2021 AMAZI-Funded System
For the first time ever, we are naming a water system for our AMAZI For Burundi sustaining members. The Nyarumanga-Rubanga system has been selected as our 2021 AMAZI-funded system.
This system – our 60th in Burundi – serves a total of 1,700 area residents, including nearly 650 students at Rubanga School. Learn more about the difficulties this community faced without access to clean water. We thank our incredible community of givers for making this dream a reality.
These kids need our help - to stay clean, to stay hydrated - so they can continue focusing on their education and achieving their big dreams for life. —Gilbert Tuhabonye
PROJECT KICKOFF
Construction on the Nyarumanga- Rubanga water system began on July 19, 2021.
At the outset this community, located in Matana Colline, Bururi Province, has a primary water source 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: July 2021 - October 2021
Located in Matana Colline
Cost $45,115.20
Scope: 4.7km pipeline
3 storage tanks
6 tap stands + 2 source spigots + wash station
Employees: 60 including masons and plumbers
Serves 1,700 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.
Follow our progress on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date details.
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. Meet Adronis, one of the beneficiaries of this water system.
FIELD UPDATE: INTERIM PROGRESS
Progress on the Nyarumanga-Rubanga water system is well underway. Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our project manager, reports progress is moving along well and the estimated completion date is November 2021. Milestones completed as of August 13, 2021 include:
Source catchment is complete
The collection chamber is completed
Tank 1 is 20% complete
Digging trenches is approximately 2km
Connection of pipes is approximately 1.3km
When the source catchment is complete, clean water becomes available to residents even before tap stands are constructed. Children are able to collect directly from the pipes.
FIELD UPDATE 2: INTERIM PROGRESS
Progress on the Nyarumanga-Rubanga water system is well underway. Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our project manager, reports progress is moving along well and the estimated completion date is November 2021. Milestones completed as of September 23, 2021 include:
Source catchment protection is complete
Collection chamber is complete
4 tap stands are complete
2 water points (spigots) at the source are complete
2 tanks are complete
3rd tank is 40% complete
Digging trenches is around 4.2km
Connection of pipes is around 4km
SYSTEM COMPLETION
The NyarumangaII-Gasenyi system was completed on October 15, 2021, nearly a month ahead of schedule. It serves 1,700 people and provided work for 60 local residents.
It brings us, 1,700 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.
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.
Clean water is available from the newly installed pipeline during construction. Before the tap stand at their school was built.