WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)

wash logo watsan flag Liberia WaSH Programs
(Water, Sanitation & Hygiene)

"Water is More Precious Than Gold and More Crucial
to our Survival than Any Other Resource on Earth!" wash water sanitation hygiene watsan CLICK HERE if there is no button bar on the left side of your screen

Completed Safe Drinking Water Supplies

Completed Community Washrooms

Health & Hygiene Training (No Well or Washroom)

Pump Repair Projects

Equipment Training & Support Services

Meet the Team

Liberia Links

	Overview of Lifewater's WaSH Work in LIberia

		No one knows the value of safe water and sanitation (WatSan) more then the people of Liberia. In 1990, Liberia's 127 years of peaceful democracy was shattered when a bloody, 16-year civil war erupted. Boys were recruited as child soldiers and many girls were forced to serve as sex slaves. Over 200,000 people were killed, most water supplies were destroyed and people started a desperate search for water which continues today. Few wells exist and most are contaminated, broken or overused. Many villagers are forced to draw water from stagnant swamps and water-borne diseases (dysentery, cholera, infectious hepatitis) are common.
		In 1995, Lifewater was invited to help Liberians address this WatSan crisis. Lifewater volunteers were asked by the European Union and the Liberian Government to conduct the first systematic testing of 150 communal wells in Monrovia. This Report noted that: Most wells had sanitation problems; 30% of the pumps required repair; 37% of the wells had yield problems; The average water temperature was 83 degrees and nearly every well had active bacterial populations. Half the wells had coliform and/or pathogenic bacteria.
		We responded by selecting appropriate technologies and introducing WatSan programs and WaSH training. Today, the Liberian team drills wells, installs and maintains hand pumps, builds washrooms and provides health & hygiene education. Tens of thousands of Liberians have benefited from this work which has saved the lives of hundreds of children! However, the OECD still ranks Liberia as one of 34 countries furthest away from International Development Goals. With your support, we continue to help Liberia re-build by focusing on WaSH programs in priority areas such as schools, clinics, orphanages, and rural villages without safe water or sanitation.

	Meet the Team

		Bishop Alfred Reeves, Lifewater Liberia Inc. (L-Linc) Co-Chair Bishop Reeves helped the Lifewater program get established in Liberia by providing the 1995 team with access to his personal pick-up truck and allowing equipment and supplies to be stored in his church basement. This former Presidential candidate is always on the go, much sought-after for his advice. He is a forward thinker who helps the Board shape and form a vision for the work of Lifewater Liberia Inc (L-Linc).
		Rev. Sam Freeman, L-Linc Board Co-Chairman Rev. Freeman had the original vision for bringing water development work to Liberia. During the 1992 war, Rev. Freeman saw many people die from drinking contaminated water. He came to realize that it was pointless to preach about the love of God when people were dying because their water was unsafe. After contacting Lifewater, he picked the Liberian men to be trained and helped organize the first city-wide water conference in Monrovia.
		James Barr, Treasurer & Board Member James Barr is the owner of Barr Trading Compound opposite Parker Paint in Paynesville. Since 1997, he has supported the work of Lifewater in Liberia by providing offices, warehouse space and secure vehicle storage for a nominal monthly fee. He volunteers many hours each week ensuring that L-Linc's finances are carefully managed and that donor dollars are spent wisely.
		George Yarngo, Board Member & Government Advisor George is a Hydrogeologist, providing the Liberian Ministry of Public Works with badly needed professional expertise. Since the 1995 water conference, he has helped the Lifewater program succeed in Liberia by providing technical advise. He helps the Board and workers understand the value of staging work, of conducting community-level assessments prior to mobilizing, and creating multi-year goals and development plans.
		Tommy Towalid, Board Member Currently working for a cell-phone company, Tommy helps the team stay current with technology. He provides a valuable bridge between local workers and overseas guests since he always arrives on-time for meetings! Tommy is a committed, hard-working man who helps guide the team by providing valuable input during board-level decision making.
		David O. Wolo, Project Coordinator and Board Liason David Wolo was the first Liberian to join the Lifewater Project in 1995. His ingenuity and perseverance were critical in sustaining the program through the war years. He is a skilled driller with pre-war experience drilling in Liberia and in Indonesia. He is a capable beaurocrat, but his passion is still getting his hands dirty in the field. David is motivated by his enduring faith, and has served as a Deacon for many years.
		Kenneth Clarke Jr, Office Manager Kenneth is a very smart young man who is actively praying for a wife! His dreams for the office were fulfilled when he received a lap-top computer and large battery back in 2005. When he learned that the team would be receiving a database to track project work, he taught himself how to use MS Access just so that he would be comfortable working with databases!
		Sarah Kreyor, Office Assistant/Janitress Sarah is affectionally called "Ma Sarah" and "Lifewater Mother. This self-reliant widow has been with the Lifewater crew since the initial training in 1995. She cleans the office, takes care of market chores and prepares meals for the team and guests. She also provides assistance on selected health & hygiene workshops.
		Henry Yogie, Lead Driller Yogie is a man of few words who loves to drill wells! He cares for the machines and always gives his very best. His eagerness to work and his willingness to get dirty and to learn from past mistakes make him a valuable asset to the team. His strength, rugged good looks and ability to work younger men into the ground hide that fact that he is approaching 60 years of age! As a bonus, Yogie he can drive both motorcycles and pick-up trucks!
		Oliver John Youndo, Driller Oliver is a quite, motivated man who loves to drill and is always looking for ways to make more money - He has spent his spare time upcountry creating a large rubber plantation! He has 5 beautiful children. His loving wife, Elizabeth, helps deliver Health & Hygiene training when called upon.
		Rocky G. Kollie, Pump Repair Technician Rocky is a polite, hard-working humble man. It was only after years of getting to know him that we learned that he had been a member of Liberia's National Soccer team! He is passionate about his work repairing pumps since he has seen what happens to community health when pumps are allowed to sit broken.
		Rev. Robert S.M. Bimba, Health & Hygiene Coordinator This proud new dad has the invaluable skill of being able to help villages mobilize to undertake projects. His love for God and for every human life help him quickly command the respect of up-country Chiefs and village leaders. HIs experience building a church during the war help him to effectively lead village training workshops and conduct community assessments far from home.
		Titus Tamba Kettor, Health & Hygiene Trainer Titus is the teams medical man, providing first aid treatments when necessary and diagnoising various ailments. He has a firm grasp of the connections between unsafe water and sanitation practices and disease. When delivering health & hygiene training in rural villages, his passion is helping people learn how to break disease transmission pathways.
		Joseph Qua Qua, Truck Driver and Field Assistant Joe keeps the valuable Lifewater trucks running and is the only one entrusted with driving the large, 6-Ton truck to carry supplies and equipment to work sites in up-country counties. Joe provides visiting volunteers with peace of mind, always showing up early when transportation is required!
		Fayah
		Elton
		James N. Troyah, Driver / Assistant Driller James is the most quiet man on the team. He listens, he understands and he acts without complaint (or often word of any kind!). James can be trusted with the expensive trucks and is a reliable, steady force in the motor pool.