The Carilino Orphanage, located in the Mont-Ngafula commune of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and operated by the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Bergamo, takes in orphaned and vulnerable children, providing them with a safe and educational environment.
But what the Sisters have been unable to provide for the children in the care adequately is access to plenty of safe water for drinking and watering their farmland to grow enough food to support their operations.
“Access to drinking water is a major challenge for the orphanage and the surrounding community of 500 inhabitants, due to the inefficiency of the urban network,” says Lucien Beele, executive director of our in-country partner there, Technologies Appropriées pour le Congo (TAC Asbl).
“This lack of drinking water compromises the orphanage’s health, education, and farming activities, which depend on the sale of cultivated produce to cover certain expenses.”
The orphanage was founded a decade ago “in a neighborhood where access to drinking water is extremely limited,” Lucien told us.
“The urban network is not functional, forcing residents, including children and women, to travel long distances to obtain water in neighboring districts.
“This situation compromises not only the health and well-being of the orphanage’s children, but also their education, as the time and energy spent searching for water could be used for educational and recreational activities.”
In addition, the lack of drinking water affects the orphanage’s agricultural activities, which Lucien notes, “are essential to cover certain expenses by selling harvested produce,” as it relies primarily on donations to operate.
“Agricultural activities, such as growing vegetables and tomatoes, are an essential source of income for the orphanage.
“However, the lack of water to irrigate the crops limits production and, consequently, the income generated by the sale of produce.”
The solution?
“The construction of a water well would not only improve the quality of life of the children and local residents but also strengthen the orphanage’s economic autonomy by increasing agricultural production.”
And not just a water well, but a solar-powered well that would not only pump water to irrigate crops and serve the Sisters and orphaned children, as well as provide clean water to 500 residents in the surrounding community.
“This project aims to solve the problems of access to drinking water, which affect the health, education and agricultural activities of the orphanage, as well as the quality of life of the local residents,” Lucien told us in his request for $14,000 in grant funding from Bread and Water for Africa® to make the project a reality.
At Bread and Water for Africa®, our first priority is to strive to enhance children’s health in impoverished communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and regular access to clean water is essential to ensuring their well-being.
But the current situation at the Carilino orphanage is such that “the lack of drinking water exposes the orphanage’s children to the risk of water-borne diseases, compromising their health and development,” says Lucien.
Additionally, as it stands today, the lack of water for irrigation limits production of crops “and, consequently, income” to support the orphanage’s operations.
“A water well would increase agricultural production, ensuring a stable and sustainable source of income,” he notes.
“By strengthening agricultural activities, the orphanage could become more financially self-sufficient, reducing its dependence on donations and ensuring greater economic stability.”
He also points out that by using a solar system to power the well, “the project guarantees a sustainable and ecological solution, reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources and minimizing environmental impact.
“In summary, the construction of a solar-powered water well addresses crucial health, education, economic development, and sustainability needs for the Carilino orphanage and the surrounding community.
“This project is a viable and necessary solution for improving the quality of life of the children and local residents, while strengthening the orphanage’s economic autonomy.”
