Abundant Water

As the project continued, Dale recognized the need to expand his horizons. He found a way to make some clay water filters and constructed a kiln to bake the pots. They are especially effective because they fit directly into the type and size of buckets already used for water collection. He has introduced a community education project as well…and is planning on using games to introduce this to the school curriculum. In addition he wants to introduce composting toilets. This can have a benefit in two ways: one to remove the contamination of the ground water and the other as composting humus. Again he will use very simple appropriate technology. Perhaps worms might add to their efficacy.

He has already done the community development in two villages with over 20 applications from each with commitments of 200,000 tanzania shillings per pump. This is a significant accomplishment in an area where people are not used to doing this kind of community participation. This entire area is surviving on subsistence agriculture with rice and maize production. Last season there was a serious drought so these contributions are even more significant! He hopes to expand these ideas to include agricultural irrigation.

It is evident that ONE person cannot handle all of this. He really needs contributions and assistance from a variety of sources. One of the reasons I am here is to brainstorm on what these options are. But once I arrived, I realized I wanted to participate as well and have decided to sponsor part of his program. With only $500 US dollars, they can install a new water access point with safe water (this includes drilling, installation and community education). For under a hundred dollars, they can install a composting toilet. He has been relying, up to now, on contributions from friends, family and previous employers. As someone who has worked 35 years in Africa on over 200 projects, I am convinced this is a project that can fly. These two villages have really served as a pilot for future development.

From the short exposure to his program, I am quite impressed… and have come up with several options where both Abundant Water and other sources may be able to contribute. He has a website/blog which can give MUCH more detailed information: www.tanzaniawater.blogspot.com.

Obviously, as is the case ANYwhere in Africa, we have to address both the positive and the greater needs. The most obvious need is managerial and staff support. Most people think it is always money…not the case. Of COURSE they need funding….but by having local community participation and concrete contribution transparency, this can be managed! In Africa, planning is just not a natural part of the perspective. In the short term, the purse strings and the management need some foreign intervention. Since Dale will be leaving within one year, this is an important focus. He has already found a wonderful Tanzanian who has experience in a similar program in another area. He has wonderful people skills and his technical expertise is quite appropriate. However, he has no management experience.

SOO, where do we go from here. The first need will be STAFF.. finding some volunteers who will be able to continue this. Engineers without Borders in UK have shown interest, we are hoping this will be the case in the US as well. Of course a variety of volunteer programs are possible, but the best part of this program is that it is small and practical… expanding too quickly will make for MORE problems. It is my hope that Abundant Water will be able to participate in sharing the specific technology for the filters. They already have a potter involved. It would be good to expand this to three potters. They already have a kiln whose capacity is being wasted for lack of sufficient quantity/speed. Given the serious potential for Cholera in the area. It is my opinion, this area should be given priority.

Another advantage to working in the greater Ifakara area is the availability of infrastructure. Although these areas are on a VERY difficult road, the town center has a major intervention from Novartis and Bill Gates… This is one of their foci for eradication of Malaria. As a rice production area, it is obviously a great area for malaria mosquitoes as well. There are several experts and a wonderful laboratory here… The access to the town center is good because of the train and buses… But this project has NO transportation infrastructure. For now, Dale just used HIS motorcycle. They get help from other vehicles going in the field. Obviously this is a major constraint.

The potential for an integrated project is enormous. Sooo all I can say is: how can we help?!

Next blog….let’s think about it…

After here, we will go to Morogoro where there is an Agricultural Training College… soo some brainstorming there would be a good idea. I will be going to the University of California at Davis in October. They have a wonderful International Agricultural Development Program there…this includes water management… soo we shall see. We all know money is tight…