Rehabilitation Project
This project is a part of our shared program with Africa Sand Dam Foundation. Our team is pleased to directly share the below report (edited for clarity, as needed).
The construction of this sand dam will bring great change to this region. As the dam matures, the water table in the area will rise. Among other things, this means another project, a shallow hand-dug well, can be constructed near the dam. To see the shallow well project, click here.
BASELINE NARRATIVE
Kiluta self-help group, in Ngaa area of Matiliku region, was formed in 2009. The aim of forming the group was to fight a common enemy that has afflicted the area for many years: an acute water shortage. So acute has this problem been that the members feel it is responsible for their poverty. They have been grounded, their entire lives made to revolve around the search for water.
There three main sources of water for the people of Ngaa area. Kikuu River is one of them. It is approximately 4 kilometers away and it would take a member around 5 hours to go, fetch water and get back home. The other option is to buy water from the chief’s camp in Matiliku Market. One jerrican costs five shillings and one has to pay for a motor bike to transport the water to their home. This costs between 150 shillings and 200 shillings depending on one’s proximity to the market. It’s quite a costly affair.
The last and most preferred option is to fetch water at Kwa Mukuti Scoop Holes. This is along the Ikuma River and is quite close to their homes. The problem is the water takes time to sieve into the well and the people are forced to wait long hours to fill their containers. It takes about thirty minutes to fill one twenty-litre jerrican. Being the closest source of water for the community, everybody fetches water there and thus there are long queues that one has to wait out in order to fetch water, often late into the night, until the wee hours of morning. This becomes very risky, especially for the women, who are exposed to security threats, the danger of animal attacks and other such risks.
The members of Kiluta Self-Help Group, are however confident that the situation will change with the construction of sand dams. They are currently in the process of collecting local materials for the construction of their first sand dam. They hope that once the dam holds water, they will save up time, which they can use to engage in other activities. They hope to engage in irrigation farming and plant vegetables which they may sell and generate income for the group. They will set up tree nurseries and a demo farm for the group. Individually, the members could make bricks to sell. The prospects are endless!!
Scheduled Activities for Construction of Sand Dam.
Material collections- January-March 2015
Material collection was started, which involved the Self Help Group members in collecting sand and large stones to the project site where the dam will be constructed. For this group the materials were readily available and the group worked for two days per week for a period of 3 months totalling a number of days 24.
Trenching-April 2015
The trenching process involves digging the base foundation to get the base rock upon which the dam will be laid. This gives the dam stability to withstand any water pressure in the river channel. The group used three days to have the trench ready for construction of the dam.
Actual construction process
The construction process took approximately 30 days with the group working daily except for weekends. The construction started on the April 10th 2015-and was finished By May 10. The construction process was within the planned schedule.
Membership Participation
A total of 14 males and 15 females participated in the activity.
Success Of The Project
The construction of this project was a success as the dam already has harvested water and the community is getting water from this source for other domestic uses. The water challenges of the area have been solved within limited time frame and the impact of the dam is already being felt. Women and children who used walk for 4-6 km to get water are now getting water for less than 1km spending and average of 30-1hr.
Main Challenges Encountered During Construction
The main challenge encountered during the project is the start of the rains. This is unusual since the rain were unpredicted. Although normally this seasons is for the long rains, the last five years the area has had no rain during this period. This signifies an important aspect of climate change where the rains weather patterns have become hard to predict and seasonal trends have much varied or changed.
Seed Distribution
A distribution of seeds and tree seedlings was conducted at the end of June. With the help of these seeds, Self Help Group members will continue to use the sustainable farming skills such as terracing and planting of specific plant species that help fight erosion along the river banks, where some of the farms are located. The distribution not only helps thwart off soil erosion but also assists farmers in growing their farms to a point where they can grow a surplus well beyond subsistence farming and sell in markets for extra income.
Because this sand dam was constructed, the community was also enabled to build a shallow well as a source of clean water. The dam raises the water table in the area, making the shallow well possible. To see the well connected to this dam, click here.
