Clean Water Improves Patient Care in Rural Zambia

Since our last report, progress on the water project slowed because of delays in shipping of materials for the next steps of construction. We are happy to report that most of the materials needed to finish the project have now arrived in Mwandi or will be arriving shortly according to the suppliers. 

Using materials received recently, construction of scaffolding for smaller tanks for staff residences began (see lead picture). Additionally, the foundations for the shelters that will house the filter system and pump sets have been completed (see picture below). Our project manager states that when the remaining materials arrive in Mwandi, the scaffolding for the main tanks will be erected, under the supervision of construction experts, and the tanks will be lifted to the top of the scaffolding with a crane. Once the tanks are in place and the UV filtering system and pump sets are installed in the shelters, the entire system will be connected to the underground reticulation system and the water will flow to the hospital! We are hopeful that this will occur very soon after the final materials arrive in Mwandi.

As always, we are most grateful for the generosity of our donors. We hope that our next report we will be able to announce that the new water system is fully functional and meeting all expectations for providing clean water to the Mwandi hospital. We are almost there!!!