Update from water projects at the school and Olosiva (village) in Tanzania.
It was another successful trip to Tanzania to complete and entrust the two sustainable and future-proof water projects to locals.
It was a great joy to experience drinking the water running in the taps at the school at 100% solar power. Previously, water was transported to the village running water in a 65 year old truck. The children run to the water taps, filling their water mugs and drink. The newly established water project at the school, now provides many opportunities to improve sanitation, hygiene and is a gain for school kitchen the feeds 500 children. Now, among other things, sinks and toilets with flush, was installed completely new in the school.
The purpose of this second trip was in partly to sort out technical problems with the pump installation at the school, but also to entrust and hand over the water project in Olosiva to the local water committee.
For the handover party on February 19th mayor/District Commissioner (responsible for 147 villages), the local village leadership, the water committee, and of course the locals from the village, were invited Besides this, the national from TV and radio – stations and some newspapers were there for the event
New Life Outreach, Grundfos, Apiaid and Need To Care was thanked as sponsors project. The news that we work together to help the village with water supply, was told nationwide.
We got the opportunity to talk about the philosophy behind the project, and tell about the new GSM communication technology, the 100% sustainable solar energy to pump that brings clean drinking water up from the underground.
The District Commissioner was pleased with the idea that it was build the water tower with local labor, creating jobs instead of importing the elements for the tower. He was also excited about local ownership given to the water board, which from now takes responsibility for maintenance of the entire project by charging 30 TSHS (0.10 USD) per. 20 liter bucket is tapped (5 kr. Per. M3) It can be done as cheap because the system runs on solar cells, and therefore no costs are for power. The symbolic payment ensures a responsible use of water, and giving this local responsibility, it gives a business understanding which is very important in the development of the local community.
The District Commissioner was interested in the establishment of such a water project in each of his 147 villages. Finally there was a party, where the people from the village showed great gratitude to sponsors for what they have done for the village.
We were all dressed in Masai clothes and ate their traditional festive dining “goatlegs on spears” grilled over open fires.