Jan 2013 U of Virginia Water Brigade, Ghana

Start Date: Jan 5, 2013 12:00 AM
End Date: Jan 13, 2013 12:00 AM

In December 2012, Global Water Brigades are going to the Central Region of Ghana to work in the community of Srafa Aboano, a fishing village with a population of 1500 people who have little or no access to clean water.

Water Brigades volunteers assist in designing and implementing water systems to prevent water-related illnesses in communities with limited access to clean water. With a sufficient quantity of properly treated water community members can cut off the connection between water and illness and ultimately live healthier more productive lives. Our in-country team members work with water experts and community leaders to design rainwater harvesting systems to serve schools, individual households, and communities. Once the water system is blueprinted, volunteers work side-by-side with community members to build the project, implement water filtration solutions, teach about water collection and filtration methods and organize community water counsels and school water clubs to maintain the projects. Between brigades our in-country team follows up in the community to ensure long-term sustainability and continued functionality of the project. Additionally Water Brigades and its volunteers provide education and training so that the community can properly administer, operate, and maintain their water system. In collaboration with Medical Brigades and Microfinance Brigades, Water is working to identify communities with the most need. With a holistic approach to development we plan to continue working with communities to improve their health and standard of living through the most fundamental resource on the planet, water.

A 10 day Water Brigade provides volunteers with the opportunity to make a tangible impact to improve water access and quality in under-resourced communities while getting hands-on experience in the field of engineering, global health and sustainable development.