LIFE Helps Build Wells in Somalia

We have been working with partners on the ground in Somalia to dig for wells in rural communities. Many of the people living in the areas are returning from refugee camps such as Dadaab.

In the Farhan Camp there are 137 families and many of them have helped take part in digging the well. Yahye, the chairman of the camp, thanked us for helping bring clean water to their village. He said, “My happiness can’t conclude here, but I would like to thank you for this well. It is useful for many people living in this camp and we wish for more.”

Farhan Camp

Farhan Camp

In Khalid Camp there are over 91 families, and many of them also helped dig the well. Hilawle, the governor of the camp, said he was happy for this opportunity. I am pleased for this program and the water is necessary for life. We all think we will be ok when the water is ok, and I will wish for another aids like this foundation.”

Khalid Camp

Khalid Camp

Inside an IDP Camp: Water Filters

Local Initiatives for Education (LIFE) has provided 85 water filters and containers to the inhabitants of Muhammed Moge IDP camp. These filters consist of a 0.1 micron absolute hollow fiber membrane filter that removes 99% of all bacteria and 99% of all protozoa. It cleans at about 1 liter per minute. No replacement filter or cartridge is necessary and cleaning can be done by backwashing the filter with the provided syringe.

We provided the 80 leaders of groups of 20 families each with a water filter so that the whole camp will have access to a filter. The filter was not given to the leader alone, but to the 20 families together. The extra 5 filters were given to the clinic and the market place.

The training was very well accepted and the leaders responded well. We trust that this will make a difference in the camp and especially in the lives of the many children.

Nure Ali is a 75-year-old Somalilander who lives in the camp. He has 2 wives, but only 10 of his 18 children are still alive. He was elected as a leader amongst the 20 families of Somaliland who live close to him. Some of his children do house chores for other families to help provides for the family. “Water is life and the filter will help us stay healthier,” he said.

Farhia Hussein is a professional nurse from Southern Somalia. She left Mogadishu after her husband was killed in the fighting. She has 5 children and is volunteering in the makeshift clinic. There are more than 100 people visiting the clinic on a daily basis and one of the biggest problems is diarrhea due to lack of hygiene. She is very thankful for the filters and believes that it will make a difference in the camp.

Sara is a strong lady, but the sorrow is evident as she tells us her story. About 7 months ago, as a new flare of violence broke out over Mogadishu, she and her husband (with their 9 kids) fled. As they were running away, her husband was injured and she had to leave him behind. “I’m not sure if he is still alive,” she explained. The journey (1500km) to Hargeisa took more than a month for her and the children (between ages 3 and 17). Sometimes they got a ride, but for most of the journey they had to walk. She stayed in Hargeisa for 2 months before she moved to the camp.

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Water Wells: Djibouti

Local Initiatives for Education (LIFE) has been able to help with the supply of manual water pumps in rural Djibouti. With increasing modernization and urbanization, traditional nomadic pastoralist lifestyles are changing. People are living in one place rather than constantly moving to find water for livestock. These people are being taught agricultural skills so that they can grow food not only for their families but also to have a surplus to sell and supplement the family income.

Water can be pumped from underground aquifers. These manual pumps will supply enough water for the garden each day without draining the aquifer. The people are taught basic maintenance skills and are able to buy the most often needed spare parts locally.