PROJECT KICKOFF
Construction on the Nyabisage-Mugomera water system is complete.
At the outset, this community, located in Mugamba Colline, Bururi Province, has a failed water system originally built by a different organization, so residents’ primary water source is several miles away from the community, and the water there is 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.
Project Overview
Construction dates: April 6, 2023 - July 5, 2023
Located in Mugamba Colline
Scope: 3.8km pipeline
5 storage tanks
6 tap stands
Employees: 55 including masons and plumbers
Serves 1,500 residents
Project Schematics
Gazelle Foundation is refurbishing and extending a failed water system originally constructed decades ago by a different organization. Our project success rate is 100%, and we’re proud that year after year we design and build effective and efficient sustainable water systems. We hire local workers for the project construction which develops local knowledge for upkeep and maintenance, as the ownership of all water systems are turned over to the community upon completion.
Our team has engineered a water system that will provide clean water to this community for generations to come. The water source in Nyabisange has the appropriate flow for a system this size. The construction team will build a collection chamber, refurbish two existing tanks add new infrastructure that will bring clean water and hope to many more people in the years to come.
Until construction began, children and those living in this community struggled to get clean water each day. Clean water is now available from the pipeline, construction continues, thanks to supporters like you.
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.
Clean water is foundational to community health and economic growth. But the systems must work long-term to provide lasting change. Our systems employ a low-tech, sustainable approach to water system constructions that is simple but effective, both in the short term and the long run.
Source Excavation: Digging is done by hand
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. Learn more about Jean Bosco.
Gazelle Foundation Board Member Danielle Sweeney, MD, FAAP with Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe in Burundi August 2022. Standing on Gazelle Foundation water tank in Matana. Read about Danielle’s experience.
Field Update 1: Interim Progress
Progress on the Nyabisage-Mugomera Extension water system is well underway. Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our project manager, reports progress is moving along well, milestones completed as of May 2, 2023, include:
Source catchment is complete
The collection chamber is complete
Tap stand # 1 is complete and operational
The break pressure chamber is 80% complete
Digging trenches is around 1.5 km
The connection of pipes is around 1km
Field Update 2: Interim Progress
Progress on the Nyabisage-Mugomera Extension water system is on budget and on schedule. Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our project manager, reports progress is moving along well, milestones completed as of June 21, 2023, include:
Sources catchment protection is 100% complete
5 tap stands are complete
6th tap stand is 50% complete
Break pressure chamber is complete
Rehabilitation of existing tanks 1 & 2 is complete
New tanks 1 & 2 are complete, and new tank 3 is 50% complete
Digging trenches is complete
The connection of pipes is around 3.5km
SYSTEM COMPLETION
The Nyabisage-Mugomera water system was completed on July 5, 2023. Two and a half weeks ahead of schedule. It serves 1,500 people. Construction of the system provided work for 55 local residents.
It brings us, 1,500 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.
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.