By Alfred Kollie alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
Hundreds of SD Cooper Community resident’s dream of accessing safe drinking water has come alive, following the construction and dedication of a US$60,000 water project by Swiss Liberian-based None Governmental Organization (NGO).
This community is in Monrovia’s eastern Paynesville suburb.
Before the construction of the facilities by the Bowier Trust Foundation Switzerland (BTFS), fetching Safe drinking water has ben a serious challenge for community dwellers.
Locals are sometimes even forced to go far distances to fetch safe drinking water.
The dedication of a water tower and pump early this week in Paynesville, would help to alleviate the difficulties faced by thousands of residents.
One community members, Rachael Darzue told www.newspublictrust.com how it has been her dream to have water facility in the community, but several appeals to government and other philanthropists over the years had yielded no result.
She believes the Project by BTFS has brought relieved of difficulties experienced bythe community over the years in fetching safe drinking water.
“This water problem has been very hard, year-in, year-out and most of the time, we have to go far places for water. Most of our wells here get dry, so dry season, our children often get sick from the water we used for drinking,” Madam Darzu said.
“Thank God that this organization has come to our rescue, and we ourselves we make sure that tower and pump is taken care of good, so that we cannot suffer to get safe drinking water during the dry season,” the SD Cooper Community resident intimated.
She said community members usually do not get clean water during the dry season, thus forcing them to used dirty water as an alternative.
The Swiss NGO did not only dedicate water project, the organization has also extended its gesture to the Immanuel Christian School located within this same Community.
The Immanuel Christian School can now boost of a modern latrine facility being constructed by BTFS in line with the institution pilot project to ensure that most parts of Liberia benefit from sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities.
These WASH projects, according to the organization, falls within its three pillar of contributing to the health, security and education sectors of Liberia and was funded by Rotary Club Switzerland.
The projects were implemented within a period of two months and BTFS said it intend to implement additional five hand pumps in other surrounding communities within a short period.
The water project is expected to serve community members from various environs within SD Cooper and schools closer to its location.
SD Cooper Community in Paynesville forms part of several communities in Montserrado County District Number Six that are still striving for safe drinking water and good latrine facilities.
The District Lawmaker Representative Samuel Enders has said the Kendeja Public High School located in Paynesville is faced with similar water and sanitation problem and needs quick attention.
At the dedication of the projects, Mr. Enders named water and sanitation as an integral parts of human existence and should be considered in various sectors of society.
“This community and school stand at a point and needed safe drinking water, they needed water and many kids go to use the bathroom and water is not there. I know for fact because when you go the Kendeja School, there is no bathroom, there is no water, when you to the other schools, it just one handpump,” Rep. Enders said.
“To have people coming to our district and schools, at this time is laudable.Our president will be excited, our elders of this district will be excited. We are grateful and want to say thank for thinking about us. You could have thought of any other community, but you thought of us,” the Montserrado County Rep said.
He noted that the WASH facility will help the community overcome some of problems faced with water-borne illnesses and alleviate poor latrine condition on the Immanuel Christian Academy campus.
Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, B. Elias Shoniyin sees the project as a great contribution to the Liberian Government’s quest to ensure better living condition for its citizens.
The Liberian Deputy Foreign Minister described the BTFS’ projects as a plus to Liberia-Switzerland Corporation, attributing the bulk of Liberia’s health challenges to inaccessibility of safe drinking water.
This, he said has greater implications on the lives of citizens.
Deputy Minister Shoniyin stated that Liberia may not achieve the Sustainable Development Goal by 2030, if the issue of safe drinking water is still at large.
“On behalf of the government of Liberia, as we dedicate this WASH Platform today, we say water challenges have implications on our lives, on our education, health and livelihood as well as growth,” Deputy Foreign Minister Shoniyin said.
“Bringing water to this community, you have actually added to the quality of lives in this community. Your work is in support of the children and women of this community huntfor better livelihood,” he added.
The Liberian Deputy Foreign Minister also expressed concern about maintaining the facilities for long term use, urging community members to handle them properly.
At the dedication ceremony, BTFS President Felix Walz expressed excitement about his move to help fast track developmental activities in Liberia with the backing of Rotary Club Switzerland.
Walz told a gathering at the dedication that the most important time to foster such initiative in Liberia is now and demonstrate his passion to help the needed.
“I always say, have a plan to create good use of your live and BTFS as a root family prepared all necessary steps with passion and commitment to overcome the challenges that came along with implementing the project,” Walz stated.
Mr. Walz lamented that Liberia, a country he has grew passion for over the years, would still be lagging behind with the issue of safe drinking water, access to electricity and improved security system.
The US$60,000 project supports BTFS water and sanitation program, following several meeting and awareness campaigned with stakeholder and community residents by the organization.
After being approved by WASH sector group, the ICA site was reportedly approved as the suitable local that could serve thousands in the community, thus prompting the institution board to approve a global grant in 2017 for the project.