Yipaala is part of a large village in Burkina Faso comprising six distinct areas with many people and cattle. There was not enough water. In one of the six areas, there could be a long queue at the existing pump. In another area, people had to walk 5 km to fetch water. Myra’s Wells decided to put a new well in this part of the village to help them out. Here is the result.
The situation in the village
We always ask about what the conditions are like in the village when we receive a request for a new pump. This is what our researcher told us about Yipaala:
“The village is made up of six neighbourhoods but the villagers are linked to each other by family ties and alliances. Relationships are good. They have a spirit of village cooperation, helping one another in the rural work both at times of happiness and sadness. The people are in solidarity with each other. There is a market there for everyone and there is no division between populations.
There are particular difficulties related to school education due to the lack of infrastructure. Because of the water shortage, livestock suffers and crops cannot be grown during the dry season.”
The new well
Happily, with the Lord’s help, we have been able to help the people here. The new well is 55 metres deep and can support 2000 litres of water per hour. This well bears a plaque – “Roger’s Well” – in memory Roger who passed into the presence of the Lord 18 months ago.
Pictures of activity at the new pump
It is good to see this young man using the pump! This is usually the job of the smaller children and the ladies. Notice the cut down plastic bottle being used as a funnel to help fill the container.
In each village where we put a new well, someone is given the title “Chef de la Pompe”. The Chef de la Pompe at the new well at Yipaala is this lady. She will make sure that the people use the pump properly. She will also carry out the very small amount of routine maintenance needed and ensure the pump area is kept clean.
The cattle drinking trough also needs to be cleaned from time to time. There is dust everywhere in Burkina Faso. So, although the water that comes from the pump is completely clean and pure, the cattle drinking trough can become dirty. Here, it is being cleaned out so that the water is good for the cattle and flocks to drink.
And Eddie decided he would try out this ingenious trolley which has been made to transport the containers full of water back to the homes. It is a journey that is usually made at least twice a day.
And, finally, we hope they cleaned out these containers thoroughly before using them for water. They used to have gear oil in them before!
One new well ticked off on our list
But there are many more needed. We have 60 more validated requests in the “in tray” and about the same again where we will need more information before we approve them. But overall, in Burkina Faso, the government figures indicate that 7000 new wells are still needed. Even then, people will need to make the trip to a pump, perhaps 1km both ways, twice a day.
