XO World Project Foundation Hands Over Mechanized Boreholes to Nine Communities in Builsa North Municipality
Initiative brings relief to residents and supports access to clean water for rural communities
- The project includes three solar-powered mechanized boreholes and six manually operated hand-pump boreholes in nine communities
- The boreholes aim to provide clean water, reduce long treks for water, and support dry-season farming
- Communities are encouraged to adopt proper maintenance plans to ensure long-term benefits
Access to potable water remains a significant challenge for residents of many rural and remote communities in the Builsa North Municipality of the Upper East Region.
Women and children are often compelled to trek long distances daily in search of water, primarily from streams, rivers, ponds, and other open sources, for their domestic and economic needs.
A concerning consequence of this is that schoolchildren frequently lose instructional hours as they search for water to bathe, causing them to arrive at school late or miss classes altogether. In many rural schools, the lack of potable water forces children to return home for drinking water during school hours, with some failing to return.
To address this longstanding issue, the XO World Project Foundation, a United States-based non-governmental organization (NGO), has constructed nine boreholes over the past two years in various communities within the Builsa North Municipality.
These include three solar-powered mechanized boreholes and six manually operated hand-pump boreholes.
The boreholes are expected to provide safe drinking water for schoolchildren and community members who previously had to walk several kilometers daily to fetch water. Additionally, the facilities aim to support dry-season farming within the communities.
The beneficiary communities include Nawasa No. 1, Nawasa No. 2, Azug-Yeri, Nanjupiung, Bilinsa Pungsa, Yipala, Kandem, Akure-Yeri, and Siniensa Yikpien.
Speaking at a ceremony to hand over one of the boreholes at the Bilinsa Pungsa community on Saturday, January 18, 2025, the founder and CEO of the NGO, Madam Colleen Brennan, emphasized the foundation’s vision of providing safe drinking water to rural communities.
She highlighted the mission of the XO World Project Foundation to improve the quality of life for women and children in underserved communities worldwide by providing essential healthcare and sustainable solutions.
“XO World Project Foundation is equally committed to breaking the cycle of poverty that leads to poor health by increasing access to clean water, promoting sustainable food sources through dry-season farming technology, and expanding community health outreach programs,” she stated.
Madam Brennan underscored the importance of clean water as a basic necessity and urged community members to take good care of the boreholes to ensure their sustainability for future generations.
The CEO acknowledged Hon. Vida Anaab, a personal associate and outgoing Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the area, for inviting the foundation to support the municipality. She noted that the foundation’s support has been ongoing for the past three years.
In her remarks, Hon. Vida Anaab expressed gratitude to the NGO for addressing the water challenges in the municipality without relying on central government intervention. She encouraged the beneficiary communities to adopt a strong maintenance culture to preserve the facilities.
The Assembly Member for the Bilinsa Electoral Area, Hon. Clifford Apag-Yarik, praised the project, describing it as a significant relief for the community. He pledged that the community would implement a proper maintenance plan to ensure the longevity of the facilities.
Women’s groups in the beneficiary communities expressed their joy and appreciation through traditional songs and dances, thanking Madam Colleen Brennan and her team for their generosity.
By Kwaching Edmond
