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A community needs assessment carried out with the help of the Rwanyabihuka Village Rotary Community Corps (RCC) identified lack of safe water for domestic use as the most pressing need for the community. With the help of funds from the Rotary Club of Horsham, USA and The Rotary Foundation (TRF), the Rotary Club of Ibanda, Uganda, constructed two protected shallow water wells in the village in 2010. At the inauguration of the wells (on 21^st June 2010) the beneficiaries expressed joy and gratitude to the Rotary Community for making their dreams come true.

The members of the Rotary Club of Ibanda paid a follow up visit to Rwanyabihuka Village on 8^th March 2011 (International Womens’ Day) to assess what impact the water wells had made on the lives of the community of Rwanyabihuka Village. We found the two wells in good working order and we were informed that there had been no mechanical malfunction from the water pumps. A water well maintenance committee had been formed to ensure that the areas around the wells were kept tidy and clean and, in particular, protected from animal and human waste.

Examples of how the water wells had changed the lives of the beneficiaries were:

(a)         The protected water wells had removed the possibility of children drowning in open ponds previously used for drawing water. There had been a case of drowning prior to the construction of the protected wells.

(b)         We were informed that the community had empirically observed a reduction in the number of small children suffering from diarrhea and vomiting.

The community pointed out that there are many members of community who live far away from the two water wells and identified three other suitable sites for the construction of more water wells. 

Rotarian Francis G Rushambuza,

Director, Service Projects, Rotary Club of Ibanda, Uganda.