Reports on Provide Villages with Clean Water in Rural Uganda

Project Report | Nov 3, 2025
Clean Water Brings Hope to Communities in Tororo

By Zachery Onyango | Project Leader

Repairing community Borehole

Dear Friends,

Your generosity is transforming lives in the rural areas of Greater Paya Sub-County, Tororo District.

Our project aims to drill at least 26 community boreholes, bringing clean and safe water to more than 13,000 people who currently live without reliable access. Beyond providing water, we’re also forming and training 26 community water-user committees to promote hygiene, sanitation, and the sustainable use of each borehole.

Thanks to your incredible support, we’ve already made meaningful progress:

We successfully drilled a new community borehole that now provides clean water to over 1,000 people every year.
We also repaired two broken boreholes, restoring access to safe water for an additional 2,000 people.

Each borehole tells a story of relief and renewed hope. For families who once walked long distances to fetch water from unsafe sources, these new wells mean more time for school, better health, and stronger communities.

Looking ahead:
Our team is preparing for the next phase of drilling and community training. With every borehole, we’re building more than a water point — we’re building resilience, dignity, and opportunity.

Your continued support keeps this mission flowing. Thank you for standing with us as we work toward safe water for every household in Tororo.

With heartfelt gratitude,
The Deva Health Services Team

Repairing community Borehole Two

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Jul 11, 2025
A Drop of Hope: Clean Water for All

By Zachery Onyango | Project Leader

In the heart of rural Uganda, where the red earth meets an endless horizon and children once walked miles under a scorching sun to fetch water from muddy ponds, a quiet revolution has unfolded—one borehole at a time.

Three years ago, in the village of Kisia, access to clean water was a daily struggle. Women rose before dawn, their backs aching before the day had even begun, just to reach the nearest water source—often a contaminated stream shared with livestock. Children missed school to help their families fetch water. Waterborne illnesses like cholera and typhoid were not just statistics—they were lived realities.

That began to change when the first borehole was drilled.

The impact has been profound. School attendance has risen dramatically. Since that day, our borehole has continued to serve thousands of community members. Women no longer have to walk miles. Children go to school instead of fetching water. The rate of waterborne illnesses has dropped. And perhaps most importantly, our people now have hope. Children, especially girls, who once missed class to help collect water, now have time to study and dream of futures beyond the burden of survival. Teachers report better concentration and fewer absences due to illness.

The boreholes have done more than provide water—they’ve restored dignity. They’ve sparked community cooperation, with local committees trained to maintain the wells, ensuring their sustainability for future generations. Women, once confined to the daily toil of water collection, now have time to pursue small businesses and community leadership.

One of them, Sarah, started a tailoring group with other women from her village. “Before, I spent five hours a day collecting water. Now, I spend those hours sewing clothes and earning money for my children’s school fees. Clean water gave me that chance,” she says.

Clean water has become a foundation for change—a silent partner in education, health, and economic empowerment. And with every drop that flows from the boreholes, hope continues to rise in the heart of Uganda.

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Mar 26, 2025
Clean Water Saving Lives

By Zachery Onyango | Project Leader

Kisia Community involved Geophysical Survey

1. Introduction

While access to clean water is essential for health, economic development, and overall quality of life. In rural and underserved regions of rural Uganda where, water scarcity is a longstanding issue that hinders the potential for growth and prosperity. Currently, over 13,000 people lack access to clean and safe water in Greater Paya. Development Alert with support from generous donors like you, drilled Kisia Community Borehole to address this challenge by providing a sustainable and reliable water source to the residents.

The key objectives of the Kisia Community Borehole Project were as follows:

Provide Access to Clean Water: To supply the community with a dependable source of clean, safe drinking water.
Improve Public Health: To reduce waterborne diseases and improve hygiene practices.
Enhance Economic Opportunities: To support agriculture, livestock, and small-scale businesses by improving water availability.
Reduce Time Spent Fetching Water: To improve the quality of life by reducing the time and energy spent by residents in water collection.
Sustainability: To ensure long-term sustainability through proper maintenance and community involvement.

