PROJECT KICKOFF
Construction on the Nyaruhogo-Gatohwe water system is complete.
We are pleased to announce that construction on the Nyaruhogo-Gatohwe water system began in October 2023, and was completed 2 weeks early. At the outset, this community, located in Songa commune, had a primary water source 2.5 miles away from the community center, church, and school, and the water is contaminated.
Preventable, water-borne diseases are the leading cause of death in Burundi, which has the 12th highest child mortality rate globally. Communities with Gazelle Foundation water systems have drastically reduced, and in some cases eliminated, the presence of water-borne illnesses among the families that live in them.
Thanks to our generous supporters, this project serves 1,500 people, including 288 students and teachers at Musenyi Primary School, and 200 members of Musenyi Catholic church.
Project Overview
Construction dates: October 12, 2023 - January 16, 2024
Located in Songa commune
Scope: 5.6km pipeline
3 storage tanks
10 tap stands
Employees: 75 including masons and plumbers
Serves 1,500 residents
Project Schematics
The first phase of construction is transporting supplies to the work site. Transporting rocks to the construction site is not easy in Burundi. There’s no Home Depot or Lowes, and trucks can only get the materials so far. Meaning rocks, PVC, and bags of concrete are often times transported by hand, or wheelbarrow, to the construction location.
How It Works
Water is captured from a source before it can become contaminated. It is filtered in the collection chamber and flows onward. Entrenched PVC pipe carries water to tanks, and to multiple tap stands. Tap stands are strategically positioned within easy walking distance to schools, churches, community centers and other central locations to maximize access points for residents. Water is available for free to all people regardless of the person’s tribe or religion.
Follow our progress on Facebook and Instagram for the most up-to-date details.
See a rendering of a typical water system and learn more about how we build water systems.
Source Excavation: Digging is done by hand
Clean Water Means Education
Without access to clean water, people must spend valuable time collecting water for daily use, and they are sick more often, due to preventable water-borne diseases. Both of these have a disproportionate impact on children, whose school attendance suffers because they are needed at home or are simply ill. With clean, accessible water, these barriers to education disappear.
The availability of clean water and the resulting improvements in health and education begin to reverse the cycle of poverty. According to the World Bank, returns on education investment are the largest in Africa over any other continent, and each additional year of schooling raises earnings by 11% for boys and 14% for girls.
Gilbert Tuhabonye visits newly constructed tap stands at Musenyi primary school, November 2023.
Project Updates
Interim Progress Update: 1
Sources catchment are complete
Collection chamber 2 is complete
Collection chamber 1 is 70% complete
Digging trenches is around 3km
Connection of pipes is around 1.8km
Interim Project Update: 2
Progress on the Nyaruhogo-Gatohwe water system is well underway. Jean Bosco Ndabaniwe, our project manager, reports progress is moving along well. Tap stands at the school are fully functional. Milestones completed as of December 20, 2023, include:
Sources catchment protection is complete
2 collection chambers are complete
2 tanks are complete
2 tap stands (out of 10) are complete
Digging trenches is complete
Connection of pipes is around 4.8km
SYSTEM COMPLETION
The Nyaruhogo-Gatohwe water system was completed on January 16, 2024. 2-1/2 weeks ahead of schedule. It serves 1,500 people. Construction of the system provided work for 75 local residents.
It brings us, 1,500 people closer to achieving our goal of providing every person in Burundi with clean water, the highest quality of life, and hope within reach.
One of the key components of our work is the handoff of the water system. Upon completion, we turn ownership and stewardship of the system over to the community. The local workers employed to build our systems have the maintenance knowledge that allows for greater long-term viability and sustainability of our systems. Read more about the handover.
JOIN OUR MISSION
This project was funded by wonderful supporters like you. We thank these generous individuals for changing the lives of the people in this community through access to clean water.
Our next water system depends on you! We have 36 months of shovel-ready projects lined up - all we need is your support. Help us give the gift of clean water to those that need it most.