Imagine walking miles every day just to fetch water. The sun is scorching, your hands are sore, and yet the water you bring home may not even be clean. For the residents of Akute Odo, a small community in Ogun State, Nigeria, access to clean water has historically been a challenge.

Akute Odo community, like many communities in Nigeria, does not have access to pipe-borne municipal water. The wealthier members can afford to have their own private borehole. The less well-off, or the outright poor, have to buy water, and those who cannot afford it must rely on the generosity of strangers. Sometimes, these kind strangers live many miles away, making water access unpredictable and unreliable.

This all changed on June 16th, 2024, when Hope Spring Water, a Herefordshire and Lagos-based NGO, completed and handed over a community borehole water system that is already transforming lives.

This project, made possible in partnership with philanthropist Mr. Luqman Adekola and the support of Hope Spring eCards and Ozami eCards, is not just a water system, it’s a lifeline. It represents health, opportunity, and hope for a community that has struggled for clean water for decades.

The Borehole That Changed Everything

The Akute Odo borehole project is more than just a hole in the ground. It’s a carefully designed water system built with the community’s needs at heart:

• An 80-metre deep borehole, fitted with a high-quality submersible pump, ensuring water is reliably drawn from deep underground.

• A 4,000-litre tank, mounted on a sturdy 4-metre high scaffolding, to provide consistent water storage and pressure.

• Four standpipes, strategically placed at the community’s fetching area, so residents can access water safely and efficiently.

The timely handover of the borehole system could not have come at a more crucial time. Other communities not far from Akute Odo had recently reported cholera outbreaks, a deadly bacterial infection often spread through contaminated water. Access to a reliable and clean water source in Akute Odo now significantly reduces the risk of waterborne diseases, protecting residents, especially children and the elderly, from serious illness. The borehole doesn’t just provide water; it provides health, safety, and peace of mind for the entire community.

For the first time in Akute Odo’s history, the entire community has reliable access to clean water. Previously, attempts to build a borehole had failed due to funding shortages, leaving families to walk long distances to collect water from unreliable sources.

Why This Project Matters

Clean water is a cornerstone of public health. Contaminated water is linked to diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, which can devastate communities. By providing a sustainable water source, Hope Spring Water is not only preventing illness but also empowering residents to focus on growth and opportunity rather than survival.

This project aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. By completing the Akute Odo borehole, Hope Spring Water is taking a tangible step toward ending water poverty in Nigeria.

When the borehole was officially handed over, emotions ran high. Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Rahmat Adebisi, Hope Spring’s Director for Nigeria, said:

“We are very pleased to complete and hand this system to the community. It will help improve health and hygiene. There have been reports of cholera in other communities not far from here. We thank Mr. Luqman Adekola and our partners at HopeSpringeCards for their support.”

Community leaders were equally vocal, expressing deep gratitude to all sponsors. For women and children, who previously spent hours each day fetching water, this project has freed up time for education, work, and other economic activities. The ripple effects are already being felt: children can attend school regularly, women can pursue small businesses, and the entire community is healthier.

Behind the Scenes: Building a Borehole That Lasts

While the finished system is impressive, what many don’t see is the planning, research, and engineering that went into it. Boreholes are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Factors like water table depth, soil composition, and seasonal variations all affect whether a system will work long-term.

Hope Spring Water, working with engineers and local experts, carefully assessed the site, ensuring the borehole would deliver safe, reliable water for years to come. The submersible pump was chosen for durability, and the elevated tank ensures even water distribution, reducing wear and tear on the system.

Community Ownership: The Key to Sustainability

One of the most remarkable aspects of this project is community involvement. The responsibility for maintaining the borehole has been handed over to local leaders. Why is this important?

Projects supported by the local community tend to last longer because residents feel a sense of ownership. By training community members to oversee the system, Hope Spring Water ensures that the borehole remains functional and safe for years to come.

This approach has been central to Hope Spring Water’s strategy. Rather than simply donating a system and walking away, the NGO fosters local stewardship, creating lasting change that benefits generations.

A Partnership That Works

The Akute Odo project was possible because of the partnership between Hope Spring Water and Mr. Luqman Adekola, a philanthropist committed to improving community health. Together, they brought resources, expertise, and passion to a project that might otherwise never have seen the light of day.

Additionally, the project received funding from donations and eCard sales via Hope Spring eCards and Ozami eCards. Every eCard sent directly contributes to initiatives like Akute Odo, proving that small acts, sending a greeting, making a donation, offering skills, can collectively change lives.

Real Stories, Real Impact

It’s one thing to talk about pumps, tanks, and standpipes—but the real measure of success is in the lives that have been transformed. For the residents of Akute Odo, the new borehole is more than infrastructure; it’s hope, opportunity, and a daily relief. Here are some of their stories:

Nurudeen Idowu Ogunjowu, the Baale of Akute Odo, expressed gratitude to God and shared how difficult life had been for those who had to travel far or even pay for water. “It has been a challenge for many in our community, especially those who walked long distances or had to buy water. This borehole changes everything,” he said, speaking on behalf of the people.

