Drilling for a source in Bobo Dioulasso

The Little Sisters of the Assumption community in Sector 24 of Bobo Dioulasso has begun to develop a plot of land with a view to building premises for the community and mission. To do this, before starting construction work, it was necessary to first find water. The Sisters called in a dowser to identify the right place to drill a borehole..

How did the idea for spring come about ?

The idea for the spring came from the fact that, in the city of Bobo Dioulasso, there are repeated water cuts, and to ensure that the work and mission were not delayed and disturbed.   We saw it as absolutely necessary to look for a source of water that would facilitate our project and mission. We wanted to take advantage of the natural resources of our land and avoid spending so much money paying bills to the National Water Board (ONEA). The spring could help other people in the neighborhood who were short of water, and also would result in one less expense, for watering the garden… It was a good idea to avoid blackouts, which cause difficulty in carrying out our mission and in the day to day.

The work of the dowser

Before digging a well, we looked for a dowser, one who has mastered his work and knows how to locate the presence of the underground water table; to do this, he used tools that react to energy waves: for this he uses rods and a dowser’s pendulum. In the same plot of land, three water sources were identified. The dowser’s work was a success and enabled the drilling work to continue.

Chronology of the project and work

To begin with, we drew up various proposals and chose a contractor. Then we brought in the dowser to look for possible water sources on the site, with a view to drilling a borehole. The dowser meticulously surveyed the land to find the water. The presence of water was successfully detected, the drilling machine came to dig and from 20 meters the water began to come out; every five meters they deposited a small quantity of sand, and we dug up to 60 meters. The measurement of the amount of water per hour was 15 cubic meters. A sample of one and a half litres was analyzed and found to comply with the drinking water standard required in Burkina Faso.

Solar panels had to be installed to power the pump. Finally, construction of the water tower is progressing step by step, to ensure a good structure for the tank’s stability. The project is therefore underway for about four months: one month for drilling, four months for the water tower, which will soon be completed

Where did the need and idea to build new rooms come from? The room where we carry out our mission is often occupied by the numerous activities of the parish, which has grown considerably. So, to make it easier for us to carry out our mission, we decided to build new premises.

What will the building on this site be used for?

The building will have multiple functions: it will be used to continue activities already underway, such as literacy training for adults and young teenagers, manual workshops, vacation activities, etc., but also for new projects planned for the future with the local population, particularly in the field of socio-medical, care and prevention work.

How has the project been received in the neighborhood?

When we put out the call, people responded, and they’re happy to see something come into being; yes, it’s a source of hope for this population.