DROP4DROP in Mozambique
Mozambique has one of the lowest rates of water & sanitation coverage in sub-Saharan Africa and has the 22nd highest rate of child mortality worldwide. The country also struggles with floods and earthquakes, which affect the water crisis further. Poverty levels are high; 49% of Mozambicans do not have access to a clean water supply and this figure rises to 62% among rural communities. Non-sustainable water projects are a problem here as communities often lack the knowledge to maintain wells, leading them to fall into disrepair.
DROP4DROP are working with VOX United to help restore broken bore-wells in Mozambique. As well as installing new pumps, a group of around twelve people are trained in basic well maintenance. There is also investment in mechanics who will learn how to refurbish wells. The community will negotiate a fair price with the mechanics for these services. This ensures that repairs will continue to be made even when VOX are not present in the area, securing longevity of the projects.
Health and hygiene practices are also taught and encouraged. Four people are selected to be in charge of sanitation and hygiene. This involves teaching and promoting these practices to the community. Alongside the community leaders, they go to door to door teaching about the importance of hand washing and latrines, encouraging families to build their own. Without steps like health education, well maintenance and community ownership, bore-wells can fall into disrepair. We work to identify these wells and conduct these sustainable measures in order to give the well its second and longer life!