Something precious happened at the Aladura Primary School in Buedu on 15 January. For the first time, fresh, clean water flowed from newly installed taps and wash basins, supplied by a storage tank perched atop the school’s new water tower. The tank is replenished by a solar-powered pump, replacing the old hand-cranked system that, until recently, was all the children had ever known. And the smiles on their faces say it all.
The new water storage and reticulation system is the culmination of a series of transformative projects at Aladura School. It began with the construction of two gender-specific VIP latrines and the establishment of a WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) education program.
Organised and led by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie in partnership with the Rotary Club of Bo, Sierra Leone, the projects have also received support through grants from The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Balwyn and Australian Aid. Together, these partners are truly uniting for good.
Construction of the water tower is now complete, marking a major milestone in improving access to clean water for both the school and the wider community. Separate taps have been installed to provide villagers with access to safe water — an invaluable benefit in a country where clean water remains a scarce resource.
The project also included deepening the existing well by 1.5 metres, installing an electric pump, and erecting the mounting platform
for solar panels. The solar-powered pump now lifts water from the well to the tank, from where it is gravity-fed to wash basins at the school buildings and the newly completed VIP toilet blocks — significantly improving hygiene and sanitation for students and staff.
Final tasks include installing signage, making good damaged paintwork, securing taps and basins to prevent theft, and establishing a regular maintenance program to ensure long-term sustainability. A village celebration is planned for the end of January, with invitations extended to community members and representatives of the Sierra Leone and Australian Governments.
The water storage and reticulation project is funded by the Rotary Club of Glenferrie with support from Australian Aid and Rotary Balwyn. It is being managed by the International Service Committee of the Rotary Club of Glenferrie and implemented under the close supervision of the Rotary Club of Bo, Sierra Leone.
To see all the photos from the Water Reticluation Project: Click here
Project Committee Members
Rotary Club of Glenferrie | Rotary Club of Bo | Local Community |
| Amelia Anderson - Chair Geoff Widmer Isaiah Lahai Paul Shekleton Don Moore Richard Blakeman | Taplima Muana Haruna Fillie Daniel Sama Elizabeth Bundu | Jonathan Bockerie - Engineer Tamba Lahai - Aladura Primary School
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