In 2015, Link to progress received funds from the Koornzaayer foundation to drill 20 deep

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1 In 2015, Link to progress received funds from the Koornzaayer foundation to drill 20 deep boreholes and improve sanitation and hygiene in Amuria District, Eastern Uganda. This is a three years water and sanitation project with a total cost of Euros 460,000 to be implemented from January 2014 to December Koornzaayer Foundation funded the first phase of the project in 2014 to the tune of Euros 160,000 and it involved the construction of 20 deep boreholes to improve access to safe water, good sanitation and hygiene behaviour for 6,000 people in Morungatuny, Akoromit and Acowa Sub Counties, Amuria district. It also aimed at empowering the beneficiaries through Community Based Management System for sustainability of the project. The second phase was implemented in 2015 with the same amount; in Morungatuny, Ogolai, Akoromit & Acowa sub-counties. Each of the selected community contributed co funding of Ugandan Shillings 200,000 to the District Water office to show ownership of the project. The communities also offered land in each village for the construction of the boreholes. To realise this, LTP carried out intensive community mobilisation. The community members participated in the project by clearing the road to the drilling site, providing unskilled labour, fencing the completed boreholes and construction of soak pits to drain spill off water. LTP contracted TGS Water Ltd to carry out Page 1

2 borehole construction. Compared to the Baseline, the monitoring and evaluation results revealed a theory of change in the lives of the people who received boreholes. Water quality analysis was done in all the 20 boreholes and the results indicated that the water is safe for human and animal consumption. All the 20 successful boreholes were commissioned to the district and communities, thus over 6,000 beneficiaries are using clean water. At the end of the project, LTP organized a grand function where the project was officially commissioned to the district and beneficiaries on the 17 th December The function was well attended by the District Local Council Chairperson as guest of honour, all political and technical leaders from the benefiting sub-counties. One of the District leaders from Amuria district succinctly expressed their appreciation to Koornzaayer Foundation and Link to Progress as captured verbatim below: I appreciated LTP and Koornzaayer Foundation for providing 20 boreholes and training the beneficiaries on operation and maintenance, sanitation and hygiene. I urge the beneficiaries to own the project and maintain the water sources for sustainability. Page 2

3 Mr. Onoria Ambrose (checkered shirt) the RDC Amuria officially commissioning the project at Ajur village on 17 th December After construction, the committees were trained on Operation and Maintenance (O and M), sanitation and hygiene. The communities are making monthly contribution of Ugandan Shillings 1,000 per household in preparation for repairs in future. The Water and Sanitation Committees are actively involved in the management of their sources. They keep clear records of the water Page 3

4 users, monthly contributions and hold monthly meetings to account for money collected and plan for operation and maintenance. One of the water user committees expressed this vividly: We are well equipped with record books and saving boxes for collecting fees for operation and maintenance of this borehole. So far all the water users are participating in collecting the user fee.. Distance travelled and time spent by water users to look for safe water has been reduced, they can now use the time for other development activities, women are no longer crowded at the water source. One community member of Ogolai sub-county appreciated The Koornzaayer foundation as capture verbatim: Page 4

5 We are very grateful for all the generous support from Koornzaayer foundation and Link to progress. There is a great change in our village. I can now participate in farming without getting worried about drinking water, May God Bless you! Water situation at Baseline Water situation after project implementation Sanitation and hygiene improvement in the project area was achieved using the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach combined with home improvement, and Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) and these approaches yielded good results. All the 20 communities were triggered and during follow up, more than 85% of the beneficiaries had improved sanitary facilities in their households and were using them. Hand washing at critical moments has improved. About 32% of the beneficiaries wash their hands, and this is attributed to the CLTS approach used. One water user from Akoromit sub-county expressed with joy as captured verbatim below: Long Live Koornzaayer foundation! You have improved our lives, we have now known the important of using latrines, you can even look around our environment is now clean, God Bless you! Page 5

6 Latrine Situation at Baseline Latrine situation after implementation Professionals in Rural water supply! Page 6