PROJECT KICKOFF
We are pleased to announce that construction on the Murenge-Shanga water system began on September 1, 2024. The system was made possible by the generosity of Spring For The Water Gala 2024 attendees. The system will be named in honor of the donors.
This water system marks a new beginning for this rural community by delivering permanent and close access to clean water. Currently, there is no clean water located nearby, which means community members walk several miles away to fetch water that is contaminated.
Thanks to the 2024 Spring For The Water attendees this project will serve 3,100 people when it is complete. If you’d like an invitation to Spring for the Water 2025 held in downtown Austin, Texas, sign up on our homepage to add yourself to our mailing list or call us.
Community members walk for miles multiple times a day to fetch water for daily living. While water is available, the infrastructure to keep it clean and distribute it over Burundi's lush hills and valleys is rare. This is why the Gazelle Foundation builds low-tech, high-impact systems that can stand the test of time.
WATER ACCESS PRIOR TO CLEAN WATER SYSTEM PARTNERSHIPS
Building sustainable water systems breaks the cycle of poor health, poverty, and conflict. The fact is, that preventable, waterborne diseases are still a leading cause of death in Burundi in this day and age. Communities with Gazelle Foundation water systems, on the other hand, have drastically reduced, and in some cases eliminated, the presence of water-borne illnesses among the families that live in them.
Clean water means clear futures for the residents whose young people can pursue education while their families can devote more time to farming and other economic activities to strengthen their community’s long-term resilience.
Read our three-part series about water’s effects on the students attending Rubanga Secondary School (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3). Adronis, a local student explains: ““There have been numerous fights over who gets the dirty water versus who gets the clean water. The villagers don’t give priority to the students who are trying to get back to class. I understand, because everyone is just trying to get water.”
Access to clean and safe water for their daily use ensures environmental, economic, and social health, an important legacy of sustainability which is built into each project.
Project Overview
Construction dates: September 1, 2024 - April 15, 2025
Located in Kinyinya and Mugano Colline, of Matana Commune
Scope: 25 km pipeline (15 miles!)
6 storage tanks
16 tap stands
Employees: 85 workers including masons and plumbers
Serves 3,100 residents including 1 college, 2 schools, and 2 churches
Project Schematic
Beneficiaries of this system include 865 students and teachers. Shanga Primary School (164 students and teachers), Nyamiryango Primary School (581 students and teachers, Kumasha College (120 students and teachers), Shanga Primary School (164 students and teachers). The system also serves Shanga Catholic Church (200 worshipers) and Nyamiryango Pentecost Church (180 worshipers).
Gazelle Foundation is Uniquely Qualified for this project
We continue to maintain a 100% success rate of our water systems. Hiring local workers for the project construction develops local knowledge for upkeep and maintenance, as the ownership of all water systems are turned over to the community upon completion. Meet our project manager Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe who keeps multiple construction projects going all year.
Left Top: Tap stand detail. The drawing includes specifications for construction details and materials. Right Top: Water distribution pipes start sharing clean water before tap stands are complete. Bottom Left: This is a wash station helping to make back-breaking tasks easier. Bottom Right: This image shows what a tap stand looks like when it is complete. Tap stands are distributed throughout communities, so clean water is close for everyone.
HOW IT WORKS
Water is captured from a reliable source before it can become contaminated. It is filtered in the collection chamber and flows onward. Entrenched PVC pipe carries water to holding tanks and to multiple tap stands. Tap stands are strategically positioned within easy walking distance to schools, churches, community centers, health clinics and other central locations to maximize access points for all residents. Water is available for free to all people regardless of the person’s tribe or religion.
We receive monthly updates during each Water System’s construction. Check back to see current pictures and updates and follow our progress on Facebook and Instagram.
Clean Water Means MORE Education
Without close access to clean water, people, especially women and girls, spend valuable time collecting water for daily use. Because the water isn’t clean, people are sick more often, due to preventable water-borne illnesses. Both of these factors 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; each additional year of schooling raises earnings by 11% for boys and 14% for girls.
Construction UPDATES
INTERIM PROJECT UPDATE: 1
Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our onsite project manager, reports progress on Murenge-Shanga is moving along well. Milestones completed as of November 7, 2024 include:
Source catchments are complete
Murunyata collection chamber is complete
Kanyuro collection chamber is 80% complete
Tank 1 (of 6) is complete
Two tap stands (of 16) are complete
Digging trenches is around 3.5 km
Connection of pipes is around 3.2 km
INTERIM PROJECT UPDATE: 2
Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our project manager, reports progress on Murenge-Shanga is moving along well. Milestones completed as of December 6, 2024 include:
Protection of both source locations are complete
Collection chambers are complete
2 (of 6) tanks are complete
5 (of 16) tap stands are complete
Digging trenches is around 7 km
Connection of pipes is around 5.5 km
INTERIM PROJECT UPDATE: 3
Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our project manager, shares wonderful news from Murenge-Shanga. As of January 11, 120 students at Kumasha school now have water. As of January 28, we completed the largest 10-meter tank, a crucial part of the water system. This elevated tank ensures a steady water supply to tap stands, even during peak times.
A Texas family underwrote the construction of the largest water storage tank and named it to honor the memory of a dear friend. The plaque on the largest tank reads: “Dedicated to Alberto Manuel Saavera Pareja and his legacy of love and hope.”
The progress to date has changed the lives of the 3,100 people in the community it serves. Milestones completed as of February 18, 2025 include:
4 (of 6) tanks are complete, the largest tank is complete
10 (of 16) tap stands are complete
Digging trenches is around 13 km
Connection of pipes is around 10.5 km
JOIN OUR MISSION
This project was funded by donors and sponsors of 2024 Spring For The Water. Learn more about our charitable events in Austin, Texas and learn about other ways to get involved. We thank the generous donors for changing the lives of the people in this Burundian community by giving permanent and life-changing access to clean water.
Our next water system depends on you! Help us give the gift of clean water to those that need it most.
The Gazelle Foundation works with incredible teams and sponsors who are dedicated to changing the world one water system at a time. With joy we are transforming lives across the globe in rural Burundi.