Phase 2 of the Mayega Water Project has increased the number of water distribution points (DP’s) in Mayega village from one to six, with the seventh due on stream shortly. This covers all the sub-villages, with 535 households in total. There are also standpipes in the school and dispensary.

The dispensary previously relied on rain water harvesting – directing rain water off the roof into a tank.

Engineers from Busega District Council toured the DP’s and spoke to the ‘tap keepers’ to check all the points are working well. No significant problems were reported. The water is available in the morning from 7am to 12 midday and from 4 to 7pm. Household usage is recorded by the tap keeper. The cost is 50 shillings (1.5p) per large bucket.

One keeper was asked what difference the DP had made to her life. She said that it avoided an hour long trip to the Lake Victoria and back, to collect water. There have been two fatalities in the Mayega area in the last two years, and one other attack, from crocodiles.
The partnership between the village, the District Council, the Rotary Club of Elgin and Busega Scotland has been particularly encouraging, to deliver the Phase 2 on time and under budget. But most importantly, it is making such a difference to lives of the villagers.