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Hand-Pump
Projects
The Unforgotten
coordinated with the
Zambian Ministry of
Community Development
and Social Services in
our projects.
Project Status
We drilled a borehole and installed a
handpump in the peri-urban village of
Ngwerere, which is 11 km outside of
Lusaka, in March 2011.
August 2010
Rabecca, in August 2010, visited the peri-urban village of Ngwerere, which
Rabecca, in August 2010, visited the peri-urban village of Ngwerere, which
Development Officer (Mrs. Mercy Muyenga Daka), based in Lusaka, the is
11 km outside of Lusaka.  Coordinating with the District Community
UNforgotten met with over 40 community members.  Ngwerere is a
candidate for a drinking water project.
Although the community looked favorably upon the idea of water harvesting, especially the idea of having a water storage system to store water
for long periods, they didn't think it was the best choice for their village.  Water harvesting is Rabecca discussed the concept of water harvesting
with the villagers, and sought their input on what type of drinking water improvements a technique especially useful for areas suffering from
periodic drought.  However, the villagers explained that in Ngwerere, water is rather plentiful and easily accessible with shallow wells.  The
problem is that the quality of the water was rather poor.  The community members complained that cholera usually broke out it in the area in the
rainy season.  
A (distant) borehole had been sunk, however it is servicing 600
households, which is approximately 4800 people.  As a
The community members complained that
water is not available for their gardens.  A
community where livelihoods are made from
gardening and farming.
Shallow well
Latrine near shallow well
Rabecca visited two other candidate villages in November 2010.  One was
estimated population of 35,000 people.  There are several existing
borehole sources, however, there is clearly a need for more.  One was in
disrepair.

The owner of one of the existing boreholes charged K200 per 20 litres of
water for community members who come to draw there.  On average, the
borehole services about 50 households in a day.  Some households draw
using 200 litre drums which they are charged K2500 for filling up.  

For more information on Valley View, refer to
Valley View field notes.   
Broken borehole in
Valley View
An existing source in
Valley View
Rabecca also visited Kabanana, a community in Mandevu Ward, more than 10km out of
Lusaka.  Kabanana is a community that suffers during the dry season.  Even fairly deep wells
(more than 10 metres deep) are dry in the month of October.  There are some existing
For more information on Kabanana, please refer to:
Kabanana field notes.  
Though all three communities are in need of a water project, UNFF determined that Ngwerere
was the best fit for our first project in Zambia.
Well that runs dry in
October in Kabanana
Early December 2010
Three communities in Lusaka were visited and Ngwerere was picked to be the suitable
one for The Unforgotten Zambia's first borehole project.  This is a periurban community
with a population of over 7,000.  

A prior meeting with the Community Development officer (Mrs Daka) led to a plan which
would ensure a sense of ownership of the borehole by the community.  Upon arrival at the
clinic where the meeting was being held we were welcomed by the community with songs.
 72 community members had gathered, and about 7 of these were men.  Present at the
meeting were two Community Development Assistants for this area (Mrs Margaret Mbewe
and Mr Isaac Chirwa).

After the community had been informed about the project they were very pleased. They
immediately suggested that the borehole be dug at the clinic since it was the central place
and everyone could reach it though it would be far away for some people.  The community
also felt that since there was a water problem at the clinic when they had no power, the
borehole could be of use to them when at the clinic.  It would not be easily vandalized since
there were always people, at this location.
The community members split up according to the areas they had come
meeting.  These committee members are:

AREA REPRESENTATIVE
1.        Soweto:       Mrs Bwalya
2.        Jere:             Lucia Daka
3.        Maplot:         Kaira
4.        Magrade:     Elizabeth Nyireti
5.        Sewerage:   Agness Phiri
6.        Katobe:        Mrs Catherine Mwanza
7.        Powerline:   Pretty Zulu

Two more men were added to ensure that there were pump handlers after
the borehole had been sank. Namely Mr Njamba and Mr Shibuluwa.
Ngwerere water committee
Rabecca addressing
Ngwerere community
The UNForgotten Fund
The borehole/handpump installed is near
this health clinic.  Patients will be able to
now use the new water source
David is always quick with the lollipop.
The women's shelter that is being
constructed close to the well we just
installed.  New well will also serve the
women staying here.
Amit and Margaret Mbewe (of the Ministry
of Community Development).  This is a
neighboring village that will benefit from the
well.
Receiving thanks from a local politician.
Bringing in the drill rig.
Drilling has begun.  Drill is going through
rock at this moment.  Quartzite being aired.
Drill baby drill!
Drill has reached water
Completed well with handpump installed.
BOREHOLE/HANDPUMP INSTALLATION.  MARCH 2011.
Gravel for the cement.  Cement poured
around the surface casing.
  • We drilled down to a depth of 53 meters.  
    Casing was installed to protect the well.  The
    pump will draw water from a deep aquifer.

  • The borehole/handpump will serve 500
    people per day.

  • The handpump will supply a safe, reliable
    source of drinking water for the neighboring
    communities, and for those who come to use
    the health clinic and women's shelter.

  • The local villagers have assembled a drinking
    water committee to maintain the handpump.  
    They will be collecting monthly fees from
    users and saving those funds for future
    maintenance expenses.

  • We are grateful to Africa Drilling for a job well
    done!  The crew, driller and management
    (Satish Reddy) executed on time and within
    budget!

  • We are grateful to the Ministry of Community
    Development for helping us identify a worthy
    project!

  • UNFF Zambia will continue to monitor the
    borehole/handpump.  We will attend monthly
    water committee meetings to ensure the
    pump is maintained.

  • The total cost of the project was $4000 US.