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Ymé Grands Lacs implements the project
Ymé Grands Lacs is Oxfam’s local partner association, they organised the rehabilitation of the water supply systems and the installation of water points. The programme also includes the construction of latrines and awareness-raising activities.
Working as part of the SWIFT programme has been great because it holds everyone accountable. The Payment by Result contract means everyone has to work hard to reach our objectives. And so far, the feedback from the population has been really good.Pacifique Rudahigwa
Work is done in coordination with local authorities
Local authorities of the Bweremana health zone, as well as local government and area chiefs are included in the project to ensure its official recognition and appropriation.
We are involved from beginning to end, we were consulted before the project started and we give our feedback as it is being implemented. We are also all working together so that the localities can obtain the “Village Assaini” label, a certification from the DRC government, which includes 7 criteria on water, sanitation and hygiene.Docteur Lucien Bindu
The ASUREP manages the water systems
The ASUREP model (Associations d’Usagers des Ressources en Eau Potable) set up by the SWIFT teams is a new form of water network users’ association that is semi-professionalised. Its general assembly members, elected by the community, are volunteers but its management board consists of paid staff recruited for their skills. It relies on users’ contributions to cover its running costs. This mode of operation makes it possible to ensure the durability of the water systems as well as transparency, avoiding mismanagement issues, such as the misappropriation of installations.
The ASUREP is held accountable, we can’t spend a single franc without justifying it. Now, our biggest challenge is to convince users it is worth paying for our services. We must make people understand that they must contribute to the sustainability of the water network, otherwise the project is doomed to fail. Today we have water that is drinkable but they must understand that at some point, there could be a problem like a landslide for example. If we are not able to pay for repairs, there is a risk of having no potable water. The tariffs are being discussed by water deputies, elected by the community, with neighbourhood leaders. As soon as we have their proposals we can set an amount to be paid. When we collect money, we can set some aside for future extensions. We do not just need money to pay for daily operations or fix breakdowns. There are still places where people travel long distances to get drinking water, the ASUREP must be extended to these areas.Charles Kakumba
Community relays promote better hygiene practices
While the ASUREP focuses on access to water, another important component of the SWIFT programme is hygiene and sanitation. The community relays are in charge of hygiene promotion and awareness raising. These community members received training from SWIFT Public Health Promoters and they volunteer their time to go door-to-door, encouraging their neighbours to build latrines and install hand-washing devices.
3 times a week, I spend some time visiting my neighbours to ask them questions about their hygiene practices. I offer advice and try to raise awareness. I also report back successes to the SWIFT Public Health Promoters and if what we do is not working, we come up with a new strategy.Jeanne Kavira Moïse
The residents play an active role in the project
People now have access to safe and reliable water and are responding positively to the actions of the community relays.
We built our own latrines, now a lot of households have their own. We also installed devices to wash our hands.Kanaume Kibikiri
