WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, NDONYO NASIPA - Voss · VOSS FOUNDATION, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, NDONYO NASIPA Water project in Kenya 2010 In February 2011 Voss Foundation in

VOSS FOUNDATION, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, NDONYO NASIPA

Water project in Kenya 2010

In February 2011 Voss Foundation in partnership with the Milgis Trust successfully completed its third life-changing water project within the remote arid lands of northern Kenya at a Samburu village called Ndonyo Nasipa.

KOG edits. 30 June 2011


INTRODUCTION

Ndonyo Nasipa village is approximately halfway between two previous Voss Foundation water projects: Latakwen to the North and Swari to the South. Nasipa’s settled population has been growing slowly since the addition of a primary and nursery school, which accommodates around 130 children. The community itself, including settled and nomadic families, now numbers around 1500 people; due to its small yet successful rural livestock market, numbers increase for short durations, depending on the market events.

As with all our clean drinking water projects it’s the lives of the Samburu women and children that change most dramatically. Before the installation of the water project, children in Ndonyo Nasipa bore a large share of the burden of collecting water for themselves and their family. With jerry cans and tins they would walk down the steep hills several kilometers to dig a crude well by hand in the Seiya Lugga (seasonal riverbed); they then had to carry that frequently-contaminated water back up to the school and their families.

This solar water project was designed and implemented in the same manner as our previous projects by locating a well position, digging a pipeline, installing solar panels, pump, and several water points.

1


AT A GLANCE

Project site: Village of Ndonyo Nasipa, Samburuland, Kenya

Population: Approx. 1,500

Project type: Well excavation and reinforcement, installation of solar-powered pump, piping system to transport water, storage tanks, water points and ancillary plumbing

Objective: Community access to and use of water system, water points in village and school compound, sustainable community management of water, improved knowledge of hygiene. The distance to the nearest water source has reduced substantially (from as many as 4 kilometers to less than 1 kilometer) and the time spent to collect water has been reduced to less than 15 minutes for the community of Ndonyo Nasipa.

Term: August 2010 to January 2011

Local partner: Milgis Trust

Project budgeted cost: USD 54,437.36

Project actual cost: USD 50,777.64

2


IMPLEMENTING PARTNER: MILGIS TRUST

The Milgis Trust is a Kenyan Community Conservation Trust devoted to sustaining the wildlife, habitat, and the pastoral peoples’ ways of life in northern Kenya. The Milgis ecosystem is home to the Samburu and the Rendille peoples who have lived in harmony with nature for hundreds of years. However, with the rapid increases in their population and subsequently in the numbers of livestock, the demand for natural resources has grown as well.

By working closely with local chiefs and regional elders, the Milgis Trust addresses these issues through a community approach to find sustainable solutions. With project funding from the Voss Foundation towards efforts aligned with both groups’ missions, the Milgis Trust aims to ensure that the Ndonyo Nasipa community gains access to clean drinking water in an environmentally sustainable manner.

3


PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: PREPARATION

After the completion of two successful water projects with the Voss Foundation, the Milgis Trust team organized a meeting at Ndonyo Nasipa with the chief and all the elders and women of the area. As with all the water projects implemented through Voss Foundation and Milgis Trust, deep community involvement was integral at every step of the way.

Needs were assessed by the Milgis team, taking into account the history of the village, size, location and future impact of the project. It was found that Ndonyo Nasipa was indeed an ideal candidate for a water system, with every member of the Nasipa community eager for the project to commence. Based on this assessment, Milgis Trust recommended Ndonyo Nasipa to the Voss Foundation as the next water project.

In January 2010, the Voss Foundation and some of the Swari donors visited Ndonyo Nasipa on the way to the Swari water opening. Walking along with the children several kilometers carrying heavy water up steep hills gave the women firsthand insight into the hardship the community faced just to have a drink of water – and allowed them to meet the beneficiaries of the Voss Foundation’s next water project in the Samburu region.

4


The next visit from the Milgis Trust team included a comprehensive logistical survey of the area including decisions on the technical methods to be employed in implementing the project. Compared to the previous water projects, the project was technically more challenging, as Nasipa is located on a steep rocky hill overlooking the seasonal river where the water would be pumped from. But after this initial survey the decision was concluded and a meeting was arranged to give the good news to the Nasipa community that a viable plan had been drawn up and implementation could go ahead.

This lady who has lived in Ndonyo Nasipa all her life was overcome with emotion when the water project was given the go-ahead.

Every day she did whatever she could to help, from carrying water, to covering the trench. Every day she also made a visit to see Francis, the Milgis Trust project technician, to give him fresh camel’s milk for his tea to show her gratitude and happiness.

Here she stands with Milgis Trust’s water technician, Francis, before the tap was turned on tor the first time.

5


INSTALLATION

Having surveyed the project site and ordered all the necessary supplies and equipment needed to fulfill the project, the first action was to excavate the well in the seasonal river. It is imperative that the location chosen for the well is accurate in terms of the possibility of flooding in the rains, water catchment and structural safety.

