Executive Summary
Access to clean and safe drinking water remains one of the greatest public health challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. Millions of people rely on contaminated rivers, ponds, and unprotected wells, leading to widespread waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and diarrheal infections. These preventable diseases continue to contribute to high morbidity and mortality, especially among children under age five.
This project aims to improve access to clean, safe, and reliable water sources by constructing community boreholes, installing water purification systems, rehabilitating damaged water points, and training communities on hygiene and sanitation practices. The goal is to reduce waterborne disease prevalence and improve overall community health.
Background and Problem Statement
Water scarcity and contamination remain major challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to UNICEF and WHO reports, over 400 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to safe drinking water. As a result, communities—especially in rural areas—depend on unsafe water sources polluted by animal waste, industrial runoff, and human activity.
Key problems include:
- Inadequate water infrastructure: Many villages lack boreholes, protected wells, or piped water systems.
- Contaminated water sources: Open water sources are exposed to bacteria, parasites, and chemicals.
- Poor sanitation and hygiene practices: Open defecation and lack of latrines worsen contamination.
- Limited knowledge of water treatment methods: Few households treat water through boiling, filtering, or purification.
- Frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases: Cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, and dysentery remain widespread.
These challenges directly impact health, school attendance, productivity, and economic development. Reducing waterborne diseases requires an integrated approach that ensures clean water availability and community awareness.
Project Goal
To improve the health and well-being of rural and peri-urban communities in Sub-Saharan Africa by providing sustainable access to clean water and reducing waterborne diseases.
Specific Objectives
- Construct and rehabilitate at least 15 safe water points (boreholes, protected wells, or water kiosks).
- Provide water purification technologies such as filters, chlorine dispensers, and solar disinfection kits to 2,000 households.
- Conduct hygiene and sanitation training for 5,000 community members.
- Reduce waterborne disease cases by at least 40% within two years.
- Establish community water management committees to ensure long-term sustainability.
Target Population
- Primary beneficiaries: Rural households, women, children, and vulnerable populations without access to clean water.
- Secondary beneficiaries: Local health centers, schools, community leaders, and small-scale farmers who rely on safe water for daily needs.
Project Activities
- Activity 1: Community Needs Assessment
- Conduct baseline surveys to identify water access gaps
- Map existing water points and disease hotspots
- Consult local leaders, women’s groups, and health workers
- Activity 2: Construction and Rehabilitation of Water Sources
- Drilling new boreholes equipped with hand pumps or solar pumps
- Repairing or upgrading broken wells and water systems
- Installing rainwater harvesting systems in schools and health centers
- Establishing communal water kiosks for urban informal settlements
- Activity 3: Distribution of Water Purification Solutions
- Provide low-cost household water filters
- Install chlorine dispensers at communal water points
- Train households on boiling, filtering, and solar disinfection (SODIS)
- Activity 4: Hygiene and Sanitation Promotion
- Activity 5: Training Water Management Committees
- Establish local committees to monitor water sources
- Train members on maintenance, repairs, fee collection, and governance
- Link committees to local governments for technical support
- Activity 6: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
- Regular water quality tests
- Tracking of disease cases through local clinics
- Mid-term and final evaluations
- Monthly and quarterly progress report
Expected Outcomes
- Increased access to safe and reliable drinking water for over 10,000 people.
- Significant decline in cases of waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea.
- Improved hygiene practices at household and community levels.
- Strengthened community capacity to manage water systems.
- Reduced time spent—especially by women and children—fetching water, improving school attendance and productivity.
Project Duration
- 24 months (2 years)
Budget (Point Form)
- USD 60,000 – Construction and rehabilitation of water points (boreholes, wells, solar pumps).
- USD 25,000 – Water purification systems, household filters, chlorine dispensers, and distribution.
- USD 20,000 – Hygiene and sanitation training, awareness materials, and community workshops.
- USD 15,000 – Water management committee training, capacity building, and equipment.
- USD 10,000 – Monitoring, evaluation, water testing, and health data tracking.
- USD 12,000 – Administration, logistics, field transport, and project coordination.
- Total Estimated Budget: USD 142,000
Sustainability Plan
To ensure long-term impact after the project ends, the following strategies will be implemented:
- Community ownership: Water management committees will maintain water points and collect small user fees.
- Local partnerships: Collaboration with local governments, health departments, and water agencies for long-term technical support.
- Capacity building: Training community members in maintenance, record-keeping, and hygiene promotion ensures ongoing improvements.
- Durable infrastructure: Use of high-quality materials to reduce repair frequency.
- Environmental protection: Promote reforestation and watershed management to safeguard water sources.
Conclusion
Waterborne diseases are preventable, yet they continue to affect millions across Sub-Saharan Africa due to limited access to safe water. This project provides a practical, sustainable, and community-centered solution that combines infrastructure development, water purification, hygiene training, and local capacity building.
By supporting this initiative, donors and partners will directly contribute to saving lives, improving health outcomes, empowering communities, and promoting sustainable development across the region.
