Funded by The Samburu Project's individual donors in memory Beth Lieberman, The Samburu Project drilled and installed a shallow well equipped with a handpump in this community.
Narrative
They previously had to walk 1 km downstream numerous times per day because they were using the water for growing crops. It was unsafe to drink the original water source. An agricultural initiative provides produce for all of Wamba. The community initiative has produced over 37 different types of crops. It is comprised of roughly 20 women who now have a consistent income generated by selling their produce. Their project has become a model for the entire Samburu district.
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Stephanie Ng of The Samburu ProjectImplementation Status: completed Mon 21 May 2012, Over 12 Years ago
Stephanie Ng's Visit- May 2012
When we arrived, no one was present at the well site. When I looked at the well closer I realized that well was not like our other wells with a hand pump and all. Instead, this well was enhanced for an agricultural initiative funded by M. Night Shyamalan Foundation. Instead of pumping water and collecting the water, the water is now directly piped underground to irrigate the adjacent farm. Therefore, instead of getting water from the well site, the community goes to the tank nearby which has a pipe pumping water to it.
This agricultural initiative was established several years prior and after a few successful seasons, the community, under the guidance of Reuben (our agricultural expert who actually a member of this community), decided to skip this planting cycle and let the soil be replenished with nutrients. Consequently, the community is letting nature run its course for now leaving the farm full of weeds and other indigenous plants. Even though this communal farm is not producing any produce, the community is not starving or set back since each household has their own small garden whereby they are continuing to grow crops for their sustenance. They hope that their decision to let the soil gain back the nutrients will result in an even greater harvest next year. -
John Nyagwencha of Aqua Clara InternationalImplementation Status: completed Thu 01 Sep 2011, Over 13 Years ago
Visit as part of conference in the field
As part of the PWX conference in the field, hosted by The Samburu Project, I visited the Milimani Well - one of 7 projects we visited.
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John Nyagwencha of Aqua Clara InternationalImplementation Status: completed Thu 01 Sep 2011, Over 13 Years ago
Conference visit
A very encouraging project. The integration of the agricultural component in this project has really transformed the lives and livelihoods of the community around the borehole. It's interesting to see people reaching out to satisfy higher level needs once their need for water has been met. Good work!
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Heidi Sheppard of The Samburu ProjectImplementation Status: completed Sun 27 Feb 2011, Almost 14 Years ago
Kristen Kosinski's Visit - February 2011
On her visit Kristen met with a variety of community members, including elders, children and the chairwoman of the community's women's group. Below is the information she gathered on this visit:
-Functioning with a generator that pumps water to a horticulture garden of about 3 acres.
-The garden provides crops like kale, cabbage, and fruit trees for both commercial and domestic use.
-The community is currently able to generate income to pay for school fees, to purchase goods and to start small businesses. -
Heidi Sheppard of The Samburu ProjectImplementation Status: completed Wed 23 Jun 2010, Over 14 Years ago
Sarah Ball's and Ashley Cook's Visit - June 2010
Notes from the Milamani Well:
-The well is no longer a hand pump. A pump and generator have been installed and the water is collected in three tanks, two of which serve irrigation and drinking water needs and one of which is solely for irrigation (it also draws water from the river).
-The well has enough water to supply all of Wamba because of the pump generator.A successful agricultural initiative at the well site:
-Provides produce for much of Wamba. Crops include: sweet potatoes, bananas, kale, leeks, radishes, cabbage, spinach, honey, and potatoes.
-New irrigation systems cost as little as 500 ksh ($6.50).
-District/regional officials come to learn from the community.
-20 farmers in total and all of the farmers are women. Each woman owns her own plot and profits from it.
-Money from the produce supplies food, clothes, and school fees.
-This well site is a model for the district and beyond.
-The community desires to be self-sufficient. - Impact Assessment (M&E) Phase Project completed on 15 Jul, 2007 Implementation Phase
- Implementation Phase Project started on 1 Jul, 2007 Preparation Phase
Funded by The Samburu Project's individual donors in memory Beth Lieberman, The Samburu Project drilled and installed a shallow well equipped with a handpump in this community.
Narrative
They previously had to walk 1 km downstream numerous times per day because they were using the water for growing crops. It was unsafe to drink the original water source. An agricultural initiative provides produce for all of Wamba. The community initiative has produced over 37 different types of crops. It is comprised of roughly 20 women who now have a consistent income generated by selling their produce. Their project has become a model for the entire Samburu district.
Sustainability
Creating and measuring long-term impact
The community agrees by contract to pay for maintenance costs. Each well committee collects approximately $250 per year for this purpose. In order to ensure well functionality and monitor its use, The Samburu Project spends approximately $160 per year per well. This comes from our general fund, which is maintained by individual donations.
Impact
People Impacted: 750
People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 750
The main objective of the project is to provide clean, safe drinking water.
People Getting Sanitation: 750
People Getting Other Benefits: 750
An associated agricultural initiative provides produce for all of Wamba. The initiative has produced over 37 different types of crops. It is comprised of roughly 20 women who now have a consistent income generated by selling their produce. Their project has become a model for the entire Samburu district.
Maintenance/Operating Costs Annual, in US$: $410
Creating and measuring long-term impact
The community agrees by contract to pay for maintenance costs. Each well committee collects approximately $250 per year for this purpose. In order to ensure well functionality and monitor its use, The Samburu Project spends approximately $160 per year per well. This comes from our general fund, which is maintained by individual donations.
Funding
- funded:
- $10,500
- Community:
- $1,850
- Final Cost:
- $12,350
- $13,000:
- Anonymous