Involve communities in building water systems

Editor, RE: “Nearly 40% rural water supply systems need revamp – WASAC” (The New Times, March 17). I would like to give an example of a successful model of water supply management system in one of the villages in the country. First of all, I agree with the proposition of mobilising funds to fix the non-operational water systems. This will be critical in achieving the goal of 100 per cent access to clean water by 2018. In ensuring sustainability, local leaders and citizens, who will be the final beneficiaries of the water systems, must take full ownership and participation in the repair or even construction process of those systems. In Karimbu Village, Ngoma District, when citizens themselves realised they needed clean water close to their homes, they mobilised some funds from friends of the village and together approached a contractor who provided materials for the project. The citizens then did all the work from digging water lines to constructing water fountains. I feel like this citizens’ initiative and participation in their own homegrown solutions has impacted the way they manage those fountains and water lines they have come up with by themselves. Everyone in the village has access to clean water and they manage everything, from collecting loyalties to maintaining the cleanliness of the fountains, thanks to Umuganda and other community initiatives. This is a good example of how communities can work together to solve their own challenges. President Paul Kagame always says that if anyone tells you they will bring solution to your problems without your full participation, it won’t work. And I can’t agree more! Jean-Chrysostome Bikomeye

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Involve communities in building water systems