New Borehole Project Brings Clean Water and New Hope to Nigerian Community

Over 400 people in the community of Ido-Osun, Osun State, Nigeria, are now enjoying reliable access to safe drinking water following the completion of a new borehole project by UK-registered charity Hope Spring Water.

The Ido-Osun Borehole Project has transformed daily life for local families who, for many years, depended on unsafe ponds, uncovered wells and seasonal streams for their water supply. 

Funded through donations from Hope Spring eCards, supporters and volunteers, the project highlights how relatively small contributions can make an enormous difference to communities in need.

Before the borehole was installed, collecting water was a daily struggle. Many women and children walked long distances every morning, often before sunrise, simply to collect enough water for drinking, cooking and washing. The time spent fetching water frequently affected children's education and limited opportunities for work and family life.

Resident Fatima described the impact of the new water source.

"Before, I woke before sunrise every day to fetch water from a pond nearly thirty minutes away. Today, I walked only a few minutes to collect clean water close to my home. My children now leave for school on time, and our daily lives have completely changed."

The charity worked closely with local leaders, teachers, healthcare workers and community groups before construction began, ensuring the project reflected local needs. Residents also helped select the borehole location and formed a local water management committee to help maintain the facility for years to come.

Drilling started in May 2026 and reached around 120 metres to access a sustainable underground aquifer capable of providing clean water throughout the year. The completed installation includes a 1,500-litre elevated storage tank, concrete collection areas and improved drainage to promote hygiene and minimise contamination.

The benefits are already becoming apparent. Local healthcare workers report a noticeable reduction in cases of diarrhoea since the borehole became operational, while teachers say pupils are arriving at school earlier, healthier and ready to learn instead of spending hours collecting water.

Although the project faced challenges, including difficult rock formations and weather-related construction delays, it was successfully completed in June 2026.

Hope Spring says millions of people across Nigeria still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and hopes additional donations will enable similar projects to be delivered in more underserved communities across Africa.

Access to clean water is about far more than convenience. It improves health, supports education, strengthens local economies and gives communities the opportunity to build a healthier, more sustainable future.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

Hope Spring Signs MoU to Expand Water Poverty Alleviation Training

A new partnership between Hope Spring Water and Haba Naija is set to strengthen efforts to tackle water poverty in underserved regions of Nigeria through training, volunteering, and grassroots engagement.

Under the agreement, Haba Naija staff in Nigeria will undergo structured training delivered by Hope Spring Water, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to support water poverty alleviation workshops. The initiative aims to extend Hope Spring Water’s reach into parts of Nigeria where it currently has limited or no operational presence, ensuring that more communities benefit from sustainable water education and intervention programmes.

Speaking on the partnership, Tomi Onigbinde highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving impact: “This partnership represents a powerful step forward in our mission to combat water poverty. 

"By working with Haba Naija, we are not only expanding our reach but also empowering local teams with the skills and knowledge needed to create lasting change within their own communities. Sustainable impact begins with local involvement, and this initiative brings that vision to life.”

The training programme will focus on key areas such as community engagement, water sanitation awareness, project implementation strategies, and monitoring impact outcomes. Trained volunteers will then support outreach workshops across targeted regions, helping to educate communities about safe water practices while identifying areas in need of intervention.

Bujola Ogunremi also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration: “At Haba Naija, we are deeply committed to initiatives that create meaningful impact across Nigeria. Partnering with Hope Spring Water allows us to leverage our local presence and network to support an important cause. Our team is excited to contribute directly to improving lives by helping extend access to clean water education and solutions.”

This partnership reflects a growing recognition of the role digital platforms can play in supporting real-world development initiatives. By combining Hope Spring Water’s expertise in water poverty solutions with Haba Naija’s local reach and influence, the collaboration is expected to accelerate awareness, engagement, and action.

Both organisations believe the initiative will serve as a scalable model for future partnerships aimed at addressing critical social challenges across Nigeria and beyond.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

Hope Spring completes first borehole project in Northern Nigeria

Hereford-based water poverty alleviation charity, Hope Spring Water, has announced the completion of its first borehole project of 2026 and its first-ever clean water initiative in the northern part of Nigeria.

In a blog post published on the charity’s website, spokesperson Bolu Olorunfemi confirmed the milestone, stating: “We are pleased to announce the completion of the Akwanga project. 

"The community is delighted to have their very own clean water on tap for the very first time in their history.”

