In 2016, UVP spearheaded the construction of a new borehole in Namunkanaga 1 Village. I met Isabirye five years later during a routine follow-up to ensure the well was in good working order.
When I walked up to greet him, dressed in my green UVP t-shirt, Isabirye’s smile grew. Though we had never met before, he immediately knew that UVP was on the scene.
Isabirye serves as the borehole caretaker, a role he has held proudly since 2016. In this capacity, he works with the village chairperson and mobilizes resources from the community-at-large to manage repairs, lead clean-up days, and encourage the community to fetch water from this improved source.
Community engagement is essential to the long-term sustainability of each borehole that UVP builds, and a key aspect of our WASH program. After construction, we hand ownership back to the community, ensuring local buy-in and investment.
UVP is proud of Isabirye’s unwavering commitment to maintaining the borehole, and we celebrate five years of clean water for the community!
By Alex Basalirwa, WASH Program Assistant
*Isabirye’s story is shared with his consent.