Partner name:          The Royal Commonwealth Society of Cameroon (RCSC)

Title of placement:    Kurume Water Project Initiative

Location:                   Cameroon

Start date:                 1^st July 2009 

Duration:                   6 months

No. of volunteers:     3 

A 6 month placement to rehabilitate the Kurume water storage tank, treatment of the water and extending the area covered by the water supply.   

What work will I be doing?

Volunteers will work on the Kurume Water Project Initiative.  This aims to provide safe and clean water to villages in the Konye sub-division, and should affect up to 20,000 people.  The existing water tank is dilapidated and needs to be renovated.  A system to treat the water is required which could reduce the incidence of water-borne diseases by 25%.  Furthermore, a plan needs to be made for the expansion of the water supply system. 

Specific activities include construction of tapstands, replacement of pipes, drafting of a map of the proposed expansion plans, training of local community people on water supply equipment maintenance and construction and maintenance work at the Kurume Community Health Centre.  Each volunteer will have a desk at the RCSC office and training will be provided.

Who will I be working for?

You will be supervised by two engineers already working for the Royal Commonwealth Society of Cameroon.  RCS of Cameroon works on issues which are central to the Commonwealth ethos and its beneficiaries are women, youths, disadvantaged communities, and the aging and socially excluded.  The organisation has 4 full time staff and has worked with international volunteers since its inception.  Together with the BUILD-UK and the Commonwealth foundation, they are leading the idea of international community based partnerships between Northern and Southern communities.   

What skills or experience do I need?

Required:

• Civil engineering student or graduate.