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Development Sector: Water
Conditions
For most of us our day does not begin with a walk several miles long to a river or pond to fill a water container with our entire day’s usage. Unfortunately, prior to the NEA’s implementation of well-digging programs, this was the case for many people in Northern Ghana. As a local villager,knowing that the water supply was susceptible to disease, your hands felt tied. Preventive measures were too expensive, expertise and know-how was limited while government resources focused elsewhere. For thousands of individuals this was the norm. Very early in NEA’s work the need for clean water was apparent. Guinea worm and other water-borne diseases were rampant - diarrhea/dehydration claimed young and elderly lives. Men, women and children were suffering needlessly from disease and illness that could be easily prevented by providing a source of clean safe drinking water. The repercussions rippled throughout the villages Women constantly tended to their sick children coupled with a great deal of time spent traveling back and forth over great distances to water sources. Possibilities for self-improvement were constantly hindered by having to meet these needs. Today, the story is quite different. The well digging program has been implemented at both project sites and has had tremendous impact.
Janga project
No of hand dug wells:75
Deg project:
5 drilled and 9 hand-dug wells
South Mo project:
5drilled,2 hand-dug
Number of people benefiting from these wells:approximately 15,000
Average distance for women to travel to water sources prior to well digging program:1 - 12 miles
Average distance for women to travel to water sources after well-digging program: 100 yards