Before Hope Spring arrived in Ido-Osun, Fatima began every morning the same way. She would wake before sunrise, gather her containers, and walk nearly 30 minutes along a bushy path to a shared pond at the edge of the community. The water was murky. It was the same source that livestock drank from. It was all they had.

Today, Fatima walks two minutes to a clean standpipe just streets from her home. She fills her containers with safe, clear water, then gets her children ready for school on time.

This is what the Ido-Osun Borehole Project made possible.

Project Snapshot

About the Community

Ido-Osun is a rural community in Osun State, south-western Nigeria, home to approximately 5000 people. Like many communities across the region, Ido-Osun has long faced the challenge of unreliable access to safe drinking water.

The community sits within a landscape where the nearest former water infrastructure was 2.5 kilometres away from residential settlements in the community. Residents depended on a combination of open ponds, uncovered wells, and seasonal streams, all sources highly vulnerable to contamination and drought.

For decades, water collection fell almost entirely on the shoulders of women and girls, who spent hours each day fetching water instead of attending school, pursuing livelihoods, or caring for their families.

Project Implementation Journey

Community Assessment and Engagement

Hope Spring’s field team arrived in Ido-Osun in May to conduct a comprehensive community needs assessment. Working closely with local leaders, women’s groups, health workers, and teachers, the team mapped existing water sources, assessed water quality, and documented the daily burden faced by residents.

Community engagement was built into every stage. Residents were not passive recipients; they were active participants. Local leaders helped identify the optimal borehole location. Women’s groups shaped the design of the water collection points. A community water committee was formed before drilling began.

Drilling Phase

Drilling commenced in May 2026. The borehole was sunk to a depth of 120 metres, reaching a reliable aquifer capable of sustaining year-round water flow. The drilling process involved three days of operation and overcame challenges like rocky sub-surface layers.

Construction and Installation

Following successful drilling, Hope Spring’s construction team installed the full water infrastructure:

• A 1,500 litre overhead storage tank, ensuring water availability even during pump maintenance periods
• Concrete aprons and drainage channels around each standpipe to maintain hygiene at the collection point

Voices from the community

Statistics are powerful. But the truest measure of this project is heard in the words of those whose lives have changed.

“My children no longer miss school because of water collection. Before, the girls would go to the pond at five in the morning. Now they sleep properly and go to school on time. This borehole gave us back our mornings,’’ said Aisha, a mother of three.

“As a community leader, I saw my people suffer with this water problem for many years. What Hope Spring has done here is not just a project, it is a new beginning. I thank every person who donated to make this happen,” said another resident

“I used to treat so many children for diarrhoea every week. Since the borehole was installed, the number of cases has dropped significantly. Safe water is medicine,’’ said the Community Health Worker

“My pupils come to class active now. They are not tired from fetching water before school. Attendance has improved. The children are learning better,’’ said the Headteacher of a school in the community

Lesson Learned

Hope Spring believes that every project is also an opportunity to improve. Here is what the Ido-Osun Borehole Project taught us:

What Worked Well

• Early and sustained community engagement made every phase smoother and faster.
• Forming the water committee before project completion, rather than after gave members time to learn and build confidence before taking full ownership.

Challenges Encountered

• Sub-surface rock formations required specialised drilling equipment not originally mobilised
• Seasonal rains delayed construction of the storage tank platform for weeks

Acknowledgement

The Ido-Osun Borehole Project was made possible by donations from Hope Spring eCards, Hope Spring water volunteers and supporters. Every eCard purchased and every donation made contributed to this moment.

FAQs

How does buying a Hope Spring eCard help?

Every Hope Spring eCard purchase raises funds that go directly towards clean water projects. 

How do I donate to the Hope Spring water project?

You can donate online through the Hope Spring website. Simply visit the donation to water project page, choose an amount, and complete the secure payment process. Every donation helps provide clean water and sanitation to communities in need. 

Can I donate to fund a similar project in another community?

Yes. Communities across Nigeria and beyond are still waiting for access to safe water. A donation to Hope Spring’s borehole fund goes directly towards identifying the next community, conducting assessments, and implementing projects like the one you have just read about.

How many people in Nigeria lack access to clean water?

Millions of Nigerians still do not have access to safely managed drinking water services. Many rural communities depend on rivers, ponds, streams, and shallow wells that are vulnerable to contamination, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.

Why do rural communities in Nigeria struggle to access clean water?

Several factors contribute to water poverty in rural Nigeria, including inadequate infrastructure, population growth, poor maintenance of existing water facilities, limited government resources, seasonal droughts, and the long distances between communities and reliable water sources.

What health problems are linked to unsafe drinking water?

Unsafe water can contribute to diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, dysentery, and other waterborne illnesses. Children under five are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of contaminated water sources.

Why are women and girls most affected by water poverty?

In many Nigerian communities, women and girls are primarily responsible for collecting water. Long journeys to water sources reduce the time available for education, income-generating activities, childcare, and rest. Improving access to clean water helps promote gender equality and economic opportunity.