PROJECT KICKOFF
We are pleased to announce that construction on the Bumba-Kanyinya water system #45 began on May 1, 2018 and was completed on August 21, 2018. Prior to water system construction, by abject necessity residents of the community of 750 people, located in the Tara Colline of the Bururi Province walked extreme distances to natural springs and pools where the water was contaminated.
Preventable, water-borne diseases are the leading cause of death in Burundi, which has the 12th highest child mortality rate globally. Communities with Gazelle Foundation water systems have drastically reduced, and in some cases eliminated, the presence of water-borne illnesses among the families that live in them.
Project Overview
Construction dates: May 1, 2018 - August 21, 2018
Located in Songa commune
Scope: 1.6 km pipeline
1 storage tanks
3 tap stands
Employees: 40 including masons and plumbers
Serves 750 residents
Schematic design of the Bumba-Kanyinya water system show three tap stands attached to 1.1 km of distribution pipeline, and one storage tank connecting distribution pipeline with principle pipeline.
Project Schematics
The first phase of construction is transporting supplies to the work site. Transporting rocks to the construction site is not easy in Burundi. There’s no Home Depot or Lowes, and trucks can only get the materials so far. Meaning rocks, PVC, and bags of concrete are often times transported by hand, or wheelbarrow, to the construction location.
How It Works
Water is captured from a source before it can become contaminated. It is filtered in the collection chamber and flows onward. Entrenched PVC pipe carries water to tanks, and to multiple tap stands. Tap stands are strategically positioned within easy walking distance to schools, churches, community centers and other central locations to maximize access points for residents. Water is available for free to all people regardless of the person’s tribe or religion.
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See a rendering of a typical water system and learn more about how we build water systems.
Source Excavation: Digging is done by hand
Safer Communities
Water collection is a job traditionally done by women and children. Our clean water systems reduce the average distance traveled to access water from 4 miles to one-quarter mile. These shorter distances eliminated the dangers of traversing mountainous terrain, or near dangerous, untreated water sources. It also allows children to spend more time in school, and provides women with time to develop trades or care for home and family.
On The Ground With Jean Bosco
While we couldn’t do the work we do without our supporters here at home, we also rely on our dedicated partners on the ground in Burundi. Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our long-time project manager, is a critical part of the team bringing clean water to those that need it most. He has a front-row seat to the beneficial impact on local economies, health, and education - all due to clean water.
Without access to clean water, people must spend valuable time collecting water for daily use, and they are sick more often, due to preventable water-borne diseases. Both of these have a disproportionate impact on children, whose school attendance suffers because they are needed at home or are simply ill. With clean, accessible water, these barriers to education disappear.
The availability of clean water and the resulting improvements in health and education begin to reverse the cycle of poverty. According to the World Bank, returns on education investment are the largest in Africa over any other continent, and each additional year of schooling raises earnings by 11% for boys and 14% for girls.
Each water system is named for the geographic source of the water and the community where the water is used. The water collection chamber and storage tanks are labeled with the name of the water system. Donors who sponsor water systems or parts of water systems have the opportunity to also have their name on the water collection chamber and storage tanks.
Project Updates
Interim Progress Update 1
Initial materials purchased, site prepared
Secondary materials purchased
Materials purchasing complete
Initial pipeline in place, tap stand construction begins
The system is completed. Locals can retrieve water from all three tap stands!
SYSTEM COMPLETION
The Bumba-Kanyinya water system was completed on August 21, 2018. It serves 750 people. Construction of the system provided work for 40 local residents!
Completion of the Bumba-Kanyinya system brings us 750 people closer to achieving our goal of providing every person in Burundi with clean water, the highest quality of life, and hope within reach.
One of the key components of our work is the handoff of the water system. Upon completion, we turn ownership and stewardship of the system over to the community. The local workers employed to build our systems have the maintenance knowledge that allows for greater long-term viability and sustainability of our systems. Read more about the handover.
JOIN OUR MISSION
This project was funded by wonderful supporters like you. We thank these generous individuals for changing the lives of the people in this community through access to clean water.
Our next water system depends on you! We have 36 months of shovel-ready projects lined up - all we need is your support. Help us give the gift of clean water to those that need it most.