Clean Drinking Water Project

For the past 8 months I have been working with my village leader on a plan to bring clean drinking water to my village. Establishing a clean water supply for my village is my primary project as a Peace Corps volunteer in Suriname. Currently, the primary access to drinking water is a small creek and a larger local river. These water sources are polluted with trash, human waste and pesticides. During the dry season months, the near by creek dries up and villagers are forced to walk deep into the jungle to retrieve water from another creek. Below is a photograph of a friend of mine leading me to the dry season water source.

Once the villagers arrive at the creek they fill empty soda bottles, 5 gallon buckets and other large containers with creek water. The walk is intensive while carrying 5 gallons of water on their heads back to the village.

Below is a photograph of my neighbor and me filling up bottles at the creek during dry season.

This is a picture of the closest creek and the main water source during the rainy season. The water is constantly churned up by foot traffic and littered with trash.

Elderly villagers that are no longer able to walk to the creek often rig a catch system at their home. They catch rain water run off their roof into large tubs. Below is a home in my village with the home made system built on to the side. The open containers are unfortunately breeding grounds for Mosquitoes are are easily contaminated with bacteria.

In order to improve the accessibility to clean water in the village we are working together to provide rain water catchment tanks called Durotanks to the village. These tanks hold 400 gallons of rain water and have a life expectancy of 25 years. The tanks are easy to install and by purchasing 45 tanks the entire village will have access to clean water. Below is an example of a Durotank and stand.

I am in the process of fundraising locally and abroad. The village community will also contribute financially and provide all the labor for installation. With the money raised we will be able to purchase 45 Durotanks, mosquito netting to prevent mosquitoes and debris from entering the tanks, wood and zinc to build tent-like structures called "Gangasa's" that provide a space to connect gutters to, provide transportation of supplies and provide water maintenance trainings. Below is an example of a Durotank and "Gangasa" installation that we will be able to build in the village. The "Gangasa's" are needed due to the fact that a typical home in the village is made of a Palm thatch that is unable to support a gutter.

In order for me to complete my project, I must raise $11,229.32 for the tanks and other materials. I need your help. Please visit my Clean Drinking Water Project site for donation instructions. Thank you so much, Jamie Cliburn.