PROJECT KICKOFF
We are pleased to announce that construction on the Bibuye-Fuku Songa water system began on March 3, 2009. The Bibuye-Fuku Songa water system is the first clean water project undertaken and completed by the Gazelle Foundation. See the full list of projects here.
At the outset, this community, located in Songa Colline, Bururi Province, had a primary water source several miles away from the village and the water there was 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.
Thanks to our generous supporters, this project will serve 1500 people when complete.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Construction dates: March 3, 2009 - October 10, 2009
Located in the Songa Colline, Bururi Province
Cost: $49,298.97
Scope: 3km pipeline
2 water tanks + 1 capacity tank
10 tap stands
Employees: 65 including masons and plumbers
Serves 1500 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 Songa water system is underway and the estimated completion date is October 2009. Milestones completed as of April 28, 2009 include:
Purchase and transportation of project supplies
Site preparation and leveling
Excavation of three sources
Trenches completed for 3km of piping
FIELD UPDATE 2: INTERIM PROGRESS
We are happy to report that at this stage the overall progress of activities is at 80%. Milestones as of July 4, 2009 include:
Source catchments are complete
3 tanks are 70% complete
Pipes are 90% complete
Preparatory works for outlet
Collection chambers have been completed
10 water taps are 80% complete
WATER SYSTEM COMPLETION
The Bibuye-Fuku Songa water system was completed on October 10, 2009. This gravity system serves 1500 people in the area, aiming to improve health and living conditions among the communities in the Songa commune.
The Gazelle Foundation's mission is to provide free, clean water to everyone in the communities that we serve, regardless of ethnicity, religion, and other differences. The very first project was built specifically with this message in mind.
Our first project was built to serve a community of the Batwa (Twa) tribe. The Twa community is one of the most marginalized tribes in Burundi and makes up only 1% of the total population. They are the poorest of the poor, lacking access to not just water but education, food sources, and health care. This tribe often lives in dangerous areas of the Songa province and are forgotten about in terms of their human rights and needs. By bringing clean water to this village, they now have a different life, and most importantly, hope.
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.