More to the Story: Busiro
May 30, 2013
The community of Busiro used to rely on Like Victoria as their main source of fresh water.
Like Maruba and Mpanga, the people of Busiro relied on Lake Victoria as their primary water source, and, like Maruba and Mpaga, they suffered from the illnesses that the water gave them. Even the very act of fetching water could be fatal—the crocodiles that lived in this lake would attack children fetching water.
That was the story of Busiro—not its history and there is a new reality. Water Missions International installed at Lifelink system as part of a TradeWater project in the village. Community members can purchase electronic keycards containing water credits they can redeem for safe water. To help generate additional revenue to pay for the water system’s maintenance, Water Missions International also set up eMpower, a mobile phone charging service that runs off the same solar panels used to power the water system. Through TradeWater and eMpower we’re bringing sound business practices and financial principles to the community, encouraging further development.
Now the people of Busiro can enjoy safe water.
After the system installation on December 5, 2012, government officials present at the commissioning ceremony commented on the impact of the water system on the community of Busiro. The assistant chief administrative officer of the Namayingo district, Wabwire Frederick Bernard, said, “I want to first of all thank Water Missions, the government of Uganda, the people and government of USA for the continued assistance to our people especially the provision of clean and safe water. Indeed the district is grateful for the safe water projects implemented in Maruba landing site, Mpanga and now Busiro fishing village. On behalf of the people of Namayingo, I want to pledge and assure of our continued support and cooperation with Water Missions. We request that you continue giving us this assistance and I call upon the communities to operate, repair and maintain the water systems so that they continue providing us with clean and safe water. Thank you all.”
While much of Namayingo still lacks access to safe water, our hope is that one day the people who live there will be free from the water-related illnesses that plague them. Thank you for following this blog series over the last few weeks. If you haven’t had the chance to read the Ugandan Daily Monitor’s article on the water problem faced by the residents of Namayingo, we invite you to learn more here.
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