A solar-powered well has brought fresh water to the residents of Boonkeey, 15 km from Baidoa.
The well was constructed by international NGO, Norwegian Refugee Council. It serves around 3,000 people in the area, mostly herders and farmers.
Hawo Sheikh Mohamed, a local resident, told Radio Ergo that many families had previously moved out of the town due to water shortages. “We used to trek to Baidoa in search of water but we usually came back empty-handed,” Hawo said.
Ibrahim Ali, from Salboy location, 15 km from Boonkeey town, brought his donkey loaded with empty jerry cans to fill at the well.
The area has no electricity and the cost of fuel for pumping water had made prices of the basic commodity often unaffordable for locals. It is hoped that solar power can be harnessed to run more wells in the area.
