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Jaidee Daycare Center Flood Remediation and Water Project – Thailand
The Jaidee Daycare Development Center is a children’s center under the supervision of Jaidee Sub-District Administrative Office located in Thailand’s Northeastern province of Sisaket.
Jaidee Daycare accommodates 60 students, ages 2-4. The building experiences two significant problems, namely flooding during the rainy season and the poor quality of water for the consumption of students and staff. This project, under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Heidi Mahoney, addresses both problems.
The daycare building itself sits on a lowland silt area. Often during the monsoon rainy season, rain pours down in short, yet heavy showers. During these torrential rains, water mixed with mud, silt, and various ground residue, gushes into the daycare building. This causes a huge mess that often makes it necessary to close the building, and results in highly unhygienic conditions and increased susceptibility to water-borne disease.
The first part of this project addresses the flooding issue by constructing a new drainage system and elevating common ground around the daycare with concrete beams.
Two diagonal gutters starting at the roof will funnel rainwater into a drain connected to the village drainage system. In addition, concrete beams affixed around the structure will prevent water from entering the building.
Currently, there is no running water in the building, other than in the bathrooms. Most importantly, the water quality is not guaranteed. Water for personal use is accessed from local wells filled with unsanitary ground water, which is often unsuitable for even hand-washing and brushing teeth.
The daycare teachers have to purchase large jugs of drinking water to stock the daycare. Also, there are no sinks for dish washing or for children to wash their hands before and after meals and after using the restroom.
The second part of this project is for the purchase of a water purification tank connected to a common water canteen as well as the installation of sinks with running water.
Project funds will be used for the tank and PVC supply and drainage piping. Labor will be provided by the community.
In addition to the day care teachers and children, approximately 1,452 local villagers will be able to access this water source for drinking and household use.
This project has the support of teachers, parents, and local administrators who recognize its importance and have pledged the necessary resources. This will ensure the sustainability of the project far into the future.
This project has now been fully funded through the generosity of The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust 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 Heidi of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by the PCV and/or other projects in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.
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