Well and Latrine Construction
Democratic Republic of Congo Over 100 years ago, U.S. missionaries founded the Community of Disciples of Christ in Congo (CDCC) in what today is the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), formerly known as Zaire. The church has been affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States since 1899 and now relates closely to Global Ministries. According to the United Nations, the people of the DRC continue to suffer intensely from many years of civil war that has left trails of death and destruction throughout the country. Although the economic situation in the DRC continues to improve with the institution of a transitional government in 2003, this progress is slow. The United Nations Human Development Index ranked the DRC as 177 out of 179 countries worldwide in 2008. Lotumbe is home to a CDCC-affiliated hospital and is located in the Northwest of the DRC, near Mbandaka. All of Lotumbe's inhabitants make their living by hunting, farming, or fishing in the Momboyo River, and most are deeply impoverished. Almost none of the population has access to clean drinking water, and restrooms and even latrines are an unusual luxury. Though there are three wells in Lotumbe, they are not protected or treated for bacteria, and two of them are in need of repair. Thus, the level of water-borne illnesses in Lotumbe is very high. The Lucy Otaenga Foundation (FLO) is a private, non-governmental organization in Lotumbe. Inspired by the Red Cross of the DRC, and with the input of Lotumbe residents, FLO has identified the need for clean water and basic hygienic practices as the most pressing priorities in the Lotumbe community. They, in conjunction with the Red Cross, have proposed a project to address these issues through the construction of protected wells, cisterns for storing rain water, and hand-washing facilities in Lotumbe's three schools. Public latrines will also be built, and flagstone slabs will be distributed to three hundred of Lotumbe's families to promote the construction of private family latrines. Additionally, committees made up mostly of Lotumbe community members will ensure the proper management of construction work, and that the entire community is well-educated regarding good hygiene practices. Funds are needed for the purchase of building supplies for the construction of five wells, three rainwater cisterns, three hand washing stations, eighteen public latrines, and for the purchase of flagstone slabs for three hundred Lotumbe households. One of the five wells will be for use by the CDCC hospital at Lotumbe. This is the first of several projects in various districts, focusing primarily on the systems at the hospitals. Sample Costs:
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