Colonie 1 Community, Haiti

In Colonie 1, a severe water crisis disrupted the lives of its residents, leaving them with limited and unsafe options for water. The situation deteriorated to such an extent that collecting water became daunting, making life in the community immensely challenging. Residents, left with no alternative, relied on an old well despite the notable risks associated with its water supply. Tragically, consuming the contaminated water from the well led to the outbreak of diseases such as typhoid, compounding the hardships faced by the residents. It became increasingly clear that the available water
sources were unsafe, making finding safe water a critical issue.

The old hand pump, a crucial water source for the community, stopped working after years of continuous use, leaving residents with even fewer options. This put an enormous strain on the community, as women and children, traditionally the main water collectors, ventured long distances and faced greater difficulties in finding water. Their struggles were not only physical but also came with the risk of contracting waterborne diseases due to the consumption of unsafe water.

As the water crisis unfolded, it became apparent that immediate interventions were necessary to prevent further suffering and health risks in Colonie 1. When community leaders heard of our work in the region, they wasted no time reaching out. Our team responded by surveying the situation and determining that the old water system could be rehabilitated. The staff repaired the borehole and installed piping, a sanitary seal, and a hand pump. Colonie 1 finally had a reliable, safe water source!

COMMUNITY DETAILS

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS

Saint-Fort Dieugrand, a resident of Colonie 1, shared his community’s story of transformation: “It was 
difficult to get safe water. The situation was bad. I used to drink the well water since it was the only 
one we had. I caught typhoid because of that.”

Now, Saint-Fort is excited about the many benefits safe water will bring to the school and the entire
community. He said, “The situation will change. Now we have safe water.”