Gundom Cameroon: 2008-2009

Water Distribution System

The remote village of Gundom, perched on a ridge on the edge of the Bome Valley in the Northwest Province of Cameroon, is currently unable to meet the basic water needs of its residents. Consisting of only thirty households that rely on subsistence agriculture, the village is one of the poorest in the region.

Kob, Cameroon: 2007-2008

Gravity Fed Water Distribution System

The village of Kob, Cameroon needs to secure a water supply to meet the basic requirements of residents and public buildings. Without a sufficient supply of water, the community has suffered from poor sanitation and a multitude of water-borne diseases, many of which affect the children. Furthermore, the lack of clean water has prevented a recently completed regional health center from opening, leaving 15,000 individuals in the surrounding area without adequate access to medical services. In addition to the center, a church and a nursery school that serve the region are adding greater demand for a clean water supply.

Terreritos Honduras: 2006-2007

Pit Latrines and Water Distribution

PennEWB returned to Terreritos to assist in the initiation of a latrine program and to attend the official inauguration of the water system. The team broke into workgroups to help individual families construct latrines based upon a government design in common use in the region. Upon departing this group also worked with the local Patranato (community council) to arrange a system for the remaining families to receive materials and any assistance necessary by skilled community members such as masons in completing construction of a latrine.

Prior to 1995, the community extracted their required daily water from small and sparse wells and springs located on the outskirts of the community. As many of these wells ran dry, the supply proved insufficient for the 25 families that lived in the town at that time. In 1995, the community obtained the support to install a water system at a spring located two kilometers away. At the time, this system met the needs of the community. However, the population has since grown significantly, bringing the total number of homes to 46. As a result the water system was no longer sufficient. The lack of a proper water system led to problems of health, hygiene and diet in the community. The villagers of Terreritos, Honduras, were lacking a sufficient amount of clean water to meet their basic needs. Additionally, as of 2006, fewer than ten households had access to a latrine. This condition further contributed to health and hygiene related problems.