Bigogwe residents in Nyabihu district are now enjoying clean running water from taps, thanks to a water, sanitation and hygiene project (WASH) which seeks to extend such facilities also to Musanze, Burera and Rubavu.

State Minister in charge of Water and Energy, Colette Ruhamya (Internet photo)

The project has given hope to many residents in Kijote cell, many of whom formerly lived in Gishwati forest, because the project will improve sanitation by constructing modern latrines. Similarly, 15 health centers and 50 primary school will also be given modern latrines. In total, some 112,500 are expected to be built.

Yet the project aims at more than just the construction of the facilities. In a second phase, there will be a mass public awareness program aimed at teaching people on some of the best practices that promote sanitation, such as washing hands after visiting the lavatory and before eating.

Another part of the project is a 3-kilometer-long water scheme with eight water fountains, which will prevent people in the area from having to walk long distances to fetch water.

“I am planning to come up with something constructive, since I don’t have to waste much time anymore looking for water. And in the past, when I went away to fetch water, my children did chores at home; now I will be around to do them, and the children can go to school punctually,” said Rosa Nyirawera, one of the residents.

Meanwhile, committees have been set up to organize the operations at the fountains and make sure maintenance is carried out.

“We charge ten francs per jerrycan as a contribution to maintenance. We also make sure there is order, for instance by preventing people from jumping the queue.

We also try to avoid people from coming to fetch water and then selling it at a higher price.”

According to the State Minister in charge of Water and Energy, Colette Ruhamya, there is a need for similar initiatives to be applied in other regions as a way of promoting safe water in the country.

“A lot is being done to provide clean water, for instance we are drilling boreholes in rural areas as well constructing more water pipelines in the urban areas,” Ruhamya said.

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