PROJECT KICKOFF
We are pleased to announce that construction on the Runyangwe-Nyabitanga Water System #31 began on August 1, 2016 and was completed October 27, 2016. The project is located in the Muheka Colline of the Songa Commune within Bururi Province, Burundi 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 2,450 people from the general population in addition to 214 students and teachers at the Nyabitanga Primary School, 72 students and teachers at Mugumwa Primary School, and 800 people at the Gataba Market when complete.
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.
Project Overview
Construction dates: August 1, 2016 - October 27, 2016
Located in Muheka Colline of Songa Commune
Scope: 2.5km pipeline
2 storage tanks
7 tap stands
Employees: 80 including masons and plumbers
Serves 2,450 residents, including 286 students and teachers, and 800 people at Gataba Market
Project Schematics
Tap stands are located at high impact locations including Gataba market and mugumwa primary school.
Workers excavating at the source (left) and later protecting the source site (right).
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.
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.
Project Updates
Interim Project Update: 1
Site preparation
Source construction begins
Trenches for pipes begin
The tap stand in use at Nyamuhanga Primary School. It will make clean water easily accessible for 219 teachers and students who can now spend more time teaching and learning!
Interim Project Update: 2
Progress on the Runyangwe-Nyabitanga water system is well underway. Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our project manager, reports progress is moving along well:
Tank construction complete
Piping in place
Tap stands nearing completion
Landscape restored, pipe and water system protected from damage
This water system is complete.
SYSTEM COMPLETION
The Runyangwe-Nyabitanga water system was completed on October 27, 2016. It serves approximately 3,500 people. Construction of the system provided work for 80 local residents.
It brings more than 3,500 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.
Thanks to you, over 2,450 more people in Burundi now have access to clean water.
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.