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SPRING ISSUE #17 - APRIL 2013
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FACE Africa County-by-County Program begins in RiverCess
On January 26, FACE Africa held a ground-breaking ceremony in Sengbloh Town, RiverCess County to officially kick-off our County-by-County (CbC) initiative. With CbC, our goal is to construct approximately 250 clean water points in RiverCess by 2017. Once completed, the program will provide complete water coverage to RiverCess County, benefiting over 60,000 residents, and will ensure that RiverCess meets the Liberian Government's 250 persons per safe water point standard. RiverCess remains one of Liberia's most marginalized areas, under-served in water and sanitation and least likely to be served through the efforts of government and other agencies. FACE Africa's County-by-County program will address the county's challenge in meeting the Millennium Development Goal for water by 2017.
In less than a month, with generous funding from the Voss Foundation through the Lene Maria for Rent Vann fundraising campaign, we completed 5 water projects in Sengbloh Town, Toby Town, James Town, Mendeh Town and the disabled compound in Cestos City. These 5 projects are now serving approximately 2,000 people.
 | | a young girl fetches water from main water source in Sengbloh Town |
 | | Fetching water from main water source in Sengbloh Town |
 | | FACE Africa's team assesses an abandoned well in Sengbloh Town |
Attending the ground-breaking ceremony in Sengbloh Town were our Executive Director Saran Kaba Jones, our Program Coordinator Mr. Emmett Wilson, RiverCess County Engineer Mr. Jerome Smith, RiverCess County Protocol Mr. Alphonso Kebbeh, RiverCess County Information Officer Mr. Saturday Zialu, and members of GUDCA, the local development agency responsible for implementing our projects. During the ground-breaking ceremony, Ms. Kaba Jones and the entire delegation stressed the need for community participation and ownership before, during and after project implementation. Residents of Sengbloh Town pledged their full support and commitment to the project.  | | Saran Kaba Jones, Emmett Wilson, Jerome Smith at the CbC Groundbreaking Ceremony in Sengbloh Town |
 | Women are fully engaged in the implementation process of all our water projects
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 | | More participation from women in the community |
 | Our first completed CbC project in Sengbloh Town in partnership with the Voss Foundation
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Additionally we are grateful to some of our key supporters who pledged and funded water projects during FACE Africa's 3rd Annual Clean Water Gala at the St. Regis, New York. Combined, these individuals funded 7 projects, serving close to 3,000 residents in RiverCess County.  | | Thank you from RiverCess |
 | | Our hand pump in use by women and children Williamtown |
 | Clean and safe drinking water in RiverCess
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 | | Clean and safe drinking water in RiverCess |
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We're gearing up for Phase 2 of our County by County program in RiverCess which will see the completion of 5 - 10 projects. Also coming up is a full-scale water, sanitation and hygiene project in Kpor Town that will help reduce poverty and improve the quality of life of residents in the area.
 | | The main source of water in Kpor Town |
 | | A woman fetching water in Kpor Town |
 | | A common scene in RiverCess where residents drink water of poor quality |
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| | Another common scene in RiverCess - young children fetching water when they should be in school |
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> FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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WHEN I DONATE TO FACE AFRICA, HOW EXACTLY IS MY MONEY USED?
Donations to FACE Africa are used to directly fund water and sanitation projects in poor, under-served communities in Liberia. It costs approximately $5,000 to fund a new clean water project and $3,500 to rehabilitate a broken well/ hand pump. This amount includes the cost of raw materials, labor, equipment rentals, transportation and fuel, and training materials. A portion of the funds also goes towards direct project costs on the ground including our Program Coordinator's salary (FACE Africa's only paid full-time staff), local travel, communication, lodging in remote areas, water quality testing and monitoring and evaluation. FACE Africa has yet to own a vehicle or open an office. We rely heavily on volunteerism to accomplish our mission. A typical water project supplies 250-500 residents in a community and if maintained properly and frequently, water projects can last for up to 20 years.
 | Your donation funds materials and labor, among other things
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HOW DO I KNOW WHICH PROJECT MY DONATION FUNDED?
When you sponsor a full new water project ($5,000) or a rehab project ($2,500 - $3,500) you are recognized as the project sponsor and will be sent photos, progress reports, testimonials and a final report upon completion of the project. FACE Africa is also happy to coordinate a donor trip for you to visit your project and see the community it benefited. When you make a donation of less than $2,500, your donation is pooled together with other contributions to fund a water project. In this case, we provide general project updates on our website. We are currently working on a way to directly match smaller contributions with the projects they help fund.
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| When you sponsor a water project ($2,500 - $5,000), you are recognized as the project sponsor
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DOES FACE AFRICA WORK WITH LOCAL PARTNERS AND CONTRACTORS?
