LIBERIA: WASH Media assesses project in Cape Mount
…Beneficiaries Commend CODES, WaterAid – By: WASH R&E “Media” Network – The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Reporters and Editors Network of Liberia (WASH R&E) has ended a WASH assessment visit to Tewor and Gola Konneh Districts in Grand Cape Mount County. The visit was aimed at getting an insight of the rural WASH project and its impact on beneficiaries.
Town Chief James Faika of Sinje Town testifying about the WASH intervention
The WASH project is implemented by the Community Development Services (CODES) with supported from WaterAid in Liberia, through Irish Aid funding.
It is intended to create an enabling WASH environment for rural communities in the county.
The WASH project targets schools and communities in Tewor and Gola Konneh Districts with hand pumps construction & rehabilitation, and participatory Hygiene and sanitation program.
The assessment was also followed by CODES and Public Works WASH Team in Cape Mount.
Hand Pump constructed for citizens of Ngajibomah in Tewor District
Speaking to WASH Reporters in the county, CODES Executive Director, Tamba Bundor said beneficiaries have been trained in order to maintain WASH facilities given them under the WaterAid-Irish Aid WASH Project.
Mr. Bundor said the program in the county has greatly impacted beneficiaries, teaching new skills and techniques in maintaining the facilities provided them.
He said the training provided beneficiaries a broader knowledge to repair damaged facilities.
Hand Pump facility at Public School
The CODES Executive Director commended the beneficiaries of the two Districts for the high level of corporation exhibited during the implementation of the project.
Mr. Bundor noted that hand wash facilities and hand pumps constructed will provide the full package of WASH in the two schools: “Burphy and Lofa Congo Public Schools”.
He expressed optimism that with the training community residents have received, they will take full ownership and that the issue of sustainability will be a priority.
The CODES Executive Director disclosed that the intervention of his organization in Cape Mount has completed projects started by the Sustainable Livelihood Promoters Programme (SLPP), a local NGO in the county implementing WaterAid WASH projects.
Hand WASH facility at Bumah Public School
Also speaking , Public Works WASH Coordinator in Grand Cape Mount, Abel Sherman congratulated community residents for the level of team work exhibited during the execution of the WASH project in their respective communities.
Mr. Sherman said the project was designed to elevate the WASH status of beneficiaries.
He said the purpose was also intended to protect them from illnesses spread through water bore diseases and unhygienic conditions.
The Public Works WASH Coordinator on behalf of the government used the occasion to commend development partners for their contribution to the WASH sector.
For their part, beneficiaries commended WaterAid through CODES for successfully implementing such a program in their respective communities.
Making remarks, the principal of the Bumah Public School, Gbeezzie Dassen said the WASH project at his school has contributed immensely to a conducive environment at the school.
Mr. Dassen said the WASH project has contributed to students attending school every day and staying in classes until the end of the school day.
He is meanwhile calling on WaterAid and Irish Aid to assist Bumah Dassen, the town in which the school is located with a hand pump.
According to the him, residents of the town are drinking from nearby creeks due to the lack of safe drinking water.
In remarks students and authorities at the Burphy Public School disclosed that the WASH in School package provided by CODES through the WaterAid-Irish Aid project is serving as a great source of encouragement to the learning process at the school.
The authorities say the project has contributed to increment in the school’s population.
Student Satta Fahnbulleh, treasure of the school’s health club, revealed that teaching provided them on Menstrual hygiene by CODES has helped female students greatly.
Student Fahnbulleh said the teaching on menstrual hygiene has provided female students the opportunity to take care of themselves properly during the menstrual period.
Hand WASH facility at Sinje Public School
Also, speaking to WASH Reporters, the Town Chief of Sinje Town in Tewor, James Faika testified that open defecation was high in the community, something he said is now of the past.
Chief Faika pointed out the intervention of CODES has restored the dignity of the community.
He said community residents are now taking the issue of improved WASH very serious and are no longer drinking creek water.
The WASH project also provided the platform for residents in these towns and communities to benefit from hand pump mechanic and training.
Another resident, Siamai Wai said he was trained by CODES to help maintain the facilities in his District, Tewor.
Wai told WASH Reporters that he got interested in the training due to the frequent break down of hand pumps in the District.
He said through the training, he is now assisting in the repair and maintenance of hand pumps in the District.
Towns that benefited from the WASH initiatives in Tewor and Gola Konneh include Sinje, Bomah Dassen, Kpenekor, Ngardhun, Ngajin Bomah and Kormah.
Others are Kpotolu, Kaybay, Gbenii, Gbessiah, Perry Farm, Burphy and Lofa Congo Public Schools.
