Solange's Village

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Our Work

Water Reservoir - Sissene, Burkina Faso
Water is the key to economic, social, and physical growth. In Sissene, Burkina Faso enormous difficulties existed because there was no supply of water. Building a water reservoir provides a reliable year-round source of water. Water helps generate economic development opportunities for residents and sustainability for an easier existence. The partnership between Community Building Group (North America) and Zodo Noogo Association (Africa) helped the citizens of Sissene have this opportunity by completing the construction of a water reservoir in June 2008.

Women Helping Women
In order to help each other, our strategy is:
- Identify women leaders in rural areas
- Listen to their needs, ideas, and sustainable Projects for   improving life in their communities;
- Provide low and/or no interest loans from a revolving fund to   help activate their Projects;
- Coordinate Projects with educators and the private sector to   enable use of current technology that could help make each   Project sustainable.

Costs
The water reservoir built in Sissene has a capacity of 6,000 cubic meters or approximately 1.5 million gallons. To design and build the reservoir cost approximately $75,000.00. This cost included the design, engineering, soils analysis, site selection, construction, equipment, materials, supplies, construction supervision, water testing and certification. A majority of the labor needed for the construction of the reservoir was donated by the residents of the village of Sissene. The leaders and citizens of this community are committed to the ongoing maintenance and use of the reservoir.

Benefits
The water reservoir promotes the economic viability of Sissene by enabling beneficial and lucrative activities relating to farming and breeding livestock. The reservoir is the essential resource needed for the population to have gardens for food and market products. It enables residents to raise animals such as chickens, guinea fowl, pigs, goats, sheep and cattle. Water is also essential for reforestation. And, it is a key ingredient for building clay bricks that can then be used to construct homes and family compounds; as well as schools, health clinics, and other commercial and public buildings.

Sustainability
This water reservoir can make Sissene a thriving and sustainable community. The people of Sissene may need additional technical and financial support to fully realize the benefits of the water. Community Building Group and Zodo Noogo Association are committed to providing this assistance to Sissene and using this as a model project for reproduction throughout the dry lands of Africa.

Additional Activities and Funding
Money is needed to help pay for the construction of additional reservoirs with a rain garden filter system/ slow sand filter systems.

To participate, please see details on the contact us page.