By Jane B. Mansaray
Newly constructed and improved sanitation and water facilities have been officially handed over to communities across Kenema District, marking another milestone in Goal Sierra Leoneโs rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme.
The facilities include water points serving communities, schools and health facilities. The intervention is expected to improve access to safe and reliable water for thousands of people across the district.
For residents, the official handover of the water points represents more than a ceremonial occasion. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for communities that have waited for reliable water services to become part of their daily lives.
For some families, having a water point within easy reach means spending less time searching for water. For schools and health facilities, improved access is expected to create better conditions for pupils, patients and health workers.
One community resident described the difference the new water point has made to her daily routine:
โBefore, my morning started at 5:00 a.m. searching for water. Now, the tap is a few minutes from my house. That extra time means I can get my children ready for school, and Iโm not exhausted before the day even starts. We will protect it, because itโs protecting us.โ
Speaking on the intervention, a representative of Goal Sierra Leone said the organisation has been expanding access to water in Kenema District for several years.
โSince 2018, Goal Sierra Leone, with support from Charity: Water, has constructed hundreds of water points across Kenema District. This latest intervention brings the number of water points constructed by Goal Sierra Leone in the district to 731, extending access to some of the districtโs most vulnerable communities,โ the representative said.
The handover underscores the importance of sustained investment in rural WASH infrastructure and community ownership to ensure that water facilities remain functional and continue serving communities for years to come
