You are hereWhat We’re Doing – Right Now! / Malobi Rainwater Harvesting Project - Suriname
Malobi Rainwater Harvesting Project - Suriname
The village of Malobi in the District of Saramacca is located in the heart of the Surinamese rainforest. Due to its remote location, work opportunities are scarce and access to basic necessities, such as clean drinking water and electricity, is inconsistent.
This project is to provide clean drinking water for the 600 residents that live in the village. The goal is to implement an accessible, sustainable, and easy-to-maintain system that will provide clean drinking water throughout the village.
To achieve its objectives, the community has planned a rainwater catchment program based on rooftop water collection and storage. The concept was arrived at after careful consideration of all of the options available to the village.
The project is intended to reduce the incidence of frequent gastro-intestinal illness prevalent due to the current use of contaminated water from the river. It will be carried out under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Amber Ray.
The project will utilize large, round, covered tanks, commonly known as “duro tanks”. These tanks are popular in the region, easy to maintain, and sustainable.
A total of 46 rainwater-harvesting tanks, each with a capacity to store 400 gallons, will be installed at convenient locations throughout the village.
Project funds will be used to purchase the tanks, gutters, fixtures, and materials.
Each of the 36 sections into which the village is divided will provide the labor for the installation and maintenance for each water system. The sections will also contribute the sand to make the concrete for the foundation of the stand for the tank.
The community will also contribute the labor for loading and unloading all materials and the use of the boat.
Each section will also communally donate a monetary contribution of 50 SRD (about $20 USD) per tank.
Members of the water committee will help train other villagers in proper maintenance of the duro tanks, which will expand their longevity to 20 years.
Basic sanitation concepts relating to clean water will also be taught to all the people of the village.
In providing readily-accessible safe water to the entire community using this appropriate technology, the standard of living will be improved, the work of retrieving water will be reduced, and illness will be drastically decreased.
The Water Charity participation in this project has been fully funded, through the generosity of Six Senses Resorts & Spas as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Amber Ray of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Amber and/or those of other PCVs in the country.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.
This summer the Peace Corps community has an opportunity to be part of an extraordinary effort to improve our communities through volunteer service.
President Obama’s summer service initiative, United We Serve, is a call to all Americans to join a volunteer effort this summer and be part of building a new foundation for America, one community at a time. Please visit the 
