Democratic Republic of Congo, 2009

Water-borne diseases like dysentery, cholera, typhoid fever and diarrhea are a serious problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo. So serious that it costs lives. So when Fulgence, one Congolese man, lost his baby girl to dysentery, he decided to take action. 

Villagers within Katanga Province, DR Congo, have hard lives. Working long days in the field gives little time to collect clean water miles away. So they use the water close by. And it is full of bacteria.

So when Outreach International facilitator Marcel Kapendwe began working in DRCongo, he found a willing partner in a man named Fulgence and many others.

“But the cost is too high. It is US$4.50 for a cubic meter of clean water, and transportation costs 50¢ more,” another explained.

“If clean water was nearby,” Fulgence said, his head low. “I would have not lost my one-year-old baby girl to dysentery.”

Others agreed, and with Marcel’s encouragement, it began to happen.

The Work Begins

A few water projects had been provided by other NGOs before Outreach International began working with the community, but they became abandoned or broken, with no system to maintain them.

This time, Fulgence thought, might be different. First, because Outreach International was involving 94 community members in the project, and second, because Fulgence was also committed. He and the community even offered gifts of land to build on.

Almost immediately after the workers began drilling in the first village of Kalebuka, they were ready to quit. The geology was too complex; the rocks too hard and unstable. Besides, they were offered better deals elsewhere, so they threatened to cancel their contract. But the community would not let them go, offering good food and lodging while they worked. So the workers stayed. They had to restart the drilling twice, but finally succeeded. The drilling company manager was impressed that the people were so organized and informed.

The Good Expands

People in the nearby village of Naviundu were trying to access clean water as well, and Fulgence took a vested interest in both projects. “No more children should die of water-borne diseases,” he insisted. At times, he challenged residents who left the meetings early. “I am ashamed,” he said. “The facilitators do not need potable water here—this is for your families. You need to work harder because it is for you.” Inspired by his passion, the people did.

Even though it was difficult to acquire legal permits to dig pipes under the road, the 64 group members in Naviundu doubled their efforts, obtaining the legal papers and also manual pumps to avoid past dependency on unstable electricity.

As a result, there is no more wishing for clean accessible water. Residents have a sustainable water system. Illnesses have declined significantly. The accessible system provides additional time and income to grow more crops and address other needs, so income has multiplied. The residents said, “Through this project, we have found solutions to many other issues.”