The construction of cistern for the provision of water has been a long term strategy that allows the Lambi Fund of Haiti to contribute to the long term rebuilding in Haiti.
The construction of cisterns in partnership with organizations in rural areas has been named "The Deliverance" translated from the Kreyol "La delivrans" by the farmers themselves. Addressing the broader issue of provision of water is a national responsibility but the distance between the farmer's needs and the level of involvement is far from being adequate.
Working with farmers water is essential. The Lambi Fund in its strategy has selected the construction of cisterns to build the capacity of organizations to be more efficient in obtaining water for multiple use. Along with capting water, treating water assure the quality of water for consumption. Lambi Fund has developped a partnership with locol organizations that acknowledge their contributions of land for the community construction and their labor for the actual building of the cistern on site. Lambi has built 53 in the Artibonite Region, 10 in the south 45 in the nordwest region and one sistern in each of the 4 mills in the Artibonite region as well.We added 112 cisterns that holds a total of 504,000 gallons of water for daily use.
In some of the northwest localities, the cisterns are the only source of water that the peasants have. There is very limited access to water in their immediate surrounding. They were walking many kilometers a day to seek a water source prior to the cistern project. Lambi Fund provides an accompanying training on the treatment of the water as well and how to collect rain water.
The construction of the water cisterns are done in cooperation with Plan Consult, a firm of engineers who specializes in such constructions. This partnership has been established over the years and it allows for the local people to have substantial participation in the collection of material, mixing mortar, and building the walls of the cisterns. It is a field of training and it leaves behind skills necessary to provide maintenance and repair if and when needed.
What has been the results of this long term strategy? The multiple outcome and impact is of enormous importance to the localities benefitting: a. Provision of potable water for thousands; b. Reduction of gastrointestinal diseases among infants; c. Girls ability to attend school longer since they are not fetching water
The provision of water is an essential component of our work and we acknowledge the need to scale up in these activities to continue to respond to a pressing need. In the recent years, access to water is exacerbated by long drought we are experiencing as a result of climatic events and changes that is evidenced in the environment in Haiti. We need your continued support to carry on our efforts to meet the constant demand that we receive. Thank you for your support in providing a life source to the rural people of Haiti.
We could not do it without your assistance and your help.