2. Impact on Public Health

One of the most significant outcomes of the Kisia Community Borehole Project has been the improvement in public health. Before the borehole, residents relied on unsafe water sources, including rivers and shallow wells, which often contained harmful bacteria and contaminants. As a result, waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid were prevalent, particularly among children.

Reduction in Waterborne Diseases: Since the introduction of clean, treated water, the incidence of waterborne diseases has drastically decreased. Health centers report fewer cases of diarrhea and other water-related illnesses.
Improved Hygiene: Access to clean water has enabled residents to practice better hygiene, such as regular handwashing, which is essential in disease prevention.

3. Economic and Social Impact

3.1. Economic Opportunities

With reliable access to water, the Kisia community has experienced increased economic opportunities, especially in livestock farming. Many residents are engaged in small-scale farming, which requires substantial water resources for livestock. The borehole has provided them with a consistent water supply, leading to:

Improved Crop farming due to reduced time spent looking for clean water by communities: The availability of water closer to farmers has enable them to spend more time cultivating crops more reliably, leading to increased harvests and improved food security.
Livestock Health: Livestock owners can now access water for their animals, improving their health and productivity.
Boosted Local Businesses: Small businesses, such as food vendors and local markets, have benefited from the availability of clean water, allowing them to meet the demands of the community and grow their operations.

3.2. Time and Labor Savings

Before the borehole, residents, particularly women and children, spent a significant amount of time collecting water from distant and often unsafe sources. This daily burden, which could take up to 10 hours, has been reduced significantly:

More Time for Education: Children now have more time for schooling instead of walking long distances to fetch water.
Improved Productivity: Adults, especially women, have more time for economic activities, such as farming or small businesses, leading to greater economic independence and productivity.

4. Educational Impact

Access to clean water has had a positive effect on education in the Kisia community:

School Attendance: With more time available due to reduced water-fetching duties, school attendance has improved, especially among girls. Education is critical for the future of the community, and the borehole project has helped children remain in school longer.
Healthier Students: With cleaner water available, children are less likely to fall ill, leading to fewer school absences.

5. Community Involvement and Sustainability

Sustainability is a key aspect of the Kisia Community Borehole Project. The community has been involved in both the planning and maintenance of the borehole, ensuring that it remains functional in the long term. This involvement has built a sense of ownership and responsibility among the residents, ensuring the success of the project. Regular training and workshops on the operation and maintenance of the borehole have been provided.

Community Ownership: The Kisia community has established a local water management committee responsible for the daily operation and oversight of the borehole.
Long-Term Maintenance: The borehole is regularly serviced and maintained by local technicians, ensuring its continued functionality.

6. Challenges and Solutions

While the Kisia Community Borehole Project has been successful, there have been some challenges along the way:

Increased Demand for Water: As the population grows, the demand for water continues to rise. To address this, plans are underway to expand the water distribution network by drilling more community boreholes to the other remaining 12 villages.

7. Conclusion

The Kisia Community Borehole Project has had a profound impact on the lives of the residents. By providing a reliable source of clean water, the project has improved public health, enhanced economic opportunities, and positively affected education and social dynamics. The community's involvement in the project’s implementation and maintenance ensures its sustainability for the long term.

8. Recommendations

Drill more community Boreholes to provide more Water Access: Increase the borehole’s capacity and establish additional water points to meet the growing demand.
Increase Community Engagement: Further engage the community in decision-making and training to ensure the continued success of the project.
Promote Water Conservation: Implement water conservation strategies to ensure a sustainable water supply during periods of drought.

Acknowledgements

This report acknowledges the efforts of all stakeholders and Donors like you involved in the Kisia Community Borehole Project, including local authorities, the community members, donors, and development partners who have contributed to the success of this initiative.