Joys of Self-Reliance: Impact of TCF – UNICEF Water program in Nigeria

Hand-pump boreholes are the most reliable water sources for the rural communities. They are not very difficult to maintain, provided community takes the ownership and skilled mechanics and spare-parts are available within easy access of the community. Over the years, it was observed that with a little support and capacity building of rural communities, they take the ownership of their water sources and maintain them.

Tulsi Chanrai Foundation’s Mission for Water Program also had a similar experience with Amakpora Ibe-Ano community of Onicha Local Government, Ebonyi State. In 1998, UNICEF installed a new hand-pump in that community. This was the only water source for a population of more than 570 persons. The hand pump was y maintained by Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Ebonyi State. With time, as the number of hand pumps in the State increased, older hand pumps were neglected and the community of Amakpora Ibe-An were left with a non-functional hand-pump. This condition prevailed for four years till TCF-UNICEF partnership programme (PCA-2) intervened. The community was sensitized for formation of water users committee (WASHCOM) and generating community resources for regular repair and maintenance. Two private Local Area Mechanics were also trained in the LGA and supply of fast-moving spare-parts ensured through a private retail outlet.

Community got their hand-pump back in order after a long gap. Community, especially the elders and youths now realise importance of self-reliance and are committed to maintain the hand-pump with their own resources. Days of suffering have ended for their daily need.

Leni Water

Leni village has a total population of 4,735 people and government provided 5 hand-pumps and one motorized water supply system, unfortunately none of the hand-pumps were functional. One of the centrally located hand-pump was vandalized by private mechanics and later on the children. All accessories were stolen and the bore-hole was completely filled with stones, sand and garbage.
TCF Water Program Team with all its effort reactivated the borehole in 3 days. At village level Water and Environmental Sanitation Committee was formed. The Committee now looks after the safely and proper handling of the hand-pump with the help of local trained artisans and designated Hand-pump Care Taker.

Oban is a comparative larger community under Akampa Local Government Area. It was once known as major market in the area for micro-forest products and other farm products. The State Government through Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWATSSA) provided five hand-pumps for the community couple of years back. Unforunately over time, most of the hand-pumps had been vandalized and boreholes were filled with stones and garbage. Community was left with no source of drinking water other than the contaminated steam which is located at a distance of over 2 kilometers.

Prevalence of water born diseases was high. Infant and child mortality due to diarrhea and dehydration were also reported. The community had a only one cottage hospital to cater to their medical needs. This hospital had one hand-pump which was non-functional for past three years. Doctor, other hospital staff and neighboring families had no option but to use the same stream water for the hospital, personal consumption and for the patients.

The activities of TCF-RUWATSSA rehabilitating hand pumps team in other parts of the Local Government reached a group of likeminded people in the community and they approached Agency Office. Within a few days, the community mobilization team visited and organized meetings with the village Chief and other elders. WESCOMs were formed and community nominated few youths for training on repair-maintenance of hand-pumps.

The community actively participated and in addition to Cottage Hospital hand-pumps two more are rehabilitated and made re-functional. It has brought relief to villagers who were spending hours and traveling a long distance to get water.

The Paramount Ruler of the area expresses his feelings – “I am Happy! My people are happy! We thank for work well done. We never expected these boreholes can give water anymore.”

Tulsi Chanrai Foundation is implementing rural drinking water sources rehabilitation programme in Kebbi State since 1997-98. Argungu local government area has one of the largest number of TCF rehabilitated hand-pumps is located.
Tungar Gimba is one community which did not participate in the development process at all. In spite of TCF Kebbi Water Programme Team’s several efforts of community mobilization, villagers did not agree to the process and continued fetching drinking water from two open hand-dug wells. The dug wells are extremely shallow and located very close to village pond. Water was turbid and full of suspended contaminants. Gastroenteritis, diarrheal dehydration and other water born diseases were very common in the community, which worsened during monsoons.

In November 2006 TCF Team once again approached them and this time the community came forward unexpectedly. Within two hours all the village elders organized a meeting and decisions taken to get their hand-pumps fixed not functioning for past 15 months. WES Committee formed, community contribution collected, two youths selected for training and required construction material arranged within 4 days.

On 26 November 2006 the hand-pumps rehabilitated and handed over to the community for their use.

In November 2006 TCF and RUWATSSA approached UNICEF for support for rehabilitation of non-functional hand-pumps. In January 2007 a joint team of TCF-RUWATSSA rehabilitated 25 non-functional hand-pumps in Obubra LGA with active community participation.

The programme was appreciated at various levels and UNICEF Nigeria initiated dialogues with TCF for more such partnership interventions in the field of rural water sources maintenance.

TCF undertook the training of WESCOM representatives of Guma Local Govt in Benue state in Nigeria. The training focused on village level maintenance of hand pumps. Tool kits were also distributed during the training.

UNICEF-TCF Training:

A five-day training program was organized in Argungu for UNICEF-TCF supported project personnel from four states. Two handpump mechanics from each state i.e. total of eight handpump mechanics from UNICEF-TCF supported project and seven hand-pump mechanics from the TCF Kebbi Water Program participated in the training. Training was provided on technical aspects of the handpump, rehabilitation, troubleshooting and community mobilization. The Training also covered field experience to give actual practical skill building. UNICEF consultants from Abuja also attended the training.
TCF has signed a PCA with UNICEF Country Office, Nigeria to implement TCF’s program for rehabilitation of 160 Non-functional Hand-pumps in 4 States viz. Benue, Osun, Kwara and Kano. The program would be managed by TCF’s Program Manager to be based at Abuja