Today, we met our hosts from the St. Paul Partners (SPP) water program. Bo Skillman (chair of SPP, who lives in St. Paul MN), Mathew (water project manager) and Khute (water, sanitation and hygiene training and community engagement). W2T has just approved funding for our first 5 water projects working with SPP, in Iringa’s Lundamatwe community. We checked in on their progress, visited some completed projects and saw a community in need of clean water.

We headed to the field and our first stop was the Kilolo Star Drilling (KSD) facility, near Iringa.  KSD is the partner that SPP uses to drill the borehole wells in this area.  KSD is a Tanzanian non-government organization (NGO) that not only does water well projects, but also operates a vocational training school (farming, sewing, and computers) for secondary students.  KSD operates 4 drilling crews (with names like Elephant, Leopard, and the Lion Mamas).  The Lion Mamas, (an all-female team) were at the facility picking up some equipment, so they gave us a quick demonstration of their drilling rig. 

Our next stops were in sub-communities in the village of Lukani. The drilling and construction of the wells had been recently completed by SPP and KSD.  At one site, the community had already built the fence for the project and we got to meet most of the water committee. Neither this well site nor the second that we visited had been released for community use because the water was still a bit murky from the drilling. SPP team members discussed with the community the steps needed for pumping the well in order to clear the murky water so that clean water could be accessed. We also shared the need for improved water runoff drainage from the water point to avoid standing water that could be a breeding area for mosquitoes. 

Our next stop was the community of Wangoma – an area that we are considering for future water work. When we arrived, we were greeted by many from the village, including the newly formed water committee.  This community of 2,500 people has never had a clean water supply.  They gather water from a nearby river or from open, unprotected shallow wells. The head of the water committee and the village president both spoke passionately about their need and convincingly about their commitment to take all necessary steps to make sure the new water points are maintained and operated properly.  The need for water in this community is great. While we could not yet promise that we will provide a well, we are hoping to be able to help this village in the future.

From Wangoma, we headed to our newest project area, Lundamatwe. We were briefly held up by a flat tire – our second of the day – but luckily we had a second vehicle with us that we could all pile into. When we arrived in Lundamatwe, we briefly visited a new, completed well that is near the school. It was so great to see these school children finally have access to clean water. Our second stop was at a water project under construction at the dispensary.  This well is about 40 feet deep and is about halfway through construction. While on site, we met with three female members of the water committee who have received training on the operation and maintenance of the well.  They are very excited about the prospects of having clean, sustainable water for their community.

Our final stop of the day was at a project near a Lutheran church where we got to see the drilling team in action – so exciting! They had drilled about 30 feet and were expecting to go an additional 10-15 feet to reach a good water supply. It was fantastic to see the drilling in progress and I am excited for the well to begin serving the people here.

It was great to see the substantial progress on our first water projects in Tanzania!  St. Paul Partners and Kilolo Star Drilling should have all 5 of our projects complete in the next 90 days or so. I am looking forward to sharing news of their completion with everyone back home.

 

More later,

Dick Moeller

President of Water to Thrive

Today, we met our hosts from the St. Paul Partners (SPP) water program. Bo Skillman (chair of SPP, who lives in St. Paul MN), Mathew (water project manager) and Khute (water, sanitation and hygiene training and community engagement). W2T has just approved funding for our first 5 water projects working with SPP, in Iringa’s Lundamatwe community. We checked in on their progress, visited some completed projects and saw a community in need of clean water.

We headed to the field and our first stop was the Kilolo Star Drilling (KSD) facility, near Iringa.  KSD is the partner that SPP uses to drill the borehole wells in this area.  KSD is a Tanzanian non-government organization (NGO) that not only does water well projects, but also operates a vocational training school (farming, sewing, and computers) for secondary students.  KSD operates 4 drilling crews (with names like Elephant, Leopard, and the Lion Mamas).  The Lion Mamas, (an all-female team) were at the facility picking up some equipment, so they gave us a quick demonstration of their drilling rig. 

Our next stops were in sub-communities in the village of Lukani. The drilling and construction of the wells had been recently completed by SPP and KSD.  At one site, the community had already built the fence for the project and we got to meet most of the water committee. Neither this well site nor the second that we visited had been released for community use because the water was still a bit murky from the drilling. SPP team members discussed with the community the steps needed for pumping the well in order to clear the murky water so that clean water could be accessed. We also shared the need for improved water runoff drainage from the water point to avoid standing water that could be a breeding area for mosquitoes. 

Our next stop was the community of Wangoma – an area that we are considering for future water work. When we arrived, we were greeted by many from the village, including the newly formed water committee.  This community of 2,500 people has never had a clean water supply.  They gather water from a nearby river or from open, unprotected shallow wells. The head of the water committee and the village president both spoke passionately about their need and convincingly about their commitment to take all necessary steps to make sure the new water points are maintained and operated properly.  The need for water in this community is great. While we could not yet promise that we will provide a well, we are hoping to be able to help this village in the future.

From Wangoma, we headed to our newest project area, Lundamatwe. We were briefly held up by a flat tire – our second of the day – but luckily we had a second vehicle with us that we could all pile into. When we arrived in Lundamatwe, we briefly visited a new, completed well that is near the school. It was so great to see these school children finally have access to clean water. Our second stop was at a water project under construction at the dispensary.  This well is about 40 feet deep and is about halfway through construction. While on site, we met with three female members of the water committee who have received training on the operation and maintenance of the well.  They are very excited about the prospects of having clean, sustainable water for their community.

Our final stop of the day was at a project near a Lutheran church where we got to see the drilling team in action – so exciting! They had drilled about 30 feet and were expecting to go an additional 10-15 feet to reach a good water supply. It was fantastic to see the drilling in progress and I am excited for the well to begin serving the people here.

It was great to see the substantial progress on our first water projects in Tanzania!  St. Paul Partners and Kilolo Star Drilling should have all 5 of our projects complete in the next 90 days or so. I am looking forward to sharing news of their completion with everyone back home.

 

More later,

Dick Moeller

President of Water to Thrive