Yes, we work with Gunii Creek United Development Association (GCUDA), a local development agency run entirely by Liberians. We have worked with GCUDA for the past 2 years and they provide direct implementation of our projects with input from the community and our own local staff. By working through a local partner, we are able to operate more cost effectively than we could alone. GCUDA is a recognized and respected local development agency and their team of contractors and technicians possess a wealth of essential skills and knowledge, ranging from speaking local dialects and knowing local customs to understanding government standards and regulations for water projects. They have well-established relationships with local leaders and strong links with the community, enabling them to quickly gain communities' trust and confidence.
 | GUCDA's team of contractors and technicians led by Mr. Abdul Kareem Vandy
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HOW ARE FACE AFRICA'S WATER PROJECTS MAINTAINED?
With all of our projects a local Water Committee is established and fully trained in pump mechanic. The Water Committee is responsible for regular maintenance and servicing of their water facilities. Members of the Water Committee are on hand to observe the installation of the hand pump and also taught the makeup of the pump in case any minor repair work is required. Regular maintenance means the Water Committee will periodically check to ensure that all screws and connecting bolts on the pump are tight; ensure that the wooden bearings and steel on steel contact points are lubricated and, if worn, replaced; and ensure that any broken or worn parts or supports are promptly re-fastened or replaced. We provide each Water Committee with a repair kit once the project is turned over which they use for periodic maintenance and upkeep. The full training is provided so that local residents are equipped to run their projects in the long term and only call our staff or contractors when they have a serious problem.
 | | Pump Mechanic Training |
WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR OPTIMIZING SUSTAINABILITY OF YOUR WATER PROJECTS?
In our experience, many water projects fail and are unsustainable because of missing technical and financial support. We've seen a number of water projects at risk because many of them lack the maintenance and revenues to sustain future operations. As a result, we take the following steps to optimize sustainability of our projects:
a) use technologies that are low cost and appropriate to local conditions of the community
b) use locally sourced materials and spare parts that can be easily purchased and transported
c) involve locals in all stages of the work, from planning through building, to managing and maintenance so that they can take ownership of the project once completed
d) establish a water committee and conduct extensive pump mechanic training
e) fund repairs and maintenance for the first 2 years after project implementation
f) help community to establish a Water fund to be used after 2 years for major repairs
g) monitor projects every 3 - 6 months for the first few years after project implementation
h) monitor projects for at least 5 years after project implementation
 | | We involve local residents in all stages of the work, from planning through building |
BESIDES DONATING, ARE THERE OTHER WAYS THAT I CAN SUPPORT FACE AFRICA?
1) Spread the word - Talk to friends and colleagues, share our website and encourage others to join our social networks on Facebook (www.facebook.com/faceafrica) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/faceafrica). If you have connections within a corporation or foundation that might be interested in funding our work, introduce us to them.
2) Host a fundraising event - There are many ways you can help raise funds for FACE Africa. From sponsored events, yard sales to eBay auctions. We will provide you with all the promotional materials you need including brochures, stories, films and audio. We can also help you set up your own fundraising webpage through www.justgiving.com.
3) Lend a hand - If you or your organization have a skill, service or product that would help FACE Africa, that is another great way to lend your support. Are you a photographer, graphic designer, writer, musician, or online advertising specialist and have time or services that you would like to donate to FACE Africa? Contact us at: contact@faceafrica.org.
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Our 4th Annual Gala attracted close to 350 guests and so far has raised a little over $70,000, enough to build 15 - 20 clean water systems in RiverCess County. To all who took the time to travel long and far to join us on March 23rd, THANK YOU! It will all be happening again next year [Saturday March 22nd) and we hope to see you there!
 
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FACE Africa featured on CNN 'Inside Africa'
FACE Africa has embarked on a major initiative that's aiming to solve the water
crisis in River Cess, one of Liberia's most underserved areas, where only one fifth
of its 80,000 population has access to adequate drinking water. Read More...
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Africa's top women achievers
To celebrate international women's day on March 8th, the Guardian UK asked readers to name women from across the continent who they felt deserve recognition. Here Guardian lists the top 25 women including FACE Africa Founder Saran Kaba Jones at number 15. Read More... |
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FACE Africa Founder is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader 2013
The Founder and Executive Director of FACE Africa is among 199 young leaders from
70 countries who were honored by the World Economic Forum for their professional
accomplishments and commitment to society. Read More...
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The World Economic Forum Announces Young Global Leaders Class of 2013
Geneva, Switzerland, 12 March - The World Economic Forum announced today the
Young Global Leaders (YGL) Class of 2013. These individuals have been recognized
for their professional achievements and commitment to society. Read More...
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Saran Kaba Jones featured in Town&Country Magazine February 2013 Issue
In September 2012, our Founder Ms. Kaba Jones was a recipient of the Longines and
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> GIVE THE GIFT OF CLEAN WATER
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$20 PROVIDES ONE PERSON WITH CLEAN WATER
Click here to make a one time or recurring tax-deductible donation to FACE Africa.
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