Gambia Lifewater Project

Improving Rural Clean Water Access in The Gambia, West Africa

Jeremy Mak, RPCV The Gambia ‘11 | (315) 884-2358 | jemak@syr.edu

Project Country: The Gambia, West Africa

Project Area: Central River Region, North and South Banks, The Gambia

Our Mission“We work to build local capacity for village-based

hand-pump management, raise awareness and education of water, sanitation, and hygiene issues, advocate for policies

and development priorities that protect or improve access to clean water, and support community hand-pump

rehabilitation projects.”

Our Vision“We envision a future where all Gambians have access

to clean water; a future where no rural community suffers from water shortages, broken water

infrastructure, or waterborne diseases. We imagine a Gambia where all citizens have their domestic,

agricultural, and livestock water needs met by reliable access to a safe and adequate water supply”

Water Access in Gambian Villages

• Decentralized water access• Variety of water needs – domestic, agriculture,

livestock• Collecting water a hardship, especially for women and

girls

Unreliable Water Supply, High number of Aging and Broken Mark II Handpumps

Return to Open Wells and Increase in Waterborne Diseases

Mark II Pump Repair and Maintenance

Increasing Water Access with Bluepumps

Work to Date (8/2011-6/2012): 5,000 women, children, and men from 11 villages with increased clean water access• 10 communities receiving free repairs for 18 Mark II pumps

• 3 communities each receiving 1 free Bluepump

• Extremely cost effective: 3 WC Grants x $555 = $1,665

• Dankunku (2)• Fula Kunda (2)• Sara Sambel (1)• Choya (1)• Madina Wallom (1)

• Kaani Kunda Suba (4)• Kaani Kunda Tendala (4)• Sinchu Njabo (1)• Touba Murit (1)• Naani Kunda (2)

• Sare Lefa (1)• Madina Wallom (1)• Choya (1)

Five Year Plan – (2012-2017)• FY 1-2:  Continue repairs/installations in CRR, sensitization

on pump maintenance, focus on Bluepumps (Dec 2012 trip – 15 Bluepumps/micro-irrigation plant)

• FY 1-2: Develop relationship with U.S. Peace Corps to replicate blue-zone concept.

• FY 3-5: Expand efforts geographically & on scale (region), & with programs and services. Build capacity to further expand services

• FY 4-5: Implement water–related added value services (micro-irrigation)

• FY 5+: Develop toolkit for similar NGOs, increase scale of operations and funding, move towards drilling/solar pumps

Questions?

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