The decision was made to dig the well on the eastern bank of the Seiya lugga at a slightly elevated position. The first trial well was dug but suffered in a flood not long after completion. This was due to the well softening and the structural instability of the site.

After the floods, which acted as a good indicator of placement, a second well was dug but was soon abandoned due to hitting hard rock that forced the digging to stop.

On the third try, a successful site was chosen and the well excavation was completed with solid wall reinforcements. The set-backs in well positioning on top of the flooding caused a minor delay to the project.

Once the well was finished, work commenced on the trench to house the water piping. The Ndonyo Nasipa community, men, women and children all worked together in the physically arduous task of digging a deep trench from the well all the way up the rocky hills to the village center and school.

6


This was the most challenging trench to complete due to the thick rock layers in the earth and the steep incline of the hill. At several points on the trench’s route the course had to be redirected due to impenetrable rock, making the trench slightly longer than anticipated. Regardless of the hard physical labor involved, the community completed the trench in record time and with more eagerness and enthusiasm than the Milgis Trust has seen from a village. The task united the community members, allowing them all to take a role in giving themselves clean water and taking ownership of the project as a whole.

While the trench was being completed and the water piping was laid, water tanks were being positioned in the village in preparation to hold the water pumped up from the well. These large items along with all the supplies and equipment for the project were transported over 400kms from Nairobi by lorry. After around 300km, the pot-holed tarmac road trails off and the lorry had to make its slow way through bush and scrub on precarious sand and mud towards Ndonyo Nasipa. With no roads, this arid land is near inaccessible.

The team hoped for fortuitous conditions in order to get the lorry to its destination safely and on time; had more rains come, the project would have been heavily delayed. But with good weather, all supplies reached Nasipa and the community stored them safely in their huts until they were needed.

7


Water points with taps were also plumbed in at selected sites in the village allowing access for the whole community as well as other populations living further outside the village borders. The school was given direct water access allowing the children to have drinking water, bathing water, as well as the school cook to have the ability to use hygienic cooking practices.

The Milgis Trust project technician soon began work on the process of installing the solar panels and water pump. A sturdy made-to-measure stand was erected to house the eight 120watt solar panels, positioned carefully to get the most from the rays of the harsh African sun. This was connected to the water pump positioned in the well, which was then carefully covered with solid roofing to protect it.

The day soon came when the solar panels and pump could be switched on to trial the mechanics of the project. Both the Milgis team and the community were proud that the system worked perfectly on the first try, pumping the water all the way up the steep hill. Slowly the water tanks began to fill and fresh river water flowed freely from the water point taps in the village.

8


CONVERSATION WITH MOSES LESOLOYIA – MILGIS TRUST

How many people are in the village? 1500, with many other households located outside the village.

How many had access to clean water before our project? 0

How many now? Upwards of 1500

How many people serve on the water committee & what do they do? 9 people, 4 women and 5 men - they ensure the water is put to good use and that people do not damage their water project.

Who is the new Water Bailiff (on-site manager of the well and pump)?Lenangataba, a local from the Ndonyo Nasipa community.

What are the plans for optimizing sustainability?One community member was trained and issued with some equipment for repairs.

How is the water going to be maintained?The water committee plans to start charging a small levy to raise funds for maintenance.

How has the water project affected health?Basically the impact is visible in the personal hygiene of the village. We need more time to assess any long-term changes in health. We hope the local government will construct a healthcare center in Ndonyo Nasipa, as they have at previous water project sites, now that there is clean water.

9


How has the water project affected education?School learning is no longer interrupted by children going down to the lugga to fetch water. The concentration levels of children are definitely improving rapidly with access to clean water. Also, some of the Voss Foundation donors, upon meeting the children they’ve helped, have also generously decided to sponsor their secondary schooling.

How has the water project affected animals and food?Any animals with problems now can get water without going down to the lugga. With the run-off water, livestock are also able to drink at the water points when given access by the community.

How has the water project affected women and girls?The burden of carrying water up the hill was given mainly to women and girls. This and the suffering that went with it have now been removed. The risk of drowning when the Seiya lugga floods, musculoskeletal problems associated with heavy loads, water-borne diseases and the greater chance of contracting malaria are no longer facing this group. The Voss Foundation have also given the women some additional income by purchasing crafts like nijilis and walking sticks to use as tokens of appreciation.

How has the water project affected children?The project has improved personal hygiene as well as giving a better learning environment for school children.

