ResilientUganda@gmail.com
or
ResilientUgandaAustralia@gmail.com
Resilient Uganda
Improving Lives by
Building Rainwater Harvesting Tanks in beautiful SW Uganda
Since 2014.
Access to Clean Water is a
Daily Struggle
in Uganda
This Woman is fetching water from a dirty puddle in the road. By building tanks to harvest rainwater we improve the lives and the health of Ugandans.
Students Fetching Water
These students carry their empty jerry cans down the mountain to school each day. When they climb home at the end of the day, they carry the full jerry can home on their heads, so their family has water for cooking and bathing.
20,000 Liter
Water Tank
By building water tanks
Resilient Uganda improves lives by reducing waterborne
illness and increasing educational and economic opportunities for villagers.
The building process begins by making a "donut" out of stones to support the weight of the tank. Everything is done by hand, including breaking the stones, digging the trench and mixing the cement.
Iron bars and wire support the structure and give it strength to hold 10,000-20,000 liters of water. That is 2,600-5,200 gallons. That is up to 43,000 pounds or 19,645 kilograms of water!!
Grass mats woven by local women are then wrapped around the tank and waterproof cementing begins on the inside of the tank. After layers of cement are applied, the roof is built with more iron bars and cement.
About
Us
Students in their classroom at Amazing Grace Pre and Primary School are thrilled to receive books from friends in the USA.
While teaching English in Kisoro, in 2014, when no breakfast porridge was served to students because of a lack of water, I sent out an email, asking if friends wanted to help. Friends DID want to help and so many people continue to help. Resilient Uganda continues to improve lives and empower women through generous donors, grants and craft sales.
While spending fourteen months in 2013-2014 volunteering at a Primary school in the SW corner of Uganda, I saw a great need for access to clean water and jobs. Many friends and family reached out to help build our first water tank.
Thus, was the birth of Resilient Uganda.
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In 2014 my lifelong friend, Jennifer and I created Resilient Uganda. Our focus was creating jobs for women through a crafting co-op and hiring local men for construction of the cement water tanks. These jobs enable them to provide for their families. Creating a sustainable income and with the water harvested from the tanks, a healthier lifestyle.
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Rainwater tanks reduce the number of hours women and girls walk to fetch water every day, an average walk of 2-4 hours, to fetch a 5 gallon (19 liter) jug of water. The tanks also allow young girls to spend more time in the classroom, where they are safe from the dangers of being out alone, sometimes in the dark fetching water. Each tank supplies water for approximately 35-50 homes, improving lives immensely.
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Thank you for your interest in lifting up our friends in Uganda,
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Bonnie Bzdok
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Our first tank was a 10,000 liter plastic Crest Tank at Amazing Grace Pre and Primary School in 2014. Today, this tank still serves hundreds of students who live at the school. The rainwater collected is used for students to bathe, wash their laundry and also for cooking all the meals for over 300 students. The community members collecting water in this photo also fetch water from this tank when the taps are turned off and there is no other water available. The entire community is benefitting from this tank.
Our First Cement tank 2015. We quickly realized building with cement, stones and iron bars was not only stronger and longer lasting, but we could build bigger tank for just a little more money. This is our first cement tank, built in 2015 in the village of Bushoka.
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Community Members Contribute to the building process by carrying supplies such as stones, sand, bricks and water for building. These supplies are often dropped off on the roadside and villagers must then, carry them often up narrow hills and trails to the building site.
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Meet The Team
Bonnie Bzdok
~ Founder ~
USA
​
Sam Ndagije
~ Project Manager ~
Uganda
Kazungu Gasasira and
Gad Nzibonera
~ The Builders ~
Uganda
Jennifer Basch
~ Director ~
USA
Carly Nzvimbo
~ Resilient Uganda ~
Australia
Resilient Uganda
Australia
"In 2005, as a 19-year-old tour leader in Africa, I marveled at Ugandan's resilience. The people's enduring spirit amongst their daily struggle for water struck me profoundly. Despite numerous visits to Uganda since then, it was witnessing the construction of a water tank in 2024 that spurred me into action. With my friend, Bonnie, I resolved to also begin building water tanks in Kisoro. Each tank symbolizes relief from hardship and embodies our collective compassion. By establishing a branch of Resilient Uganda in Australia I am committed to educating Australians about the impact of their assistance. Building tanks will ensure children stay in school and families will lead healthier lives. This initiative not only aids individuals but uplifts families and communities for generations. I'm thrilled to be part of Resilient Uganda and to being making an impact on so many lives." -Carly Nzvimbo
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2024 found Resilient Uganda
and Rotary partners
building our 21st water tank
this year.
Rotarians from the
USA visited Kisoro
and funded
three more 20,000 liter tanks!
Rotarian John Pearson from Granite Rotary Club in
St. Cloud, MN is securing a Rotary plaque on the tank.
Tank #21~ Another 20,000 Liter tank in the hills of beautiful Kisoro, Uganda. Sam is inspecting the recently finished cement top of the tank. The gutters will run from the roof of the nearby house and dump rainwater into the tank.
This tank serves 45 households. Improving the lives of hundreds with access to clean water for drinking, bathing, cooking and washing.