In 2011, CETRA began a partnership with PGWI to provide a community in Cameroon with a source of clean water, and to educate and empower the people of the community to successfully maintain their water system.

PGWI seeks funding for the first phase of a water project including the protection of spring sources and rainwater harvesting in the village of Gundom,  Bome-Ngyenmbo valley, Momo division of the Northwest province of Cameroon.  This first phase is part of a larger project of addressing water and sanitation needs in 11 villages in the valley through water system development and management along with a long-term hygiene education and intervention project to augment the beneficial effects of a clean water supply.  Gundom Village is at the highest elevation with many residents living above seasonal springs and the villagers obtain water from a creek that runs dry in the dry season.  The village has about 30 households, with several households living in the compound of the Fon (chief) near the top of a ridge. 

PGWI is working with a Cameroonian partner, Meta Quality of Life Foundation (MQLIF), to implement this project.  MQLIF has been supporting health clubs in the primary and secondary schools and PGWI members with Penn Engineers without Borders (PennEWB) teams have witnessed the school health clubs in action promoting healthy habits and proper hygiene at home and at school.  MQLIF and PGWI are working on a phased plan for concentrating these efforts and providing additional training in the Bome Valley where the existing water system is to be rehabilitated and  expanded.  A Penn Engineers Without Borders assessment team has visited Cameroon and worked with MQLIF under the guidance of PGWI members to evaluate the existing water system and recommend the first stages for the water system upgrade.  PGWI will employ the donated funds to support the integrated health education and water system program in the Bome Valley along with the resources of our partners MQLIF and PennEWB.

Testimonials

"More than one billion people on this planet do not have access to any improved drinking water source." - Gregory Kelder

"The Philadelphia Global Water Initiative and their partners such as several schools from the University of Pennsylvania, the UPenn Chapter of Engineers Without Borders, Pennoni Associates, and Uhl, Baron, and Rana Associates have a long standing commitment to provide drinking water to the people in remote areas of Cameroon” - Dr. Stanley Laskowski

Please consider donating to a very worthy cause!