10


BUDGET

11

Qty. Specifications BudgetedCost-USD AccountedCost–USDJUSTIFICATION

1 Lorentz Solar Pump PS 1200 HR04H-2 2510.8 2510.8 8 120W Solar Panels 4960.8 4960.8 1 Frame for Solar Panels 1102 1102 1 Earth Cable and Rod 116 116 1 Lighting protections Delta 302 174 174 1 Lorentz PV Array disconnect 301.6 301.6 25 3 Core submersible cable 348 348 25 Water level probe cable 58 58 2 Splice kits 145 145 3 Tanks - 10000, 2300 and 200 2035.8 2306.44 One tank had to be sourced from a diffrent supplier and was more expensive. 1 Pipe and tank fittings - Budget only List Available 5202.6 5202.6 1 Water level probefor run dry protections 98.6 98.6 1 Pipe line cost - 3500 meters 32mm 16 Bar 7193.16 7193.16 3 Water Point outlets ( including all hardware and materials) 1260 1370 More materials and labour were needed in implementing

these water points than expected. Training of one Cuminity Water Manager 200 200 1 Contract Technician 655 841 Due to delays the technician was needed for a longer period. 1 Transport of materials to sight including 4800 4687 Due to good weather and conditions transport to the site was quicker and easier. site transport & visits 1 Labour ( including to excavate trench and dig well ) 3270 2968 With community help the labour cost was reduced. 5 years Water ’Watchman’ ( local community employee ) 6000 6000

Sub-totalCost 40,431.36 40,583

10% contingency/ Contingency Used 4103 151.6410% Milgis Trust Management Fee 4103 4043Project evaluation cost 6000 6000

TotalCost 54,437.36 50,777.64


OPENING CELEBRATION

Following the success of the first Women Helping Women visit to Swari, another group of women supporting the Ndonyo Nasipa project came to Kenya to see for themselves where their support has gone and how it has affected the lives of the Samburu people.

Friday, January 28th, 2011 marked the official day of the Ndonyo Nasipa water opening. Traditionally and culturally, the Samburu tribe celebrates important occasions with prayers, song and dance. This celebration was important for the community as a day where they could voice their thoughts and feelings in the way they know best.

The day began early, in the cool of the morning. The Milgis Trust, Voss Foundation representatives and the women visiting from overseas met the chief and elders of Ndonyo Nasipa at the water well. Here the elders gave a prayer to ‘Nkai’ (the Creator), splashing milk around the well; they gave thanks and asked for protection. After this traditional blessing the chief gave a speech thanking the visitors for coming so far to share this special day with them. He explained how important this project is to the community and how already lives have been changed for the better.

12


With the sun now high in the sky, the Chief invited his visitors to switch on the solar pump and activate the water. Within seconds the solar energy coursed through the system and kicked the water pump into life.

Following the fresh water being pumped up in the pipes underneath their feet, the party began the steep ascent along the pipeline up towards the village. From all around, song echoed throughout the valley. Groups of Samburu women walked together towards the village center dressed from head to toe in their vibrant swathes of cloth and rings of beads, singing proudly.

The pipeline zigzags up the steep hillside avoiding rocky terrain and blooming acacia trees until it reaches the crest of the hill and flattens out with a magnificent view of the rolling valleys and the backdrop of the mighty Matthews Range.

Here the women and children of the community were grouped together around one of the new water points filling their containers with the freshly pumped water from the well, singing about the importance of water and how water is life.

The guests were led around the village seeing where the water was being pumped and how the community could access it, while the school children of Nasipa gave beautiful performances of their traditional songs and dances. After a speech of thanks from the head teacher of Ndonyo Nasipa School, the Milgis Trust Scouts came to give their support to the community and an official greeting to the Chief.

13


Finding a shady seat by the school, the entire community and all their visitors sat quietly awaiting the speeches. All thoughts and emotions were conveyed from the community as a whole as well as from the women and children. Women from other communities far away also came to the celebration to give song and dance and thanks. The women from Swari walked for over a day to join and to share with the visitors the success of the Swari water project and how much it means to them, as well as giving thanks for the Child Sponsorship Program in which several children from Swari are sponsored through secondary school with the help of some of the Women Helping Women visitors.

After the community had shared its voice, the Milgis Trust gave thanks to the community for giving the project all their time and effort in making sure it was a success. The Milgis Trust reminded Ndonyo Nasipa that this project is theirs and they must respect and protect it always.

Voss Foundation representatives and the guests from overseas then shared their feelings and how excited and honored they were to be a part of such a special day and such a life-changing project.

With the speeches concluded Ndonyo Nasipa’s guests left the community in high spirits to reflect on the day and all the thoughts that were shared. The community celebrated throughout the rest of the day and night with roasted goat’s meat given as a gift from the Elders and more beautiful song and dance.

14


Voss Foundation - Oslo

Bygdøy Allé 17 N-0262 OsloNorwaytel +47 23 13 16 [email protected]

Cecilie Malm Brundtlandtel +47 93 44 12 [email protected]

Anette Krosbytel +47 95 03 51 [email protected]

Voss Foundation - New York

236 W 30th St. 12th FL New York, NY 10001USA tel +1 212 995 [email protected]

www.thevossfoundation.org

Milgis Trust

Box 93Naro Moru 10105Kenyatel [email protected]

www.milgistrustkenya.com

Documents

WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, NDONYO NASIPA - Voss · VOSS FOUNDATION, WOMEN HELPING WOMEN WOMEN HELPING WOMEN, NDONYO NASIPA Water project in Kenya 2010 In February 2011 Voss Foundation in