The Well Project at Mbaye Kunda

This area suffered severe flooding in 1999. The project was designed to provide clean water to the village year round.

In February 2000, GambiaHELP raised funds to construct a well at Mbaye Kunda. The village, which is located in the Upper River Division of The Gambia, had suffered severe flooding. As a result, many of the wells were either polluted or destroyed.

In April 2000, Shelby Tarutis and her Gambian counterpart, Sirigereh Baldeh, GambiaHELP Country Director, selected a contractor, a well design, and arranged for the construction to begin. The well, which has a hand-pump and an animal trough (to catch run-off), was completed in June 2000, and is expected to last twenty years.

In 2002, GambiaHELP provided funds to repair the well pump. A minimum level of credit has been provided to the local store in Basse to keep the well in good working order. The village community council made two minor repairs to the well during 2001. Reports from the village indicate that this well produces "sweet water" – the best for drinking. Water for laundry and cooking needs is drawn from other wells in the area.

In 2003, GambiaHELP provided funds to dig the well deeper so that sufficient water is more acessible during the dry seaon.

A GambiaHELP Representative will maintain contact with the village throughout the next year.

To make a cash donation to this project use the Pay Pal link below.

Alkalo of the village beginning the digging amidst drumming and dancing		Villages continue the excavation work
Completed well with runoff trough for animals		Women using pump at the new well