Water wise community actions in Cameroon

The “Community Water Audit and Infrastructure Development” project was launched to enhance water quality and access in remote areas of Buea, Cameroon. The project aimed to improve community health by evaluating the city's water infrastructure, repairing public taps, distributing water purifying chemicals to hostels, conducting water conservation workshops, and raising awareness through online campaigns. The goal was to ensure clean, safe drinking water for all, promoting overall community wellbeing. 

Key objectives included a comprehensive evaluation of water infrastructure, providing water purifying chemicals to 20 hostels, organizing educational workshops on water conservation, and launching public awareness campaigns. GoGreen Technologies, a youth-focused NGO, spearheaded the project, partnering with the European Union Green Week to leverage resources and expertise. 

GoGreen Technologies is dedicated to empowering youth through education, leadership development, and environmental initiatives. The organization focuses on fostering sustainable practices and community health, particularly through improved access to clean water. 

The EU Green Week partnership emphasized water as a vital resource, raising awareness about water resilience, addressing issues like mismanagement and pollution, and promoting sustainable water practices. 

During the project, several activities were carried out, including community patrols to assess and repair public taps, roundtable discussions on water infrastructure challenges, and educational campaigns on effective water purification methods and water resilience. These initiatives engaged over 1,300 participants, fostering community involvement in water management. 

However, challenges arose, such as trust issues with the distribution of water purification chemicals and public mishandling of water taps. Recommendations for future projects include enhancing trust through education and partnerships, promoting proper use of public infrastructure, and expanding community engagement efforts. Despite these challenges, the project successfully raised awareness, improved water infrastructure, and engaged the community in sustainable water management practices. 

“Transforming life through clean water, the project ignited a wave of community resilience and sustainability.” 

Local Leader