Water, sanitation & sustainability - Sierra Leone

Project Overview:

This project aims to provide remote villages in Sierra Leone with access to clean water and sanitation facilities, directly addressing pressing issues such as poverty, gender inequality, health problems, and poor hygiene conditions. The project’s core objectives include the installation of wells, the development of market gardens for women, and the integration of climate mitigation strategies into agricultural practices.

Key Achievements
Installation of Five Wells:
A major milestone in this project is the successful construction of five wells across several villages. These wells now provide clean and safe drinking water to over 2,000 people, dramatically reducing the need to travel long distances to fetch water from unsafe sources. This has significantly contributed to reducing waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea, which previously affected large parts of the population. Access to clean water has also had a notable impact on malaria reduction as fewer stagnant water sources are now being used, contributing to a decline in mosquito breeding grounds.

Sanitation Facilities:
Alongside the wells, sanitation facilities are being constructed in the target villages. These facilities are improving hygiene, reducing open defecation, and consequently cutting down the spread of preventable diseases. Community members have been trained on the proper use and maintenance of these facilities, ensuring their long-term sustainability.

Development of Market Gardens:
The project is well underway in establishing market gardens, with a focus on empowering women. The gardens provide women with plots of land and training in sustainable farming practices, enabling them to grow nutritious crops that help combat malnutrition. These gardens are also designed to generate income for women, providing them with economic independence and improving their social standing in the community. Crops grown include vegetables, fruits, and climate-resilient plants that are well-suited to the region's conditions. This initiative has also contributed to food security by providing a consistent supply of fresh produce to the villages.

Challenges
The project villages are extremely remote, and this remoteness posed logistical challenges in transporting materials and resources. Despite these obstacles, the strong support from the community and the perseverance of the project team ensured the successful installation of wells and the commencement of the market gardens. A continued focus on climate adaptation and ongoing community training will be necessary to overcome future challenges.

Financial Update
The total project goal is £2,467, with £1,008 remaining to be raised. So far, 56 donors have contributed to the project, and 2 fundraisers have been initiated to continue gathering the necessary funds to complete the sanitation facilities and expand the market gardens.

Next Steps
Completion of Sanitation Facilities: The next phase focuses on finalizing the construction of latrines to further improve sanitation. Expansion of Market Gardens: Additional women will be given access to the market gardens, and further training will be provided on advanced farming techniques and business management to maximise the gardens’ output and profitability. Scaling Climate Mitigation Measures: We plan to increase the scope of climate resilience efforts by introducing rainwater harvesting systems and further expanding tree planting initiatives to enhance the long-term sustainability of the project.

As the project progresses, we aim to create a self-sufficient community that can manage its own resources and plan for the future, ensuring long-term benefits for all residents.