In May we had a quiz Night at St Alban’s in aid of the Deanery links with Busoga. We also sold cards at the beginning of the year for mosquito nets for Busoga. The money we raise is sent to Uganda via the Busoga Trust - so here is an extract from their newsletter.
Who are we?
The Busoga Trust serves people in the "First World" who want to live as one with the poor in the "Third World". We see this to be a common interest because, in reality we are all interdependent. In particular, we believe that all the people of the world should have access to clean drinking water, which is a basic requirement for good health. We are a Christian Mission but we work for the benefit of all people without exception.
Where do we work?
We work anywhere in Uganda and have recently begun working also in neighbouring countries. Our personnel operate out of two bases, one in Luwero and one in Busoga, Uganda. Busoga contains the source of the river Nile where it flows from Lake Victoria. Luwero suffered terribly in the 1980s when it became the ‘killing fields’ of Uganda.
What do we do?
We enable rural people to obtain the priceless benefits of clean drinking water. 29% of deaths among under 5-year-olds in Uganda are caused by foul water, more than from Aids or Malaria, which is part of the worldwide toll of 13,500 deaths of young children every day caused by the effects of foul water. All ages suffer but especially those who are more vulnerable through age or sickness. So far we have completed over 1,350 community water sources, mostly hand-dug wells, protected springs and boreholes. That means clean water for over 675,000 people. However, where no ground water can be found, we construct tanks for rainwater harvesting, both at community institutions and at peoples' houses.
How do we do it?
We help rural people to help themselves. Apart from one young, expatriate Liaison Officer who is paid an honorarium to represent the Trust, all the work is done by local people, both paid and voluntary. We aim for 95% functionality of all water-sources indefinitely and, for full sustainability to be achieved, the local people must take ownership of both the 'hardware' and the 'software'. Hardware includes all the technical aspects of the water-source. Software includes knowing how clean water and general cleanliness affect human health. We put a major emphasis on health education and sanitation, developing model homes and villages via local radio.
Without this knowledge and the behavioural change it brings, 50% of the value of clean water can be lost. Each water source has a caretaker and a technician for upkeep and maintenance and there is a centralised technical back-up if necessary. Each source is managed by its own user committee which collects funds for maintenance. Women and young people are represented on these committees, since they collect most of the water and are most directly affected.
Results of our work
The communities have reported; a big reduction in water-born diseases; the saving of time for other activities; the strengthening and improvement of the position of women; greater local initiative and organisation; the improvement of family harmony because women can now take better care of their husbands and children; and that the risks involved in collecting water have been greatly reduced. Partners in the UK have reported that their lives have been enriched and their eyes opened.
Where do we obtain support?
The basis of our support has always been from private sources in the UK, from people who want to identify with the poor and needy in Africa. This support comes from individuals and from churches, schools, charities and a few companies.
What does it cost?
On average a new water source for a community costs £2,000, inclusive of UK costs. Since 500 people on average are served, £4 provides one person with clean water and health education.
A 20,000 litre rain water harvesting tank for an institution costs £600 and a 6,000 litre rain water harvesting tank for an individual home costs £120 The domestic solution is more costly but in some areas it is the only solution. |
