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Introduction
The Rotary Club of Embakasi is keen on building up on the gains from the Sand Dams project carried out targeting the communities in Katethya and Woni wa Kivila. In Rotary year 23/24, with support from 9 other Nairobi Based Rotary clubs, RCE embarked on a scale up of the Sand Dams Project though this goal wasn't achieved due to lack of funds. The club is now reaching out to partners and well-wishers to support the implementation of this project.
The Scaling Up initiative aims to sustainably address the needs of community members while empowering them to continue taking care of their sustenance needs. This project will address various critical needs in the community, including water scarcity, education, sanitation, economic empowerment, maternal and child health, and environmental sustainability. The whole community stands to benefit but women, children, and youth in the region are the primary beneficiaries. The comprehensive approach that has been adopted will include constructing a sand dam, water piping and pumping to locations near the villages, supporting access to basic education, disease prevention initiatives through Medical Camps, economic empowerment activities and planting fruit trees and indigenous trees to combat climate change.
Project description
The proposed project comprises multiple interconnected components with the main aim of creating a sustainable transformation for Katethya and Woni wa Kivila communities in Mwingi, Kitui through provision of access to clean, safe and sustainable water . The key project components include:
1. Construction of 2 Sand Dams that will provide a reliable source of water for the community, promoting agriculture, livestock rearing, and domestic use. This is aimed at mitigating the effects of droughts and improve food security.
2. Installing a water piping system and a pumping mechanism to allow for equitable distribution of water to households, schools, health facilities, and other community institutions.
3. Enhancing access to quality education by renovating and equipping of a local school, providing learning materials, and conducting teacher training programs.
4. Improving the community's access to Maternal and Child Health services through creation of partnerships and linkages. These will support equipping of healthcare facilities, training healthcare workers, and conducting awareness campaigns to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
5. Disease Prevention through supporting the implementing vaccination programs, promoting hygiene practices, and conducting health education campaigns to prevent diseases and improve community health.
6. Providing opportunities for economic empowerment through training, mentorship, and financial support to women, youth, and vulnerable groups for income-generating activities, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
7. Environment conservation through planting fruit trees and indigenous trees to combat climate change, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance the overall ecological balance of the region
Goal
Sustainably support Katethya and Woni wa Kivila villages in Mwingi with tools and resources needed to address their subsistence needs, access to water, economic development and combating environmental degradation. This project will be implemented in phases with Sand Dam construction being the initial phase.
Objectives
1. Increase water availability through the construction of 2 additional sand dams to capture and store rainwater, ensuring a reliable water supply throughout the year.
2. Enhance agricultural productivity by creating the potential for irrigation and support dry-season farming to increase food security.
3. Boost livelihoods through enabling local communities to engage in agriculturally based income-generating activities through improved water access.
4. Strengthen community resilience and build capacity within communities to manage and maintain sand dams effectively.
Expected Outcomes
1. Increased water availability for both domestic and agricultural use for approximately 5000 community members through construction of 2 new Sand Dams, each with an average capacity of 4,000 cubic meters.
2. Improved agricultural output due to availability of water that allows all year-round farming. This will in turn lead to increased crop yields and food security.
3. Economic empowerment of women, youth, and vulnerable populations, leading to increased household income and reduced poverty levels.
4. Community empowerment through strengthening the community's capacity to manage their water resources and enhance their ecosystem sustainability.
5. Environmental sustainability through the planting of fruit trees and indigenous trees, combating climate change and promoting a greener environment
Budget
The total budget required for the entire project is USD 250,000. These funds will be needed at different phases of the project and will be allocated as follows
No. Category COST (USD)
1 Water &WASH 92,000.00
2 Environment 30,000.00
3 Basic Education 65,000.00
4 Economic Empowerment 33,000.00
5 Operations 30,000.00
TOTALS 250,000.00
A detailed breakdown of how these funds were arrived at can be accessed here http://bit.ly/4g7RF7p
Monitoring and evaluation
To ensure transparency and accountability, RC Embakasi will establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system. Regular progress reports, site visits, and impact assessments will be conducted to monitor the project's effectiveness and make necessary adjustments. Working with the Africa Sand Dams Foundation, we shall have a prior agreed plan on how the whole project will be monitored during the implementation and post-implementation phases.
While monitoring will routinely track the progress of program/project activities, the evaluation will help us assess the extent to which the activities being carried out will result in the achievement of program/project outcomes.
Community Needs Assessment
The Community Needs Assessment process
The Joint Committee for the Scaling up of Mwingi Sand Dams Project had a meeting on the 7th of September and resolved to have the exercise scheduled for the 15th of September
Africa Sand Dams Foundation, our partner in this project was tasked with mobilizing the community members and the key stakeholders who were to be involved in the exercise.
