Rural health facilities in Bombali District are in deplorable condition, primarily because they lack of safe water. The facility pictured has a catchment population of 5, 077 but no water source. It largely depends on swamp water. When a woman goes to the facility for childbirth, relatives are requested to collect water from the swamps or bring water from their houses.
That will soon change! White Field Partners, along with Freetown Sunset Rotary Club and World Hope International have been awarded an $85,000 Rotary International Foundation Global Grant to install wells at five rural health facilities. These wells will produce water year-round. A water committee will be organized and trained to manage and maintain the well. Community members will receive sanitation and hygiene training. Safe water at the rural health facilities will improve Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures, reduce risks of maternal and newborn deaths, and ensure clean, safe and well-managed health facilities. We believe these projects will save lives and contribute to the long-term development of these communities.
Partner donors include Rotary District 6420, Rotary District 6450, and several Rotary clubs in Illinois and Iowa. Thank you, Rotarians!