BY THE NUMBERS: Repairing a borehole

Scores of water wells in the developing world are defunct. The government agencies and internationally funded NGOs that drill the boreholes sometimes spend a fortune on wells that soon break or fall into disuse because locals feel no ownership over the wells and do not possess the tools to maintain them. 

When Kibo's Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) staff members work with a community to dig or repair a well, they begin with a conversation. By asking questions, empowering locals and requiring community members to invest their own resources, Kibo helps the community create something long-lasting that helps the whole community flourish. 

Last week, Kibo staff members Steven Kambale and David Balimunsi arrived in Maliga village with a government mechanic to investigate a well that broke almost a year ago. A crowd soon gathered as Steven and David helped take apart the well one pipe at a time. One by one, nine pipes rose high into the air to be examined on the ground for cracks and faulty parts. 

Steven and David estimated that the repairs will cost 6.5 million Ugandan shillings, or $1,430. The reason for the high cost is that the previous builders installed plastic pipes in 2015, which break readily and leak easily. In this instance, a contaminant seeped into the pipes, causing the water to turn yellow and become hazardous to community members’ health. All the components will have to be replaced. Kibo prefers stainless steel pipes, which are much more effective, but they can cost 270,000 Ugandan shillings per pipe, which is roughly $70. Despite the higher costs, wells made with stainless steel pipes last much longer than their plastic counterparts, sometimes as long as 20 years with minimal repairs. Repairs to the bearings or the chain, which are by far the most common, can be as cheap as 30,000 shillings, or $8. 

While 6.5 million shillings, or $1,430, is an exorbitant cost to the people of Maliga, it pales in comparison to drilling an original well, which can cost $38 million shillings, or $10,000. Repairing a broken well is often an economical way to help a community secure clean water without the cost of drilling.

A borehole in Maliga

Kibo staffers David Balimunsi, pictured here, and Steven Kambale appraised a broken well for a community in Maliga village last week.

Nothing good comes easy

The sun was scorching, and it took many hands to take apart the well. David and Steven know that the community’s hard work will pay off when clean water is available to everyone.

Tool up

In all of Kibo’s development projects, locals are equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to sustain the improvements made in partnership with Kibo.

Plastic wells don't last

Steven examines the plastic pipes installed in 2015 for cracks, which allow contaminants to enter otherwise-functioning boreholes. Kibo prefers to use stainless steel pipes for their durability. Even though they are more expensive in the short-term, they require fewer repairs and cause fewer problems for the village.

Crunching the numbers

After disassembling the well, David, Steven, and the government mechanic estimated the cost of repairs at 6.5 million Ugandan shillings, or $1,430.

Two ears, one mouth

David and Steven take time to listen to the thoughts, concerns and priorities of the community members. Many future problems can be avoided by simply asking communities what they want and why.

Local genius and investment

The members of Maliga contribute their thoughts, their time and their money to repairing the borehole. When a community participates in development, the effects are far more meaningful and sustainable.

The Kibo way

The Kibo way is to facilitate discussion among community members rather than telling a community what it should do. Kibo staff offer their expert advice and insight, but communities are the ultimate decision makers at every step of the development process.

This is what development looks like

Community members smile, laugh, clap and sing in meetings with Kibo because they know change is on its way — whether that’s through improved sanitation, new stoves or a much-needed water source.

Individual sacrifice for community flourishing

Kibo suggested that the village pay 500,000 of the total 6.5 million shillings necessary for the repairs. The community elected a temporary committee to collect the funds, since each of the 100 households in the community must raise 5,000 shillings, or $1.30.

Intergenerational connections

The meeting in Maliga featured community members of all ages. Younger members supply energy and flexibility, while older members bring wisdom and guidance. Maliga’s water source committee features a diversity of ages, genders and religions. It is a beautiful thing when older members invest in projects that benefit their children, grandchildren and future generations.

After examining the well, Steven and David led a meeting with the community members under a nearby tree. The group soon opened up, and the meeting took on a cheerful tone. There was clapping, joking and laughing as the community discussed the logistics of repairing the borehole. The community elected a temporary committee to raise funds to cover some of the costs of repairing the well. Kibo suggested that the village pay 500,000 of the total 6.5 million shillings necessary to replace the pipes and additional hardware. That means that each of the 100 households in the community must raise 5,000 shillings, or $1.30.

David and Steven know that it is important for community members to sacrifice something and feel ownership over the well, but they also don’t want to overburden the community by asking for more than it can afford. Five thousand shillings per household was a sufficient challenge for the community and a point of pride for its members. It means that each household has a direct role in repairing the well, improving the health of the community, and helping the village thrive. It means that the community members must rely on one another and trust one another with a project of significance. A better life is not something that happens to them. It is something they achieve together.