As true of the whole of Uganda, Wakiso is facing water crises. The crises is not a lack of but a limited access to clean and safe water. According to Wakiso District data from March 2004, it is estimated that almost 50% of the population does not have access to safe drinking water. Wakiso District data further indicates that people may travel as far as 3 km to reach a water source. In light of these realities, KACCAD has put priority on well renovation and construction as part of our health program. Currently we are fundraising for construction of a well in Ssumbwe Parish but we are looking for funding to construct still other wells in the district.

Our water and sanitation goal:
By December 2008, KACCAD, in partnership with Wakiso District will construct or repair two wells in Wakiso Sub-County. This work will include water and sanitation education to residents in the surrounding area. This education will take place in the form or two presentations per community on purification of water, maintaining a latrine and related water and sanitation issues. As result, residents in Wakiso Sub-County, including those with HIV/AIDS will have increased access to clean water and be informed as to how reduce the spread of water borne diseases.

In Ssumbwe Parish of Wakiso there are a total of 12 wells for over 10,150 people. An average of 845 people use each well. Of these 12 wells, only three are in functioning condition (2002 census). The others nine "wells" in mall repair could be more accurately called stagnant pools. Contaminants such as cholera, schistosomiasis, amoebic dysentery, other water borne diseases and animal and environmental waste products pollute these wells. These infections especially plague residents in the area during the rainy season when flooding causes severe contamination. Due to the lack of prohibitive barriers, people share these undeveloped wells with animals that can not be kept out. Thus, animal waste mixes with the water further reducing its quality. Human waste similarly mixes with the water due to the fact that few families have toilets in good repair and thus excreta outside. For community members who are generally very poor it is not an option to hire transportation to travel to the few developed wells in the parish. These realities make it clear that well development is of fundamental importance in Ssumbwe and the district.

With these realities in mind, the development of wells in Ssumbwe Perish has been identified as a fundamental need for community wellbeing. As water is central to human life, KACCAD sees that development of a safe water supply in the area as one of the first steps to support community health. We sincerely hope for your assistance in meeting this need for Ssumbwe Parish.

KACCAD proposes to construct a spring well where there is a natural spring in Ssumbwe Parish. Spring wells are common in Wakiso District and have proven to be most economical, sustainable and long lasting of wells constructed in the area. Because they are common, expertise for well construction will be easy to find as will needed materials. Building a spring well requires piping the natural spring and constructing a structure to hold the water over flow and divert it into an already existing out flow. The structure will have steps and a platform for people fetching water to stand on so they are not forced to step in the water to collect it. (The specific well we plan on developing presently requires that people stand in the water in order to fetch it.)

Labour for this project will be provided on a voluntary basis by community members in the sounding area who will benefit most from the wells installation. Community members will clear the site in preparation for construction and they will provide labour support in well construction. To conduct this project KACCAD is in need of material support in the way of bricks, cement and piping. A technical expert will also be paid to lead the project. The project budget follows below.

Sustainability of the Well
The Parish Local Councils receives 5% of the tax collected from property sales in the parish. These funds are used for maintenance of local infrastructure including wells. When constructed, the responsibility of well maintenance will fall on the parish. Parish Local Council leaders are very much in support of the project and have agreed to take responsibility for ensuring that funding is allocated for well repairs. When property sales tax is not enough KACCAD and the parish will look for other maintenance funding.

Timeline for Well Construction
Upon receiving funding, KACCAD will organize with the Local Council (local government) to mobilize community members for well building support. Technical support persons are already identified. Materials will be purchased and the project will be able to reach completion after approximately three months time. The completion of the project will depend on when funding is received.

These photos are of spring wells in Wakiso follow. These wells need some repairs but give an example of what a spring well looks like. The photo that looks like a pond is of the spring we are planning to develop.

Development of clean and safe water sources is of fundamental importance to Wakiso District and Ssumbwe Parish. Your support for a well construction will help us provide clean water to over 845 people in our community and will increase the total of safe wells in the district. This gift to the community will help support health and wellbeing of some of the poorest community members in the district.

Budget:

* The figures listed are based on $1= 1,740 Ugandan Shillings. This exchange rate may fluctuate slightly between when this proposal is submitted and funds are received *