PROJECT KICKOFF
We are pleased to announce that construction on the Gashanga-Nyamiyaga water system #27 began on January 1, 2016 and was completed April 1, 2016. This community, located in Taba Colline, Bururi Province, where clean water resources are limited. Locals walk significant distances to obtain water from small springs and water pools which are 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 2,200 people of the general population in addition to the Nyamiyaga Primary School and Catholic church when complete.
Project Overview
Construction dates: January 1, 2016 - April 1, 2016
Located in Songa commune
Scope: 5.58km pipeline
3 storage tanks
10 tap stands
Employees: 80 including masons and plumbers
Serves 2,200+ residents
Project Schematics
The first phase of construction is transporting supplies to the work site. Transporting rocks to the construction site is not easy in Burundi. There’s no Home Depot or Lowes, and trucks can only get the materials so far. Meaning rocks, PVC, and bags of concrete are often times transported by hand, or wheelbarrow, to the construction location.
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.
See a rendering of a typical water system and learn more about how we build water systems.
Source Excavation: Digging is done by hand
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.
On The Ground With Jean Bosco
While we couldn’t do the work we do without our supporters here at home, we also rely on our dedicated partners on the ground in Burundi. Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our long-time project manager, is a critical part of the team bringing clean water to those that need it most. He has a front-row seat to the beneficial impact on local economies, health, and education - all due to clean water.
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.
The team in training for water management on this project.
Project Updates
Interim Progress Update: 1
Collection chamber masonry begins
Trenching for pipes continues and is nearing completion
A look into the pipeline construction process: Workers dig trenches, lay down the pipes, and connect them from the source to storage tanks and tap stands.
Interim Project Update: 2
Progress on the Gashanga-Nyamiyaga water system is well underway. Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our project manager, reports progress is moving along well.
Collection chambers are complete
Work on tap stands begins
Pipeline is installed between collection chambers and storage tanks
System testing underway
A local resident taking a clean drink of water from a new tap stand.
SYSTEM COMPLETION
The Gashanga-Nyamiyaga water system was completed on April 1, 2016. It serves over 2,200 people, including a primary school and a church. Construction of the system provided work for 80 local residents.
It brings us more than 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. Read more about the handover.
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.