Kato is 11 years old and a resident of Namayumba Village. Today he was absent from school, though he said he has exams in a few days. Asked why he didn’t go to school, Kato said he needs to collect enough water for his Mum to do washing. This means he makes at least 4 trips to this well, using more than 5 hours and walking about 12km in total. He will be very tired when he sits for the examinations.
Namayumba village is a rural community located in Nazigo sub county – Kayunga district, Uganda
The village has approximately 180 households and a school with 323 pupils. The majority of the people in this village are subsistence farmers mainly growing maize and pineapples for sale and cassava and sweet potatoes for food. The village is not connected to the national grid for water or electricity. Access to clean and safe water is estimated to be at less than 95% because the nearest borehole is more than 5kms away. People resort to using dirty water from surface ponds and streams. This water often makes them sick (especially the children). The little income families get from pineapple sales will often be used to pay medical bills. Many children will be absent from school or even drop out of school completely because of the hardships associated with collecting water.
The village got to know about the community funded well program and approached us with a request to participate. They have raised their down payment and an appropriate drilling spot has been established.