Second to the completion of HGI’s community bathrooms and latrines project, providing a hand pump for the children and residents of Gomkpon Junction has been the most rewarding for the members of HGI thus far.

When the residents first came to advocate for the need for a hand pump, HGI was not aware that the residents had built a one-room church and school in the community because they needed those buildings.

To our surprise, we arrived at the Gomkpon Junction community and found them. We were able to impact the lives of about 300 people in the community, especially the children, who had to leave school to walk a mile to the creek for water.

What We Learned?

• At a cost of $4,000, a hand pump was the most economical way to fulfill the need for clean water.
• At 40 feet, the well was not dug well enough to provide a continuous flow of water for everyone during the dry season.
• It is a very dangerous task for the young men who dig the well because they lack the safety standards and in some cases, the well caved in on the workers.
• The demand and constant use of the pump causes it to break down often.

Our Solution

• Build a well, that costs $6,500 but provides many advantages that make the cost worthwhile.
• The well was dug with a borehole drill to a depth of 95 to 110 ft. This allows for a continuous flow of water during the rainy and dry seasons.
• It meets the needs of the community with two hand-pumps for the village of 300 to 500 people. By having two hand-pumps, the wear and tear of the equipment is reduced from constant use.