Rotary Glenferrie’s WASH Project in Buedu, Sierra Leone

This story began a few years ago when Isaiah Lahai joined the Rotary Club of Glenferrie. Isaiah has an amazing story of survival: a refugee from Sierra Leone due to civil war; 14 years in five camps in Guinea; then  making his way to Australia. Since arriving in Australia, he has supported his community back in Sierra Leone and particularly the Aladura Primary School in Buedu: the value of education in improving the lives of young people cannot be underestimated. Buedu is in a remote area in the far east of Sierra Leone near the border with Liberia.

Isaiah came to Glenferrie with a vision to build a toilet block at the School. Many of the children at the school were orphaned by the Ebola outbreak a few years ago and continue to suffer from the ongoing dislocation from the previous civil wars. Due to the lack of adequate toilet facilities, they were not keen to attend school. Isaiah persuaded Glenferrie Rotary to take on this project.  A committee was formed, headed by Past-President Richard Blakeman, a very experienced Rotarian, and so the planning began. Others who have served on the Committee and contributed to the Project are International Chair, Amelia Anderson, Charles Tran, Geoff Widmer, Dr Paul Shekleton, and Don Moore.

 

It was decided that plans from the Beyond Water Team based in Kenya would be used as the basis for the design. The Beyond Water Team were very generous in sharing their experiences with the Committee on the work they had done building toilets in Kenya. Various other ‘toilet’ experts such Mark Balla, the “Toilet Warrior” were also consulted and contributed to the overall design. Unfortunately, due to the lack of a reliable water source it was not possible to build septic toilets in Buedu, so pit toilets were the only option.

 

Parallel with the design work, fundraising activities were underway. This included selling LightWalker walking sticks (donated to the Club by the family of the designer of this unique aid), Bunnings BBQs, a Paella evening, as well as funds raised from the Boroondara Farmers Market (Glenferrie Rotary’s major project). These were complemented by a generous District Grant from the Rotary Foundation. Some personal donations were also received. We thank all our Club members for their contributions to these fundraising activities. When it came to disbursement of the funds to Sierra Leone, there were some challenges – but our Treasurer, Thelma Hutchison was up to the task.

 

The search was now on to find a partner in Sierra Leone.  We were very fortunate to connect with the Rotary Club of Bo: about three hours’ drive from Buedu. After explaining what the project involved to the Club President at the time, Taplima Muana, he discussed it with his Club and a successful partnership was formed. It was also important to involve the School in every aspect of the project, so a three-way partnership agreement was set-up with the Prophet Sahr James II representing the Aladura Primary School.

 

Since the initial meetings, there have been many months of planning and hard work by both Clubs and the School Manager, Tamba Lahai to bring this project to fruition. Taplima has worked as the Project Manager on the Sierra Leone side, ably assist by the current Club President, Danial Samba with their Treasurer, Elizabath Bundu managing the funds and assisting with purchasing. The plans needed to be modified to accommodate local conditions and improve safety requirements. For example, the Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) design was added as well as some structural modifications, recommended by Glenferrie Rotary member, Don Moore, a Structural Engineer. Finally, the construction began,  the pits were dug and the toilet erected. The work was overseen on the ground by engineer, Jonathan Bockarie and the School Manager, Tamba Lahai.

 

Despite the many challenges along the way, including the remoteness of the school, the two toilet blocks – one for females and one for males – were completed in early December.  On the 12 December, there was a grand opening ceremony with a parade led by a brass band. The children were all given a brightly coloured polo shirt as part of the Rotary WASH program. Reports back from the ceremony, reinforced the excitement of the children and the community which was well represented with many dignitaries also in attendance.

 

The new Toilet blocks were officially opened by the Inspector of Schools, Mr Ousman Kallon. The Mayor of Buedu, Mr Sahr Pojuwah, was also in attendance as were the President of the Rotary Club of Bo, Danial Samba and past President, Taplima Muana and Lovet Lahai, representing Glenferrie Rotary.

 

It has been a great pleasure for Glenferrie Rotary to partner with the members of the Rotary Club of Bo who have put in an enormous effort to make this project happen. We look forward to partnering with them on future projects.