In a heartwarming celebration, the residents of Adepi Village in Iruko Parish, Kadungulu Subcounty, Kasilo County, today marked the culmination of a long-awaited project as Akuoro Restore Hope Initiative (RHOI-Uganda) handed over a fully functional borehole to the community. The event brought cheers and tears of gratitude, marking the end of a four-year struggle for access to clean water.

The borehole, funded by Nepal-Inzlingen, a Germany-based organization, was officially handed over by Mr. Okiror Solomon, Executive Director of RHOI-Uganda. During the ceremony, Okiror emphasized the urgent need for the project, stating, “We selected Adepi after collaboration with the Serere District Water Office, which highlighted the critical water shortage. This initiative is our way of addressing a basic human need.”

Beyond water access, RHOI-Uganda also invested in community empowerment. The organization trained over 10 Village Health Teams (VHTs) in sanitation and hygiene practices. These teams then educated 350 households on constructing tippy-taps (handwashing stations) and other critical hygiene measures. “We trained VHTs to ensure knowledge multiplies. Their role was vital in ensuring sustainable change,” Okiror shared.

The Serere District Water Officer, Mr. Okolimong Daniel, praised RHOI-Uganda for its commitment. “This project is a lifeline for Adepi. By addressing both water and hygiene, RHOI has not only solved an immediate crisis but also laid a foundation for long-term health improvements,” he said.

District Vice Chairperson Anna Beatrice Abeja echoed this sentiment, urging the community to safeguard their new resource. “We are grateful to RHOI and its partners for prioritizing Adepi. Now, it’s on the people to maintain and protect this borehole,” she stated.

The emotional highlight came from Adepi Village Chairperson, Mr. Okanya Silver, who confessed to years of frustration. “For four years, we’ve longed for clean water. RHOI has come to our rescue, and we are forever thankful. This borehole is a gift of hope,” he said, visibly moved.

The borehole and accompanying hygiene education are expected to transform daily life in Adepi, reducing waterborne diseases and alleviating the time and labor required to fetch water from distant, unsafe sources. The project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between local and international partners in addressing development challenges.