Rudiyat Daodu, an elderly woman, described the relief and joy she feels now that clean water is so accessible. “I no longer worry about my grandchildren drinking unsafe water,” she said, her eyes reflecting years of struggle now eased.

Omotayo Ogunjubowu, the Iyalode of Akute Odo, emphasized the broader impact on the community, noting that women and children now have more time for education, trade, and community activities.

Idowu Adebisi, a young girl in the community, shared how exciting it is to have clean water nearby. “I used to help my mother fetch water from far away. Now, I can focus on my studies and spend more time with friends,” she said with a bright smile.

These stories reflect a profound truth: access to clean water is not just about hydration, it’s about dignity, opportunity, and life itself. For Akute Odo, the borehole is a daily reminder that community, partnership, and compassion can create lasting change.

Hope Spring Water’s 2024 Milestones

The Akute Odo project is the fourth clean water project completed by Hope Spring Water in 2024. Each project is part of a broader mission: providing clean, safe water to underserved communities across Nigeria.

Through careful planning, partnerships, and community engagement, Hope Spring Water is proving that water scarcity is not inevitable. With the right strategy, every community can have reliable access to safe water.

The success of the Akute Odo borehole shows that every contribution matters. There are several ways to support future projects:

• Send a Hope Spring eCard or Ozami eCard. Each eCard sale funds initiatives like boreholes and clean water systems.

• Make a donation to Hope Spring Water, directly contributing to community water projects.

• Volunteer your skills. From engineering to fundraising, every skill can help expand the reach of clean water projects.

Even small actions, like sending an eCard, ripple outward to create tangible, life-changing outcomes.

Access to clean water does more than improve health. It unlocks education, empowers women, stimulates local economies, and strengthens communities. With the borehole in Akute Odo, children can attend school consistently, women can engage in business activities, and the community can focus on growth instead of survival.

The Akute Odo borehole is more than a project, it’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and possibility. It shows what can happen when vision, commitment, and community come together to solve pressing challenges.

Looking Forward

Hope Spring Water continues its mission with renewed focus and determination. Every borehole, every standpipe, and every tank is a step toward a future where no community has to endure the daily struggle for clean water.

Akute Odo is just one of many communities that will benefit from Hope Spring Water’s work. With ongoing support from donors, eCard users, and philanthropists, more communities will see real, lasting change.

Clean water is a basic human right, yet millions still go without. The Akute Odo borehole project proves that change is possible. It reminds us that when communities, NGOs, and individuals unite, lives are transformed.

For the residents of Akute Odo, water is no longer a struggle, it’s an opportunity. And for Hope Spring Water, this project is a reminder that every effort, every partnership, and every eCard sent brings us closer to a world where clean water is accessible to all.

Common Questions: Clean Water Access in Nigeria (Q&A)

1. Why is clean water access such a challenge in rural Nigerian communities like Akute Odo?

Rural communities often lack piped municipal water infrastructure and rely on unreliable or unsafe sources, streams, open wells, or boreholes that frequently fail. In many places, only around 27% of rural residents have access to safe water, compared to 67% in urban areas. For some households, the cost of accessing water can exceed 30% of their monthly income 

2. What health risks arise from drinking contaminated water in Nigeria?

Contaminated water is a major vector for diseases like cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and diarrhoea. Half of under-five deaths in Nigeria are linked to waterborne illnesses Additionally, long-term exposure to pollutants can cause serious health issues, including kidney damage and increased cancer risk 

3. How does lack of clean water affect women and children?

Women and girls bear the brunt of water collection, spending hours each day fetching water, which disrupts education, work, and wellbeing. This also increases their vulnerability to health issues and gender-based violence 

4. What policies or programs exist to improve water and sanitation in Nigeria?

Nigeria has launched several initiatives, including the National Action Plan (NAP), 13-year strategy under the 2018 State of Emergency to ensure universal WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) by 2030, The National Urban Water Sector Reform Program (NUWSRP) aims to revamp urban water systems, while investments in water points and sanitation facilities are ongoing.

5. What role can community-led initiatives play in solving water access issues?

Community ownership is vital. Local engagement ensures infrastructure is maintained and sustainable. Programs like PEWASH and UNICEF-supported solar-powered boreholes have proven successful in rural areas, especially where reliable electricity is lacking 

6. Why do clean water projects sometimes fail in rural Nigeria?

Failures often stem from inadequate planning, poor maintenance, lack of local involvement, or corruption. Infrastructure is built without technical assessments, or funding doesn’t reach the community level.

7. How does Hope Spring Water’s Akute Odo project address these challenges?

By using a deep borehole with engineered durability, elevating storage for consistent pressure, installing multiple standpipes, and prioritising local leadership for maintenance, this project exemplifies a holistic, sustainable solution, blending technical rigor with communal stewardship.