Clean Water Wells

Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in Africa, ranking 181st out of the 187 countries on the United Nation Development Programme’s Human Development Index (2015). 44.6 percent of the population lives below the poverty level, on less than $1.25 per day (World Bank, 2013). The Pulte Institute, in partnership with a South Bend church, Engage Burkina, and Accedes, successfully dug nine new wells in eight rural communities in the first half of 2014. The Pulte Institute designed an evaluation to help determine the impact of the new wells in these communities. The study found that the new wells allow easier access to drinking water for approximately 3,000 people and 7,000 cattle, thus facilitating the daily hygiene, drinking, and household needs of the local population, as well as the hydration of animals. Furthermore, impact was positive in economic indicators and social cohesion.