Gueni River, Chad

Old traditional well previously used in Gueni River.

New water pump to access clean drinking water.

In the past, families in the Gueni River region in Chad suffered from life-threatening diseases spread by dirty drinking water.

The situation before

• 22,000 people were living without clean water and sanitation.
• One in five children did not survive and nearly everyone was sick from water-borne diseases.
• Less than 10% of people had use of a pit toilet.
• Women and children spent endless hours collecting water from a muddy stream or a contaminated traditional well.

Through the help of World Vision supporters, the situation has improved over the last three years

• 20 new boreholes were drilled and 292 wells disinfected to provide safe drinking water for 22,000 people.
• 20 primary schools and two health centres have clean water.
• 149 pit toilets were built, including 20 in primary schools.
• 79 local residents were trained in caring for the boreholes.

As a direct result, the people of Gueni River are now in better health. Children no longer have to spend hours collecting dirty water and more of them are now able to go to school.