WELL CONSTRUCTION PROJECT – CLEAN WATER FOR COMMUNITIES

Water is the source of life — a simple sentence that carries a very different meaning in The Gambia. While access to clean water is taken for granted in many parts of the world, in The Gambia many families still walk several kilometers every day to collect safe drinking water.

In 2018, we launched the Well Construction Project to provide access to clean drinking water and improve health, hygiene, and quality of life for entire communities across The Gambia.

Location

Various locations across The Gambia

Duration

The project began in June 2018 and is ongoing.

Objective

To provide sustainable access to clean drinking water and improve health, hygiene, and living conditions in The Gambian communities.

Beneficiaries

More than 1,000 residents, benefiting entire village communities.

Activities

Construction of wells, installation of solar pumps and water filters, well protection and maintenance, community education, monitoring, and project expansion.

Impact

  • Access to clean and safe drinking water
  • Reduced waterborne diseases and improved living conditions
  • Increased self-sufficiency and agricultural opportunities
  • Employment opportunities, stronger communities, and improved child health

Our Journey

PHASE I – FUNDRAISING AND PREPARATION
TARGET: Fundraising and preparation for the first well excavation
STATUS: June 2018 – January 2019 (Completed) 

The project began with the campaign “Water – A Source of Life for a Whole Village,” which united people from different countries around one shared goal: bringing water to communities without access.

At the site planned for the construction of a career and educational center, the nearest water supply was over one kilometer away. Without an independent water source, the construction and operation of the center would not have been possible.

The first goal was therefore clear — to dig a well that would serve volunteers, students of the center, and the entire surrounding village.

Approximately €13,000 was required to construct the well, including a solar pump, protective cover, and water filtration system. Despite the high cost, the campaign quickly gained support from individuals, schools, and organizations.

Notable contributions included:

  • A school from the United Kingdom (€4,500),
  • Participants of a May Day camp (€700),
  • Numerous sponsors, volunteers, and individual donors.

This phase was marked by solidarity, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community — each donation bringing the project one step closer to water and a better life.

PHASE II – FIRST WELL CONSTRUCTION
TARGET: Construction of the first well to provide permanent access to clean water and enable the start of the career-educational center
STATUS: Completed – January 2019

On January 16, 2019, the first well was successfully completed in Brufut. Thanks to the combined efforts of volunteers, local workers, and donors, water finally reached the land where the career-educational center would be built.

From that day onward, clean water became freely accessible to all villagers who previously had no reliable access. This marked a true transformation — fewer illnesses, less time spent fetching water, and more time for education, work, and family life.

PHASE III – EXPANSION TO NEW VILLAGES
TARGET: Construction of additional wells
STATUS: Ongoing (since 2019)

Following the success of the first well, the project expanded rapidly. Using solar-powered pumps, additional wells were constructed in several villages, including:

  • Brikama, supplying both the community and the local mosque,
  • Kerewan Samba Sira, where a well on a cotton field enables year-round cotton cultivation,
  • Sinchu Modi,
  • Mayamba.

Each new well created new opportunities — for clean drinking water, hygiene, food production, and above all, dignity.

Until today, 10 wells have been built, providing clean water daily to hundreds of people and significantly reducing water-related infections, diseases, and child mortality caused by contaminated water.

PHASE IV – COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP AND SUSTAINABILITY
TARGET: Strengthen the role of local residents in well management, maintenance, and responsible water use
STATUS: Ongoing

Local community members are involved in the construction, maintenance, and supervision of each well. The project therefore delivers not only infrastructure but also employment opportunities, knowledge transfer, and shared responsibility.

Volunteers from the Travel as a Volunteer program regularly assist with monitoring, user training, and awareness-raising on the importance of clean water and hygiene.

What's Next?

Every drop counts — because each one brings life, health, and hope to Gambian villages. Your interest and willingness to help give real meaning to projects like this.

How You Can Get Involved

  • Through donations to support the construction of new wells, maintenance of existing ones, and the purchase of solar pumps and water filters.
  • By volunteering in The Gambia through the Travel as a Volunteer program and contributing directly to sustainable field projects.
  • By spreading the story, sharing the project with friends, colleagues, and networks to raise awareness about the importance of clean water.
Donation Details

Account Name: VOLUNTEER TRAILS – THE GAMBIA
Account Number (GMD): 6240037610
Account Number (EUR): 6240037611
Swift Code: ECOCGMGMXXX
Beneficiary Bank: Ecobank Gambia Ltd.
Beneficiary Bank Address: 42 Kairaba Avenue, Serekunda – The Gambia.