A Little Goes A Long Way in Africa

New water filter systems for Ghana will help sustain healthier conditions thanks to some of our recent volunteers.

A water filter project in Ghana made by recent volunteers is going to have big results with improving health conditions.

Coral Westlake told us about the project and how she realised "we all take running clean water for granted.''

Water borne diseases are a huge problem in Ghana, with 81% of the rural population relying on untreated water. Coral and the other volunteers visited Tojomohoji Island and met the thirty inhabitants who live there and use the river water for washing, cooking and drinking. All the volunteers were affected when they learnt that most the islanders suffered from stomach and intestinal complaints due to contaminated water. Coral and Susan decided to organise a project to help the people.

The volunteers visited Accra, and purchased 25 litre free standing water filters. Coral, Susan, Sidique, Jack, Lauren and Colette contributed to the initial fund. The units with three filters cost just £29 and work by removing bacteria such as typhoid and cholera, sand, rust and any discolouration. The third filter contains mineral stones. The volunteers bought four units and enough replacement filters to last four years with boiled water, at a cost of only £6 per filter. gone through the filtration system it was perfectly clear. What a result!''

‘It was green, cloudy water...''

The consumption of unsafe water in Ghana, along with poor sanitation and hygiene practices, continue to result in diarrhoea, worm infestation and other water and sanitation-related diseases, which can lead to death and disability. Children are usually the first to get sick and die from these diseases. The chief of the island was shown how to assemble the units and then the first water was added.

Coral observed the process saying, "it was green, cloudy water with particles floating in it but after it had gone through the filtration system it was perfectly clear. What a result!''

In the future...

Coral and the other volunteers are interested in sustaining the new health conditions for the islanders and recent volunteers have already been getting involved too. Coral hopes these "volunteers in the future will help to carry on this project so that the islanders can continue to have clean, safe water for years to come." It is wonderful to see what a difference our volunteers have made and we are very proud and happy to learn about the improved health conditions.

If you would like to do some volunteer work in Ghana click here