The charity is funded entirely by donations from supporters. Among the initiatives supporting its work is its digital platform, Hope Spring eCards, which enables supporters to send electronic greeting cards for occasions such as birthdays and seasonal celebrations. The organisation noted that engagement with sections such as the March birthday eCards has contributed to its broader fundraising efforts.

The newly completed borehole project in Akwanga represents a significant development for the community, where access to safe and reliable drinking water has historically been limited. For many residents, clean water has meant long walks to distant sources, reliance on seasonal streams, or the use of untreated water that carries health risks. The installation of a functioning borehole now changes that reality in a practical and immediate way.

Access to clean water is widely recognised as one of the most critical foundations for public health, education, and economic stability. Without it, communities often face recurring outbreaks of waterborne diseases, reduced school attendance among children tasked with fetching water, and limited opportunities for small-scale agriculture or local enterprise.

Hope Spring Water, based in Hereford in the United Kingdom, has been working with water-poor communities in West Africa for more than a decade. Over the years, the charity has supported the drilling of boreholes, rehabilitation of broken water systems, and implementation of community-led water management structures designed to ensure long-term sustainability.

According to the organisation, the Akwanga project is particularly significant because it marks the charity’s first clean water intervention in northern Nigeria. While Hope Spring has previously delivered projects in other parts of West Africa, expanding into northern Nigeria reflects a strategic effort to reach underserved regions where the need for safe water infrastructure remains acute.

Community engagement formed a central part of the project’s implementation. Local leaders and residents were involved throughout the planning and execution stages, helping to identify the most suitable site for the borehole and establishing basic management arrangements to safeguard the facility. This participatory approach, the charity says, helps foster a sense of ownership and responsibility within beneficiary communities, increasing the likelihood that the water system will be properly maintained over time.

While the eCard platform is one of several funding channels, the charity stresses that all proceeds are directed toward water poverty alleviation projects. Supporters who choose to send eCards are, in effect, contributing to the delivery of tangible infrastructure such as the Akwanga borehole.

For residents of Akwanga, however, the impact is measured less in fundraising mechanisms and more in daily life. Clean water on tap means children can spend more time in school rather than walking long distances to fetch water. It means reduced exposure to contaminated sources and the illnesses that often follow. It means households can plan their days with greater certainty, knowing that a reliable supply of safe water is available within their community.

The completion of the borehole also signals the beginning of a new phase rather than the end of a project. Ongoing monitoring and community coordination will be essential to ensure the system continues to function effectively. Hope Spring Water has indicated that it will maintain communication with local contacts to track usage and address any technical challenges that may arise.

As 2026 progresses, the charity says it fully intends to build on this milestone with additional projects aimed at reaching other water-poor communities. 

For now, the successful completion of the Akwanga borehole stands as a clear example of how targeted intervention, sustained donor support, and local collaboration can come together to deliver meaningful change.

For Hope Spring Water and the community it has served, the message is straightforward: access to clean water is not a luxury, but a necessity, and in Akwanga, it is now a reality.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk

Hope Spring completes seventh clean water project of the year

Herefordshire-based water poverty alleviation charity, Hope Spring announced the completion of their seventh clean water project of the year recently. In a blog posted on their website earlier this month, they issued details of the project. 

It was a borehole constructed at Atobaje community, in Agege in Nigeria. The project was partly funded by Hope Spring, a local NGO and the local community association.

The newly constructed borehole is expected to serve over forty households and the local primary school.

 With six standpipes and one larger pipe, for dispensing water to people who would rather stand with their water collection bucket on their head, the facility can serve a total of seven people at the same time. The project took a total of six weeks to complete. 

As with all borehole and well projects, geophysical survey to identify the best place to place the borehole was the first step taken, before drilling could begin.

On completion of the drilling and plumbing process, a short ceremony was held to handover the project to the community. 

Handing the project over to the community, Hope Spring water Nigeria director Dr Rahmat Adebisi thanked the community for their help in making the project happen without any hitches. She thanked Hope Spring UK business Christmas charity ecard fundraiser, which made the funding for the project possible.

The community through the water committee it set up will take over the day to day running and maintenance of the borehole. Thousands of litres of water was collected on the day the project was handed over to the community. The project is expected to provide clean water to the community for many years to come.

You can find our more information about Hope Spring water and it's clean water projects on their website and their social media pages.

https://www.hopespring.org.uk