The Türkiye Diyanet Foundation (TDV) has officially inaugurated a new solar-powered borehole in Kwerjik, a community on the outskirts of South Sudan’s capital, Juba. The newly established facility is designed to pump and distribute approximately 4,000 liters of clean, safe drinking water daily, bringing immediate relief to thousands of local residents who have long struggled with severe water scarcity.
For years, families living in Kwerjik were forced to draw their daily water from a nearby, unprotected stream. During dry periods when water levels drastically dropped, the stream became increasingly stagnant and heavily polluted, exposing the entire community—particularly children and the elderly—to severe health risks, including waterborne diseases. School children previously had to travel long distances just to fetch the unsafe water, adding an extra layer of hardship to daily life.
The newly commissioned TDV installation features a modern configuration of solar panels coupled with an automated distribution network, ensuring a sustainable, eco-friendly, and reliable supply of clean water independent of unreliable local power grids.
Local residents have warmly welcomed the infrastructure upgrade, noting how drastically it changes their daily routine. Mary Sebila, a 31-year-old mother of three, shared her gratitude during the inauguration ceremony, recalling how her family previously had to rely on dirty water from the dwindling stream during dry spells. “The building of this water pump is so helpful,” Sebila said. “We appreciate the support provided by partners; getting clean drinking water is becoming difficult without this support.”
Machar Butic, the community chief of Kwerjik, echoed these sentiments while reflecting on past challenges, noting that an older community pump had previously broken down and forced residents back to dangerous water sources. Thanking the Turkish people for stepping in, Butic emphasized the community’s desire for continued developmental support to ensure long-term comfort and well-being.
During the opening ceremony, Osman Turk, the TDV’s African representative, reaffirmed Ankara’s steadfast commitment to supporting communities across the continent. Emphasizing the universal necessity of water, Turk called on the local community to safeguard the new asset against potential damage. “We are happy and excited to be here in Kwerjik,” Turk stated, adding that the foundation plans to undertake additional regional projects to strengthen bilateral ties between Turkey and South Sudan.
Youth and women’s representatives from Kwerjik also highlighted the broader social impact of the initiative. Albino Mayom Awer, the local youth representative, noted that the successful project is a tangible reflection of deepening friendly relations between the two nations, while community leaders stressed that reliable access to water lays a critical foundation for better public health, education, and local economic stability.
