According to UNICEF, only 52% of the population of the Democratic Republic of Congo has access to an improved water source and 29% to improved sanitation facilities. Despite a natural abundance of water resources, drinking water remains a rare commodity for the Congolese population, mainly due to the lack of infrastructure¹. Seeking to increase health and safety at UCBC, its primary schools, and the surrounding community, UCBC began a WASH project this year. 

WASH Project Goals: 

• Increase the number of latrines at UCBC, Académie Bilingue du Congo (ABC), and La Charité Bilngue du Congo (LCB)
• Ensure working/expanded handwashing stations are available at each school campus
• Increase capacity to serve the local community through new community water kiosks
• Increase safety at UCBC with the new community water kiosk being located on the edge of campus instead of the middle of campus
• Educate girls about health and menstruation hygiene and provide reusable pads, breaking barriers for girls and women to remain in school

Phase 1 (completed in October 2024):

1. Facilities in the UCBC Administration Building were upgraded and expanded.
2. Facilities in the UCBC Community Center were operationalized by constructing a septic system.
3. The UCBC student toilet block was upgraded and expanded.

Each location now has handwashing facilities, hand dryers, and trash cans. 

A large water tank capacity of 10,000 liters was also installed on the UCBC campus. This strategic infrastructure project ensures a continuous supply of drinking water for UCBC and the local community. A mini water treatment plant now at UCBC provides clean water at an affordable price to the entire community of Beni. This eco-friendly system uses solar power and reusable jerry cans.

Phase one also included instruction for the women of the Holistic Family Development (HDF) vocational training program on how to sew reusable menstrual hygiene pads from a local trainer. Lack of information or misinformation and lack of supplies are primary barriers to girls’ and young women’s educational attainment. The women of HFD created 350 pad kits which were distributed, along with educational materials, to women and girls over age 12 at UCBC and the two primary schools.

Phase 2:

The next phase of the project will reinforce an existing well at the Holistic Family Development Center and LCB. Safe and clean drinking water stations, including another community water kiosk. Additional latrines and handwashing stations will allow teachers and students to have their own expanded facilities, meeting the needs of a growing population and decreasing the risk of the spread of illness/infection. This work will benefit hundreds of vulnerable women engaged in vocational training at HFD, impoverished children enrolled at LCB, as well as many impoverished neighbors. 

Phase 3:

The final phase will inlcude drilling a well at ABC and increasing latrines and handwashing stations at that campus.  

This Advent season, we give thanks for Living Water as we celebrate Immanuel, God with us. Thank you to our partners who embody “tuko pamoja” – “we are together” – working towards lasting change in Congo. This WASH project is just one example of how UCBC and its community engagement initiatives are a beacon of hope in Beni. 

1. World Bank ↩︎