Reservoir (Cistern) Project

Need

The orphanage staff was pumping water from the well several times a day to keep up with the need for water for bathing, laundry and cooking as well as to feed into the filtering system for potable water.  This meant that the diesel-fueled generator was  turned on and used repeatedly.

Solution

Maison Fortuné founder and director, Lefort Jean-Louis proposed building a concrete reservoir or cistern which would store both well-water and rainwater. The cistern would be mostly below ground and have spigots for drawing water, and actually could double as a hand-washing station for the children—meeting a need identified by the people working on the Maison Fortuné wellness program.

Although the cost (approximately $16,000 US) was significant, Chip Wirth, an engineer and President of the Foundation, estimated that the cost could be recovered in three years, since it would eliminate the constant use of the generator for pumping water for daily needs.   It was another step in the “greening” of the campus.

Status

The project was completed in July 2009.  It is an example of what can be done for the children of Maison Fortune because it is your help that makes  projects like this possible.  We would like to acknowledge and thank ECR Software Corporation and Peter Catoe for their donations specifically earmarked for the Cistern.