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March 23, 2006
Fighting the water-beast in Burkina Faso
There was notable enthusiasm in two Fulani villages I visited during my time in Burkina Faso - Moussa's village of Yengerentou, and Yusufi's village. The reason for the excitement was that in both places, pumps that had been broken down were now repaired.
The lack of a ready source of clean water means either a walk - usually for the women - of several miles to the next pump - which will of course then be twice as crowded. Or, a return to the closer, unclean supplies of hand-dug wells or lakes. Dirty water is the source of many life-threatening diseases, including diarrhoea, hepatitis, cholera, typhoid, and schistosomiasis.
On a previous visit to Yusufi's village, our clean water had run out, and the water had not yet arrived from the distant pump. One of our number thus resorted to filtering the local water through his turban to try and remove the worst of the impurities, including the dreaded Guinea Worm. Guinea Worm is a horrible little worm. Once inside, the worm can grow up to 2-3ft long, and will then eventually emerge through the skin on the feet. It is very painful, and can incapacitate someone for 2-3 months - or more if if gets infected. As this usually happens during the rainy season, when work is needed in the fields, it is disastrous. You don't want to get Guinea Worm. The Burkina Faso government has a vigorous campaign encouraging people to use clean water supplies, where possible, and to filter water otherwise (hence the turban).
Yesterday was World Water Day. 1 in 5 of the world's population still lack access to clean water. Remember these stories when you turn on the tap, or complain about not being able to use the garden sprinkler because of a water shortage.
So, everyone was happy that their pumps were working well. The one in Yengerentou was busy - pumps become a social place of meeting and laughter, as everyone waits their turn. We used to collect the water every day at Boukouma, and I can assure you that turning the tap on at home was never so much fun.
And in Yusufi's village, the water was clean and pure... and decidedly less chewy.
Tags: africa burkina burkina faso guinea worm travel world water day water sahel disease health
Posted by Keith at March 23, 2006 08:40 AM
