Ghana
Safe water at Compassion centres in Ghana
Giving children in Ghana the gift of clean water to help save lives
Water & Sanitation
The Need
In Ghana, many people still do not have access to safe, clean water. While the nation has made strides in providing citizens with improved water sources, thousands of children under the age of five are still dying every year from illnesses related to poor sanitation or unsafe water. Compassion is working with local churches in the Afram Plains region, where children are especially vulnerable.
Families typically get their water from the rivers there, which are contaminated and filled with harmful parasites and bacteria. As a result, illnesses like cholera, diarrhea and typhoid are common among children. Left untreated, these diseases can be life-threatening.
To make the situation worse, the river is some distance away from where most families live. Compassion beneficiaries in these communities trek more than 20 minutes each way just to fetch some water for bathing or cooking—a journey that many of them have to take several times before going to school in the morning. By the time this exhausting endeavour is done, children are so tired that they struggle to focus in class.
Our partners were desperate to improve this situation for children and their families. They had been spending large amounts of money to buy purified water for children to access at the centre, but these funds were needed to fund their holistic programming. Staff, teachers and church leaders met to discuss possible solutions that included a mechanized borehole as well as large water reservoirs placed at strategic points in the communities. But to accomplish this ambitious project, they needed help.
Our Response
With your generous support, this intervention began in May 2020 with the intent of serving the communities of Ekye Amanfrom and Agordeke. However, a significant amendment was made after another organization drilled a borehole in Ekye Amanfrom and discovered that the water yield and quality was low. After some discussion, the church in Ekye Amanfrom decided to work with a water treatment technology company instead to treat water from the river. In consultation with Compassion’s partnership facilitator for the region, it was then decided to transfer the borehole intervention to the Ramseyer Child Development Centre in the community of Maame Krobo, which is also in the Afram plains cluster and in desperate need of clean water. The budget was increased and the timeline was extended by two months to cover these changes.
Committees from both churches were formed to monitor and supervise the project at each stage. Suitable drilling companies were hired to drill and develop the facilities for the water supply. The centre in Agordeke contracted a company to install a solar system to power the facility. Working with local leaders and community representatives, church committees selected four sites for the boreholes. A hydrogeologist was also hired to confirm the availability and quality of groundwater at each borehole site. Community members were eager and supportive throughout the intervention, even providing workers with food during construction, and young men in the communities helped to clear the sites.
By March 2021, the borehole drilling and development was completed at both centres. Four 10,000-litre water reservoirs and platforms were also installed. Beneficiaries and caregivers attended hygiene education sessions led by representatives from the Environmental Health department. Topics included water storage and usage, sanitation at home, hand washing and how to maintain good personal hygiene. Participants practised proper hand washing and learned how hand hygiene can prevent the spread of illnesses, including COVID-19. Together with community leaders, church partners agreed to levy households a small monthly fee for water access that will go towards the ongoing maintenance of the boreholes and tanks.
Your Gift Provides...
● Two mechanized boreholes, including:
○ Hydrological survey for two borehole sites
○ Cost of mobilization, drilling and construction
○ Test pumping
○ Water quality testing
○ Borehole capping and supply and installation of submersible pump
● Two 10,000-litre water reservoirs, including two tanks, surface pumps and automatic starters
● Six handwashing stations, three for each church, including:
○ Assorted PVC pipes and fittings
○ Cement, sand, stones, iron rods, wood and nails
○ Transportation cost for materials
○ Skilled (construction, carpentry, masonry, plumbing) and unskilled labour
○ Steel bender
● Hygiene education for 388 children and their caregivers, including:
○ Honorarium for health experts
○ Venue and snacks
● Monitoring and evaluation
ReportA message from a pastor
The provision of the mechanized borehole has brought a significant change in the lives of the beneficiaries and their families, as well as the entire community. They no longer walk long distances to fetch water as they used to, as there are access points to the borehole within the community. The facility is close to the school, so children and teachers have access to potable water all the time. The school children are seen fetching water into their water bottles every now and then from the access point. At the centre, the work of the volunteer cooks have been made easier, as they can now access potable water without travelling far to prepare meals for the beneficiaries during meetings. This has been a relief to them compared to the previous situation.
The completion of this borehole has brought excitement in the lives of the beneficiaries and the community. Before, the church and community members depended on the river as the source of water, which is usually contaminated. Now, the church and community members, including the beneficiaries and their households, do not have to suffer to get access to potable water. They always sing praises to God for such a wonderful opportunity.
This intervention has improved the punctuality of the beneficiaries to centre and church meetings, since they don’t have to walk for hours in search of water for household use. This has also made my work and that of the child development workers much easier because the beneficiaries come to meetings on time, giving us ample time to do curriculum activities. Regular hand washing is a priority for the centre, since it helps in preventing infection and diseases, particularly in this COVID-19 era to prevent the spread of the virus. With the completed borehole facility always available for use, it is now easier for the child development workers to ensure that the beneficiaries practise hand washing and are consistent.
Thank you so much for helping free us from the water challenge that confronted us in the community. Now, we have water that is wholesome for use for the beneficiaries, their families, the church and the community as a whole. Our hearts are full of gratitude for your financial support.
ReportA message from those your gift helped
Before this intervention, my grandmother woke us up early to go and fetch water from the river, which is far from our house. Because of this, I always got to school late and usually missed the early lessons in class. I also didn’t know the importance of good hygiene and how to properly keep my body and environment clean.
With the mechanized borehole, I spend only a short time fetching water since it is close to our house. We no longer struggle to get safe water to use in the house. Also, I now go to school early to study because I can get good water from a short distance in the community. In addition, I know how to wash my hands well because of the hygiene education that was given.
Because of this intervention, I will no longer struggle in search of potable water again. I will also be punctual to meetings at the centre and improve my participation in the curriculum lessons. This water will contribute to healthy living and personal development since my health is improving.
I have been educated on personal hygiene and good sanitation practices. I learned how to properly wash my hands whenever I visit the toilet to avoid germs and diseases like cholera. I also learned the importance of drinking enough water each day to keep me healthy.
Thank you so much for your support. I pray for the Lord’s mercies and protection upon you.
ReportThank you for your generosity
With your help, 388 children from two Compassion centres and their families—a total of 1,428 people—now have access to safe, clean water. They are elated and are so grateful for this timely intervention.
Before, households depended on unhygienic sources of water, causing chronic illnesses among children and threatening their education and future. Now, a challenge that once felt insurmountable has been overcome. Today, Compassion-assisted children and caregivers in Agordeke and Maame Krobo have access to potable water for use at home and at the centre without having to make long and arduous journeys. They have stopped depending on the water from the river and are free from the risk of water-borne diseases.
Beneficiaries, their caregivers and some other community members have also been educated on sanitation, hygiene and proper hand washing. By maintaining these healthy habits, children’s health and physical development will continue to improve. They will be able to attend school and the activities at their Compassion centres without the disruptions caused by fetching water. As families share their knowledge with others, entire communities will learn how to use and store water properly and how to prevent hygiene-related illnesses.
Your gift has also blessed and encouraged local churches, who are working so hard to serve children and families living in poverty. This intervention has increased churches’ visibility and influence in their communities. As more people continue to learn about the church and Compassion’s holistic programming, even more lives will be transformed. Thank you for showing the love of Christ!