In 2002, only 56% of the Ugandan population had access to clean water; and Manafwa District (in Eastern Uganda), where I will be based, is well below the national average. This means many families cannot access clean, safe drinking water and therefore use contaminated water, often from what looks like a muddy puddle, for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing clothes and plates... etc. Diarrhoea, a very common side effect of water-related diseases, still accounts for over 20% of child mortality in Uganda, and yet it is so easily prevented by accessing clean water through a protected source.

Families that do collect their water from a clean source can see their children, mainly their daughters, walk for two hours to collect 20 litres of water, the equivalent in weight of 20kgs.  

Protecting a natural spring involves digging back through what appears to be a muddy puddle to find the 'eye', where the water first comes out of the ground, and then building a catchment area around the spring leading to a collection area and outflow pipe from where people can collect the clean drinking water. The process takes about 6 days and is coordinated by an engineer although myself and the local community will provide the unskilled labour.  During this time I'll be staying with a local family, living as they live, and really getting into the Ugandan way of life! My accommodation, food, flight and expenses are all covered by myself and all the money raised will go towards protecting the water source. 

Any contribution you can give, however small, will be really, really appreciated. In the meantime, scroll over the pictures above to see where I am and why they are relevant.

Thank you so much in advance for all your help and support.