Up to 9,000 people in two Cameroon villages will benefit from clean drinking water this year thanks to a project being delivered by Cameroon Catalyst. Co-founded by our Sales and Estimating Director Patrick Mballa, the charity brings students and specialists together to deliver essential infrastructure in rural Cameroon communities.

The latest initiative saw Patrick visit the country with a team of student engineers from Birmingham University and Imperial College London as well experts from WSP Engineering. Together they carried out a geotechnical survey to establish the most appropriate location to yield water, which will enable a new and accessible water tower to be created.

Following meetings with local contractors, Patrick will return to the villages in July 2024 when work is due to begin on the concrete tower’s construction. The system will require the drilling of 120-metre deep bore holes capped with plastic piping. The tower will be built over the top along with two 5,000-litre water tanks and solar panels. A collection point with 10 taps will feature at the bottom for people across both villages.

Commenting on the significance of the project, Patrick said: “As part of Cameroon Catalyst’s work, we carry out surveys to identify the communities that need the most help. Many of the people living in these two villages have to drink pond water to survive, so they are in desperate need of this new water tower.

“Working with local contractors, we are aiming to build the system within just three weeks bringing potable water into a convenient place for both villages, which could potentially prolong the lives of thousands of people.”

Cameroon Catalyst is one of several charities proudly supported by LST as part of our aim to make a positive contribution to communities in the UK and internationally.