Kindly donated by Ed & Kimi

Kanjoro is a busy community located 1.5 miles from the town centre of Yei. Like most communities in Yei, when the conflict broke out in 2016, many families scattered. Some fled to the bush, while others went to refugee camps in Uganda or DRC. Unlike many communities, Kanjoro was not wholly abandoned. Many of the original borehole committee members remained during the civil war and did their best to maintain the well.

Joseph Amin is the chairperson of the well committee. He said it became increasingly difficult to monitor the use of the well as everyone was desperate for water. While the well once operated on a schedule and fees were collected, the committee had no choice but to allow all who needed access to water to do so around the clock. With so many suffering and displaced, there was no way to operate as they did during times of peace.

The overuse of the well caused damage to the pump handle and much of the hardware. The teams replaced the pump handle, rusted GI pipes, and metal bearings. As the community works to restore their village, their focus no longer is on water alone/ As they repair their homes, cultivate their crops, and return to the marketplaces the committee members are discussing how to re-establish their systems surrounding day to day operations of the well. They will once again begin charging minor fees for the use of the well understanding that it will take time for people to get back on their feet. They have already put into place hours of operation and have plans to rebuild the fence around the well for protection and the ability to lock up the well during certain times of the day.

This project was undertaken as part of our campaign of projects that actively reduce carbon emissions. This project helped the community save their much needed wood which was previously being burnt daily to boil water. This project has also eliminated the many thousands of hours previously spent on walking to collect water.