What began as an urgent appeal in January has become a life-changing reality for 5,780 men, women, and children in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Thanks to the generosity of Bread and Water for Africa® supporters, six new wells have been completed in some of the most underserved communities of Bikoro Territory, providing families with reliable access to clean, safe drinking water. For villages that once depended on contaminated ponds, rivers, and swamps, these wells represent more than water—they bring improved health, greater opportunities for children, and renewed hope for the future.
In fact, four out of five people in the DR Congo put themselves at risk of deadly waterborne diseases every time they take a drink of water from a potentially contaminated source.
Working with our in-country partner in the country’s Bikoro Territory, Appropriate Technologies for Congo, Association Sans but Lucrative (TAC Asbl), and its executive director Lucien Beele, who had identified the villages most in need of new wells, we are pleased to report that thanks to our generous supporters all six wells were completed over the past five months.
“This project's main objective is to improve access to clean drinking water for approximately 5,780 people in a sustainable way,” said Lucien in his grant funding request to Bread and Water for Africa®. “This will significantly reduce waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever.”
Among the targeted communities was Ikalanganya Village, where residents obtained their water from nearby ponds and rivers, which are untreated and often contaminated.
“This situation promotes the spread of waterborne diseases, which compromises the health and well-being of the population,” stated Lucien in January, adding that “the presence of a school in this neighborhood underscores the importance of safe access to drinking water. Children who should be focusing on their education are often forced to collect water, hindering their schooling.”
Installing a well in Ikalanganya would have a significant impact, noted Lucien, who explained, “It would improve public health by reducing water-related diseases and allow children to devote more time to school.”
But that was then, and this is now.
Including the 1,030 residents of Ikalanganya, today a total of 5,780 residents of the communities of Ikoko Impenge (985), Momboyo (884), Mokomboso (950), Quartier Commercial (1,010), and Quartier Yoka (921) have all the clean water they need for drinking, cooking, bathing, and washing, from a safe, convenient source.
Thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®, we were able to raise the funds needed to purchase construction materials and equipment, pay the wages of the drillers, plumbers, and trainers who did the work, host community capacity-building activities, as well as cover the continuing monitoring and evaluation costs.
“This support significantly improved health, reduced waterborne illnesses, and strengthened community resilience in six underserved areas of the Bikoro Territory,” Lucien reported shortly after all six wells were completed.
“The selection of the six beneficiary communities was based on a combination of technical, community-based, and public health criteria identified during the assessment phase of the project,” he reported. “The process ensured that the wells were built where the need for safe water access was most urgent.”
He also explained that, in addition to of course having all the benefits of clean water, “locations where women and children spent several hours per day collecting water were prioritized to reduce ‘time poverty’ and increase opportunities for schooling and income-generating activities.
“Villagers—especially women, who are the primary water collectors—were involved in assessing and choosing safe and accessible sites for the wells.”
Prior to the completion of the project, Lucien told us that village women and children spent several hours every single day walking long distances to collect water.
“With wells now located within their villages, they walk shorter distances, they save 2-3 hours daily, children can attend school more regularly, and women can dedicate more time to income-generating activities and family care.”
In addition, “Continuous field visits by the TAC Asbl team helped maintain close contact with residents, address questions, and ensured that all intended beneficiaries were informed and involved.
“We reached targeted individuals by using local leadership networks, direct community meetings, sensitization activities, and continuous field engagement.”
In sum, “The funded program has brought significant and measurable improvements to the daily lives, health, and resilience of the six targeted communities.
“The construction of six wells equipped with hand pumps has transformed access to safe drinking water for 5,780 residents.
“Residents now have immediate access to clean water within their own communities, eliminating reliance on contaminated rivers, ponds, and swamps.”
And in just the few weeks since the completion of the wells, Lucien states:
“The new wells have already reduced waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, and typhoid.
“This means fewer sick children, fewer medical expenses, and stronger, healthier communities.
“In isolated villages of Bikoro—places often unreachable during rainy seasons—people now say they feel seen, valued, and connected to the world, all thanks to the kindness of the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® in the United States.”
