The majority of people in Uganda live in rural areas and rely on natural resources for their livelihoods. Many communities lack easy access to clean water, meaning they live with the risks associated with waterborne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid. The water is oftentimes collected by children, interrupting time they could spend attending school. To ensure their water is safe families are required to collect or purchase wood or charcoal for burning, leading to more and more deforestation. Levels of air pollution and CO2 emissions are especially high in homes or close to homes as a result of burning firewood and charcoal to boil water.

The SCIF safe water project refurbishes existing and installs new freshwater boreholes in areas that currently don’t have access to clean water. The boreholes provide communities with easy access to potable water, for drinking, cooking and for use in farming. Where possible boreholes have also been developed into production wells, distributing water to several villages. Family members, especially women and children no longer need to walk to distant water sources and spend time collecting wood to boil water before consumption, freeing up time for study and other activities and reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.

Refurbishing and installing boreholes ensures easy access to clean and safe water for families. This also means sufficient and free water is available for irrigation of agricultural land and for tending to the needs of animals, contributing to the development of the local subsistence economy. The project has positive impacts on people’s health and wellbeing by reducing the adverse health effects associated with unsafe water usage. Households spend less time and money on collecting and buying firewood to boil water. This time and money is invested into income-generating activities, including starting and expanding small businesses and agricultural activities. Children no longer need to walk to remote unclean water sources, but can attend school.

This has led to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of wood for purifying drinking water – as such installing and maintaining boreholes reduces the amount of carbon being emitted, thereby generating carbon credits. All installed boreholes are accompanied by community-led water, sanitation and hygiene education programmes implemented by our partners WaterAid Uganda.

The refurbished boreholes are maintained by a team of trained handpump mechanics. SCIF is working with district officials and the Handpump Mechanics Association to recruit and train additional mechanics, especially women. This opens up new opportunities and ensures families have a steady and future-proof source of income.

Watch Ritah’s story below to find out more about how her work on SCIF boreholes has made a difference to the community and her family.