U.S. Africa Command restores water supply to Onjuva clinic

KUNENE, OCT. 13 – Residents from the Onjuva village in the Kunene Region have a sustainable source of potable water once
more, following the construction of a borehole, as well as the installation of water purification and softening systems, for the Onjuva Clinic. This borehole project was funded by the United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) to the tune of US$98,821.01, with Geo Pollution Technologies contracted to perform the work.

Shortly after the clinic – which was funded by both USAFRICOM and the Ministry of Health and Social Services – was inaugurated in June 2017, the community borehole supplying water to the clinic collapsed, leading Minister of Health and Social Services Dr. Bernard Haufiku, to request assistance from U.S. Embassy Windhoek.

The head nurse at the Onjuva Clinic, Jeremia Freeman, said the borehole and purifier are a welcome relief and will ensure that they can continue to provide health services in a sanitary environment to the surrounding community. Following the collapse of the community borehole, water had to be transported via a pick-up truck with water tanks from a nearby community campsite’s borehole at great expense.

Kautjuukua Tjivinda (left) and the head nurse at the Onjuva clinic, Jeremia Freeman, wash their hands with water from the newly constructed borehole.

Jeremia expressed his gratitude to the U.S. Government in answering the community’s call for help, adding that the water from the new borehole is of a much higher quality than before due to the filtration and purifying system.

Reaching the rural community was no easy feat, especially when transporting the necessary drilling equipment. “It is essentially a two day drive from Windhoek. The site is very remote and can only be reached by roads that are, in some places, barely better than 4×4 trails,” said Lt Col John Lacy, Senior Defense Official and Defense Attaché for U.S. Embassy Windhoek, about USAFRICOM’s effort to ensure healthcare in rural areas. – NDN Staffer