"Water, Water, Everywhere, Nor Any Drop To Drink"

In an effort to provide greater access to clean water throughout Uganda, my organization is working with the communities of Peace Corps Volunteers throughout the country to build rainwater-harvesting tanks. Before we build the tanks we need to assess the community’s sources of water, the community’s water needs, and estimate what percent of the water needs are currently being met by the existing water sources. The majority of Ugandans depend on open water sources (lakes, rivers, streams, etc.) for their water supply but these sources are not protected, animals have access to the water, and as a result the water is most likely contaminated. Diarrheal disease and death associated with diarrhea are prevalent throughout much of Uganda but we hope that through our work we can alleviate this problem.

Why is safe water and sanitation important?

1. As of 2008, 40% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa did not have access to an improved water source and 69% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa did not have access to an improved sanitation facility

2. 88% of deaths associated with diarrhea are due to lack of access to sanitation facilities and safe drinking water

3. The impact of diarrheal disease on children under 15 years of age, is greater than the combined effect of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis

4. For each dollar invested in water and sanitation, eight dollars are returned in increased productivity

5. 443 million school days are lost each year due to water related diseases

These photos were taken during an assessment at a volunteer’s site just outside Queen Elizabeth National Park.