The Water Source of Life and Development Project in Cibitoke
The project Water source of life and development in Cibitoke aims to improve access to drinking water, hygiene and sanitation services for the communities of Rugombo and Mugina, in the province of Cibitoke (Burundi). The first phase of this initiative involves the construction of 20 ecological latrines financed by the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and built by AMU in collaboration with CASOBU.
The progress of the work to everyone’s satisfaction
The work in Cibitoke province is well underway. Twelve latrines are almost completed, only some finishing touches are missing. As for the other eight, the walls are being built. The pace is fast. There is the will and enthusiasm to finish soon and see the project realized. The local community is determined to achieve this goal. The permanent secretary of the municipality of Mugina is very satisfied: “We are happy. No one will have to dig holes in the ground anymore, polluting the aquifers, in this way we can protect the environment” . There is also a second advantage: the community will have access to natural fertilizer to fertilize the fields. Without a doubt, a positive impact on public hygiene and local agriculture is expected.
What will happen next?
Once this first phase of the project is completed, a training course will be organized for the two communities on the use and maintenance of the latrines. This educational aspect is crucial to ensure the sustainability of the project and to ensure that its impact on public health and development in the region is lasting.
It wasn’t easy getting here
The goal has almost been achieved, there is little left before the twenty latrines will be available to the community. 
But we must not forget that realizing this type of project in Burundi is not easy: the obstacles faced – and fortunately overcome – in recent months have not been few. First of all the lack of fuel and the continuous increase in the price of construction materials, which have slowed down the pace of the work. Another great difficulty is represented by the supply of water necessary for the construction of the latrines: the fact that to go and get it you have to travel kilometers has greatly complicated the situation. It has therefore been a continuous challenge, but it is thanks to the collaboration of everyone that we will soon be able to celebrate the end of this first part of the work.
