Project Gundom

$1 = 2000 gallons of fresh water

82%

Project Gundom is a collaborative effort between the Meta Quality of Life Improvement Foundation (MQLIF), the University of Pennsylvania chapter of Engineers without Borders (PennEWB), and Hydros to bring clean drinking water to the villagers of Gundom, Cameroon.

Village Profile

Gundom is a small village of approximately 30 households located in the Bome Valley in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Based on a 2007 survey done by the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Global Water Initiative, only 32% of the drinking water sources were protected and there was no piped water source. The average household spent 52 minutes a day getting drinking water each day. The small size, active community, and immense need for a new water distribution system made Gundom the best village to work with.

Location: Gundom, Bome, Valley, Northwest Province, Cameroon

Size (area): 8 sq km

Population: 300

Industry: agrarian - cassava, coco yams, potatoes, and plantains

Language: Meta

System Profile

Two spring protection and distribution systems – one at the Chenam spring site and another at the Fon spring site – were constructed. The Chenam system consists of a spring protection box and a gravity-fed water distribution system that services 14 households. The Fon system, which must first pump the water uphill, consists of a storage tank, hand-pump, and a distribution tank. The Fon system will provide clean water to 4 stand pipes located throughout the village.

Location: 25 years

Storage Volume: 4,000 liters

Standpipes: 12

Cost: $4885

Capacity: Roland Fobang

Director: Meta

EWB Profile

Engineers Without Borders-USA envisions a world where everyone has the capacity to sustainably meet their basic human needs. Through numerous professional and student chapters, they partner with developing communities in over 45 countries across the world.

Year founded: 2000

Mission: EWB-USA supports community-driven development programs worldwide by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences and responsible leaders

MQLIF Profile

AMQLIF is a Meta based NGO that supports projects aimed at improving the quality of life of the people of the Meta region. The organization works on community development projects, including literacy and technology education initiatives, as well as sanitation improvement schemes. Started by Dr. Godlove Fonjweng, a former University of Pennsylvania professor, MQLIF and PennEWB have worked together since 2007, when PennEWB began its first water distribution project in the village of Kob/Tudig.

Year founded: 2000

Mission: The Meta Quality of Life Improvement Foundation (MQLIF) supports projects aimed at improving the quality of life of the people in the Meta region of Cameroon. MQLIF carries out various development projects, including infrastructure, aquaculture, computer literacy, HIV/AIDS education, and micro-lending to local trade groups such as weavers, carvers and others.