of the water system process, and ultimately handing over ownership of the system to the communities we work in. In a country where much of the population lives hand to mouth, empowering people with ownership over something so precious has profound affects.
Local workers hand dig trenches, lay pipes, build storage tanks and tap stands, with the supervision of our project manager. Under this model, local communities can make any necessary repairs immediately with limited disruption in access to water. So once completed, community members are invited to witness the official handover of the system, where a formal agreement is signed by a representative for the community, usually the mayor or other elected official, and then the taps are officially open for use. There are often long lines of people waiting to fill buckets with clean water or wash clothes. And while this handover is largely ceremonial, the importance of this last step in our process is not lost on the community. The systems are so vital, that the people who are appointed to oversee the systems are highly respected and trusted members of the community.
While visiting the Kiroro II-Nyagishiha water system in January 2023, we learned the closest resident to the system had also been appointed to do daily evaluations on the storage tank and tap stands. Additionally, once a month, the storage tank is drained and cleaned from inside to prevent mold or algae build up. There is also a plumber on standby for regular maintenance checks. These processes were put in place by the community, on their own accord, because of the immense value of the water system. “I was truly humbled by the enormous amount of care that is put into keeping the systems functional. It is a reminder of the power of clean water, and the enormity of the change it brings to the communities we serve”, says Tessa Madison, Fundraising Coordinator for the Gazelle Foundation, who was visiting the country. Our on the ground Project Manager, Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe added, “The systems are low-tech for this very reason. They are cost effective to build, maintain, and repair. We finish a project knowing we are turning it over to capable hands, because the community has been alongside us from start to finish.”
The durability of our work is something we at the Gazelle Foundation take great pride in. But none of this work would be possible without the incredible generosity of donors like you. Help us give the gift of clean water to those that need it most. Together, we can transform lives and make it possible for an entire country to break from the grips of poverty and flow freely once again.
