The villages of Kob and Tudig, communities jointly comprised of about 100 households, are located in the Bome Valley of the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Based on a 2007 assessment survey done by the University of Pennsylvania, none of the population has ever had access to potable water. Households must spend hours a day gathering water from unreliable sources, resulting in high incidences of diarrhea and other water-borne illnesses. These issues, and the strong engagement of the community members, make the villages of Kob and Tudig ideal for new water distribution systems.

Location: Kob & Tudig, Bome, Valley, Northwest Province, Cameroon

Size (area): 15 sq km

Population: 1000

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

Language: Meta

The water system is segmented into two spring sites, the Wumzang and Chusum. The Wumzang spring system consists of a spring protection box and gravity-fed water distribution system that services approximately 10 households. The Chusum system is likewise made up of a spring protection box and gravity-fed pipe system, which serves the majority of the population, the Community Church, and Health Center.

Wumzang & Chusum spring sites

Storage Volume: 3000 & 20,000 liters respectively

Standpipes: 12

Cost: $11,490

Capacity: 7.9L/min & 39.5L/min respectively

Director: Roland Fobang

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

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.