Water & Sanitation in Kouse-Jingiri
We’ve kick-started development in Kouse-Jingiri, where the residents of this remote Ghanaian village are thriving on a new safe water source and better sanitation.
GENERAL
Located in Upper Eastern Ghana, Kouse-Jingiri is home to 1,907 people. A lack of safe water and next to no sanitation meant open defecation was common here, and diseases caused by contaminated water and poor hygiene were rampant. The villagers were were forced to seek out expensive medical aid, when they scarcely had enough food. Their women and children walked long distances each day to fetch clean water. Often they endangered their lives to do so. But now things are different.
With the support of passionate UK donors, and hands on participation from the local community, MGR installed a borehole water system in the centre of the village. The well has a water storage tank and functions with a motorised hand-pump that runs on solar energy.
MGR also installed a covered sewage and waste management system to accommodate public sanitation facilities. We built separate latrines, showers and ablution taps for men and women of the village.
Once construction was completed, MGR staff on the ground conducted awareness raising sessions with the local community about hygiene. We’ve already seen a marked improvement in sanitation and a reduction of water borne diseases.
Among the villagers of Kouse-Jingiri there is a positive sense of community ownership of the public hand-pump and sanitation facilities. In a short space of time, it’s made such a difference in their lives.
A clean water source that’s easily accessible, has brought improved health and well-being to the whole village. It’s meant their women and children are safe, and now have more time to spend being productive or attending school. A surplus of water has also meant that people are able to wash clothes and clean their homes more regularly.
Kosei-Jingiri’s public toilets have put an end to open defecation, and offered women the benefit of feeling safe, when they need to relieve themselves. While the shower and ablution facilities have made it easier for people to wash and bathe.
At MGR, Water and Sanitation projects come first on our list of ways to create sustainable development in rural communities. We know that with simple solutions we can turn lives around. Donate now to give water.