Ndandini Water Distribution Project Global Grant Update from Terry Umbach Nov 21

Posted by Craig Clarke

on Nov 21, 2011

Hi Ndandini WaterDistribution Project partners (Global Grant 25462)

My last update was September 7th. At that time, we had just forwarded all club contributions to TRF and Jan & I were just about to head off to Kenya (where we have been for 6 of the past 7 weeks). During that time much has happened. I hope that you have been keeping up to date by accessing our blogs at www.ndandini.blogspot.com and www.ndandini-scholarshipfund.blogspot.com . We have posted information on our project progress and many photos.

The past two months has been quite difficult with the Kenyan Shilling undergoing significant devaluation causing significant increases in the cost of anything imported or made from imported components. The cost of food and gasoline have also risen sharply. Prices for the tractor and bowser and tanks needed for our project have all been impacted. This is making it a challenge for us to stay within the available project funds.

I am happy to report that:

- all project Global Grant funds have been received from TRF,

- we have purchased the tractor (a 75hp New Holland 4WD model TT75) for the project,

- we have surveyed each of the school sites where water tanks will be installed and in consultation with the teachers and parents from each school have identified the best location for the tanks,

- our project manager Duncan has worked at the village for the past month to complete the building of the cement bases for 4 of the 7 water tank sites,

- we have negotiated for the design and fabrication of the bowser (water tank trailer) and expect to order it this week, and

- we expect to order the water tanks for 4 of the 7 tank sites this week.

Construction of the bases for the other 3 sites and the installation of those tanks will occur after the tractor is delivered to the village as we require it to be able to deliver materials and workers to these more remote sites during the construction phase.

The school administrators, teachers, students and villagers are VERY excited. At each of the six schools we met with the teachers and interested parents. In the four years that we have been visiting Ndandini and Kyaithani this is the highest level of interest and support that we have witnessed. Parents are actively planting small gardens at the schools to support the school meal program at each of the schools in anticipation of water becoming available at the school (and in the meantime fetching the water from the dry riverbed by donkey).

Having seen the large tomato crop which is now ripening in the Ndandini Primary School greenhouse and the newly installed solar lighting system at the Kyaithani Secondary School, everyone was keen to tell us how much benefit a greenhouse or solar lighting system would be at their school too. And we agree - these would be easy small follow-on projects for any Rotary Club to undertake. Wouldn't it be great if we could provide each of these schools with similar items? These projects that we have already completed are making a big difference in the lives of these people. Check the blogs for first-hand comments and reports.

In my last update, I asked our partner Rotary Clubs to consider sponsoring one or more students of the Kyaithani Secondary School for a one year $300 scholarship. I am happy to report that so far, the Aalborg-Stigsborg RC in Denmark has provided one scholarship. I hope to hear from other Rotary Clubs before our fund-raising campaign for this coming year's scholarships must conclude in early January. We are hoping that we will be able to provide at least 12 scholarships this year.

In my last update, I also mentioned my interest in getting people to become "mentors" to students in the Ndandini and Kyaithani schools through the internet. We have now provided the needed internet-enabled computer at the Kyaithani Secondary School and teachers and students are beginning to send us emails! I recently discovered a very interesting mentoring program which used the internet called the InfiniteFamily. See www.infinitefamily.org for more information on how one woman saw a similar mentoring need and has created an organization to pair mentors from around the world with students in South Africa. I am in contact with this organization to explore including Kyaithani in their supported group of students who are being paired with mentors. This could provide a well structured communication/mentoring system for us to use as we seek to secure a group of interested mentors from within our circle of Rotarian and non-Rotarian project donors. I will keep you posted on our progress in this area.

It was a great honour on October 30th while Jan & I were in Nairobi to present, on behalf of our Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow award to Duncan who has been our project manager for the past 3 years. Without his dedication and help it would have been impossible to have done the things that we have accomplished in the Ndandini area over the past several years. This recognition of Duncan by Rotary was heartily welcomed by the villagers when they were told about it and they have asked me to thank Rotary for recognizing Duncan's help.

Looking forward, I expect that we will have the bowser fabricated by year end; the 4 water tanks installed by year end; the tractor and bowser delivered in early January; and the first water being delivered to the 4 sites by mid-January. Installation of the remaining 3 tanks will be done as soon as possible thereafter.

As always, if anyone has any questions just send me an email. I will be posting additional information on the blogs shortly as I receive ongoing photos from Duncan and from the teachers at Kyaithani Secondary School.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas season and a great New Year. It will be a "great" new year for many people in Ndandini and Kyaithani - thanks to you.

Yours in Rotary

Terry Umbach

RC Sunshine Coast - Sechelt