Village Partnerships: Makorombo

Population: 362
Households: 28
Status: Completed
Location: Bombali District, Sierra Leone
GPS Coordinates: N08 53.395 W11 58.641

Village History

Prior to any World Hope International involvement in Makorombo, the village was in desperate need of clean water, improved education, leadership development and greater food security. The majority of villagers are farmers or petty traders surrounded by vast land suitable for rice and peanut cultivation.

Traditionally farmers save seeds for next year’s planting, but the people of Makorombo endured “hungry months” during the dry season as they did not have enough seeds to produce staple crops, including rice and peanuts, to last all year. Any surplus harvest was put at risk of being damaged or stolen by pests as no secure storage facility was built in the village. These realities prevented the achievement of full food security.

In addition, the village’s only water source was a nearby stream. Without a safe, year-round water supply, people were forced to consume contaminated water. This caused diarrhea, dehydration and even death, especially among young children. A lack of sanitation facilities in the form of ventilated pit toilets, as well as a lack of knowledge about how disease is spread led to poor hygiene and, consequently, the spread of preventable illness. Unfortunately, the nearest health clinic is six miles away.

Makorombo had a community elementary school, consisting of concerned parents who paid a stipend of $10 per month to some of the most educated people in the village to teach the children as best they could.

Completed Activities & Impact

Village Development Committee (VDC) formed

WHI works with each village to form and train a Village Development Committee. Community members elect trustworthy people of good reputation to serve on the VDC, including religious leaders, chiefs, head farmers and women. The VDC works with WHI to encourage participation in development activities, steward project resources and hold their community accountable. The committee strategizes about future development planning and discusses solutions to current problems, acting as the primary change agent in the village through collective action.

Clean Water Well drilled

A new borehole well has brought a consistent source of clean water year-round, a welcome reprieve from the previously existing hand-dug well. Before, the hand-dug well would dry up at the peak of the dry season and force villagers to use water from a contaminated source. This left the community vulnerable to preventable water-borne disease. Now, villagers can drink and wash, year-round, without fear of sickness.

Seed banks established, rice and peanut seeds distributed

Seed banks provide a constant source of seeds for Makorombo. When it is time to plant, farmers receive a portion of seeds from a seed bank, which is managed by the VDC. After harvest, farmers return the amount of seed they loaned from the group with minimal interest. Seed banks mobilize community resources to provide for the common good, strengthening the entire village.

25 latrines constructed

When individuals don't have a toilet to use, human waste gets into the water supply--often the same water supply that people use to fetch water for drinking, bathing, cooking and cleaning. This contaminated water carries deadly diseases. Proper waste facilities are necessary for reducing preventable disease caused by poor hygiene.

Drying floor constructed

Drying floors are constructed so that seeds can be properly stored through the wet season. They enable farmers to thoroughly dry their kernels so they do not mold in storage. Preparation of this sort allows for higher yields to save and use for income generation, an important source of food security.

Completion of 2 classroom school building

The construction of a new school building, coupled with teaching and learning materials, has offered the children of Makorombo a quality education. Education is the larger part of the foundation for a healthy and successful life. It can prevent the poor from being exploited, provide hope for the future and offer tools that allow individuals to act as advocates for economic change.

Establishment of Mini-Shop

The establishment of a Mini-Shop in the village supplies community members with much needed goods, including, salt, sugar, soap and batteries. The VDC oversees the day-to-day operations of the Mini-Shop, which provides Makorombo with improved health and economic freedom.