Stories
July 29, 2026 • 3 min read
For nearly seven years, people in Tehma, Sierra Leone, relied on an unsafe stream after repeated attempts to find groundwater failed. Through support from Charity: Water, GOAL Sierra Leone developed an alternative solution that now provides safe, reliable water to both Tehma and the neighbouring community of Jao. Families no longer have to make long journeys to collect water or worry about waterborne illness.
Many rural communities in Sierra Leone still struggle to access safe drinking water. In Tehma, several attempts to drill a successful borehole were unsuccessful because groundwater could not be found. Rather than ending the project, GOAL Sierra Leone and Charity: Water designed a solar-powered water system that brings water from a successful borehole in nearby Jao to serve both communities.
Seven Years Without Safe Water
For years, people in Tehma lived without a reliable source of safe drinking water. Families depended on a nearby stream that was often contaminated and could dry up during the dry season. Collecting water was time-consuming, and many people became ill after drinking it.
Baby Dakowa, 39, remembers how difficult daily life was.
“We were suffering badly because of the lack of water. People were getting sick with stomach problems, and the water we used had a lot of algae.”
The community’s hopes rose when drilling work began in 2019. However, four separate attempts to find groundwater across different parts of the village were unsuccessful.
“They made four attempts, but we could not get water. We started to think we would never have clean water in this town.” The disappointment was especially difficult because nearby Jao found water on its first attempt, while Tehma continued to wait.
Mamie Saidu, a mother of four who has lived in Tehma for 18 years, said the lack of clean water affected every part of family life. “The path to the stream was very difficult, especially at night. The water was making both adults and children sick. Things are very different now.”
Finding a Different Solution
Instead of abandoning the project, GOAL Sierra Leone and Charity: Water looked for another way to bring safe water to Tehma.
According to Umaru Lamin, GOAL Sierra Leone’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Engineer, every possible drilling location had been explored without success.
“Drilling was carried out in the north, south, east and central parts of the town, but none of the sites produced enough water.”
Because a successful borehole had already been drilled in neighbouring Jao, engineers designed a solar-powered water system to supply both communities. Water is pumped from Jao to a storage tank and distributed through taps installed in Tehma and Jao.
Residents also helped make the project possible. Community members collected stones and other locally available materials, supported construction work, and took part in training to operate and maintain the new water system.
Safe Water Close to Home
Today, Tehma has four public taps supplying clean drinking water. Families no longer need to rely on an unsafe stream, and collecting water is quicker and safer.
For Baby Dakowa, the new water system is the result of years of patience and determination.
“Many times, we thought it would never happen. Today, we have clean water.” She also reflected on the community’s role in the project.
“We did not just wait for the work to be finished. We gathered stones, helped the workers where we could, and attended the training because we wanted this project to succeed.”
The project, funded by Charity: Water and implemented by GOAL Sierra Leone, has improved access to safe drinking water for both Tehma and Jao. Beyond providing clean water, it has reduced the burden on families, lowered the risk of waterborne disease, and strengthened local ownership of a system designed to serve the communities for years to come.
