Further water fountains put into operation in the Ivory Coast
At the end of September 2011, in cooperation with our partners in the Ivory Coast, four defective fountain pumps have been repaired in the region of N’zi Comoé in the east of the Côte d’Ivoire. The people living in the villages of Bouaffoukro, Koumanbo 1 and 2 as well as Ténékro ( in summary 1,600 inhabitants) need not walk anymore several miles - up to 8 miles - to collect water from rivers and lakes – often polluted water. In some of the waters, the tropical roundworm is found, the cause of river blindness. In some villages, up to 30 % of the population has lost its sight.
Also in the region Man, in February 2011 eight pumps in the villages of Bofesso, Déoulé, Gbatongouin, Glégouin, Glopeulouleu, Gouétimba, Kricouma and Mompleu offer drinking water to more than 6,000 people.
In April 2012, seven pumps in the region N’zi Comoé in the villages of Assemiankro, Fronobo, Kouakro and N´drikro were repaired and offer now 2,000 inhabitants clean drinking water.
The inhabitants of all villages actively participated in repairing the water wells. Now they distribute the water in the communities on their own initiative. They formed water committees composed of women and men with particular responsibilities. Some are responsible for repairing the wells. At the beginning of the project, they were trained in maintenance of the wells. Others carry out hygiene education in the villages and still others are in charge of the financial management. The villagers came to an agreement that each water pump user has to contribute 2.50 Euro per year to pay the future maintenance and repair of the water pumps.
On the whole, this is a very positive development. After the three wells set into operation in the Western of Ivory Coast in 2011, currently 22 pumps in total provide 16,000 people with the precious water, and the preparations for the restoration of further wells are under way.
