Westbourne Rotary Club were delighted to make a life changing contribution to the rural village of Jafai Kuta in The Gambia by working in partnership with water and sanitation charity Africa Water Enterprises.
Sue and Richard Burnett, who are members of the club, visited the village last year and saw the desperate need for the residents to have access to a safe, clean and sustainable water supply.
The club has been able to work with Africa Water Enterprises to install not only a borehole, which is now fully operational, but also three new, innovative eWATER taps. These taps harness the growing technological advancement in the country, as more and more households gain access to mobile phones and home solar power systems.
Residents are now able to purchase credit which is then scanned and exchanged for water using the taps’ electronic tagging systems. Each 20 litre jerry can costs just half a pence and means that clean water is delivered in exact quantities with not a single drop going to waste. All funds collected ensure that any future repairs to the systems are paid for, making the project truly sustainable.
Sue, who visited the village again in February to see the project’s progress first hand, commented: “In a world where we take water for granted, we must remember that not everyone has this luxury and this leads to many water borne illnesses and premature deaths. Westbourne Rotary Club’s motto is ‘Making Dreams Real within Communities’ and they have done just that for the residents of this West African village.”
To view a gallery of Sue and Richard’s trip, visit Westbourne Rotary Club’s Facebook page.
This article was published as part of Rotary Good News Week. To follow Rotary Good News Week, find us on Facebook and Twitter and share your stories using the hashtag #RotaryGoodNewsWeek.
Read our other Good News Stories from this week below:
- Rotary Club of Melksham Art House Café
- Teddies let loose by Rotary Club of Hitchin Tilehouse
- Interactors receive Diana Award
Published: Wednesday 13th April 2016