The partner clubs through their Project Directors developed data collection tools to assist with the exercise.
Parties and Peoples Involved during the exercise
Katethya 2 Self Help Group
Africa Sand Dams Foundation
County Government of Kitui - Health Department Representatives
Winzyeei Health Centre
Waita Health Centre
On September 15th, a team of 21 Rotarians accompanied by 2 officials from the county government of Kitui and 4 staff members from ASDF carried out the exercise.
The Katethya group members in attendance were 44 - 30 Female & 14 male
Methodology:
Due to the different nature of data needed, various methods as outlined in the Rotary Assessment Toolkit were utilized
Community Mapping
Focused Group Discussions
Key Informant Interviews
Field Findings - FGD Notes
Katethya 2 Self Help Group has been in existence since 2016 under the leadership of Chair Lady Elizabeth Kavengi. They were initially formed as a merry go round group but has grown to work towards addressing several needs in their community a quest that lead them to start working with ASDF
In the 3 years they have partnered with ASDF, they have put up 2 Sand Dams one of which RC Embakasi was hosting a global grant that supported the construction of the dam. They are targeting to construct their third sand dam. The group has been mobilising members to gather the locally available material for the construction. The dam will be sited on Masaani River a few meters from two old dams that were constructed during the colonial times that are no longer serving their purpose.
Socio - Economic data
The community members mostly practice subsistence farming and animal husbandry. They keep cattle and goats which are adapted to this climate. Those near rivers practice irrigation farming throughout the year.
They also weave sisal ropes & kiondos for sale in local markets, brickmaking and engage in several small scale businesses.
Men and women do chores together and the division of labour in the community not very pronounced. For instance, during the construction of the dams, both women and men will provide labour. Even at the home front, wives and husbands support each other.
Women and children are however seen as being more vulnerable as they take on a bigger share of responsibilities especially when it comes to search for water.
For people with disability, the community members sometimes help them. They are helped to get water and other things like firewood/food.
Rural Urban migration has affected the community greatly. Some men have deserted their families due to alcoholism or drug abuse which has led to early deaths of men. Increased incidents of widowhood in the community has been blamed to alcohol and drug abuse.
The community members reported a lack of medical services especially proper maternity amenities. Linda Mama hasn't been working and pregnant women have to buy all the needed supplies when going to deliver at a facility.
The hospitals/ dispensaries lack basic medicine and when seeking treatment patients are referred to private chemists to buy drugs.
Electricity hasn't been availed to community members though the poles were erected a few years ago.
Community infrastructure
Schools - ECDE, Primary & Secondary
Roads - Murram/ all-weather roads
Churches
Hospitals - Government, Private
Markets
Water points - Rivers (Kwa Ngóto, Masaani)
On sources of water:
The community currently relies on rainfall and the seasonal river in the community for water. The rain season is between April - May and Nov - Dec.
Some households try water harvesting during the rainy season but majority are not able to store the water for long due to lack of adequate storage facilities.
There are community members with boreholes and water kiosks that also provide water for the community. Water is sold at Ksh. 2- 5 for 20 litre jerrican.
Some members have been able to get water from the new Katethya Sand Dam
The average distances walked in search of water range between 4 -10km. Donkeys are used to carry water home. In some cases, community members start the search for water as early as 4am and are times have to wait for long due to queues at the water point.
Insecurity for the women and children who have to wake up early in search of water.
The water has to be treated for domestic use through use of water guard or boiling for drinking water. Most of the water has brownish pigmentation and community members are highly affected by water borne diseases.
To address these challenges, the community members have proposed
Sand Dam Construction
Earth dam
Shallow well attached to the sand dam
Water harvesting for homesteads
Solar pumping to places near the community
Environmental Challenges
Famine & droughts - seasons have become short and the rains aren't enough
Water borne Diseases - Stomach ailments due to contaminated water
Malnutrition
Diseases - skin diseases, sun burns
Crop diseases & pests that were not there in the past
Flooding during the rainy season - soil erosion & Temporary houses are prone to falling
Crop failure due to inadequate rains
To address these challenges, the community members practice
Terracing of farm lands
Water harvesting - Sand Dam & household water storage
Planting drought resistant crops
Conserving pasture for livestock
Improving soil fertility through manure application
Early planting
Community Contribution & Project Sustainability
Group members have come together and have gathered locally available materials. There are piles of "hardcore" and kokoto (ballast) at the site for use when construction starts.
They have organized themselves to provide labour during construction as well as provide security for the building materials at the site.
Furthermore, they will undertake feeding of all the people taking part in the construction work. They will also purchase the polythene material that will cover the dam during the curing process as well as pay for watchman costs.
Post Implementation, the group members will have been trained on how to do repairs as would be needed. They shall protect the project site from any tampering of equipment and take care of pump maintenance.
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