Location
Anketrakabe, Diana II, Madagascar
Community Description
Anketrakabe is a fokontony (village organization) located 47 km from Diego, with about 10 other communes connected. Anketrakabe has the biggest population of about 995 to 1,200 people, including small children and new babies.
Founded in 1916, Anketrakabe is known in the region of Diana II for farming corn.
The market is held in the village every Thursday, but there are rarely vegetables. When there are vegetables offered, they are overpriced and/or spoiled by transport.
Problem Addressed
The village has the soil and the means to farm its own vegetables, but the issue that keeps them from having a healthy variety of food is the lack of nearby water sources.
For two months each year the village rations the water, allowing it to be accessed for only two 4-hour periods each day.
Men and women carry jugs of water almost a mile just to water three bushels of tomatoes; then they have to walk to the stream and do it again.
Project Description
This project is to install 6 pumps for the use of 6 fikambananas (cooperatives), including the rice cooperative, garden cooperative, and women’s gardening group, to irrigate their crops.
The W~3~W (Water 3rd World), a company working through Madeole, is providing the water pumps, which will be used to transport water from far-away streams.
The pumps are made of cement and have wooden handles. They weigh about 17 kg each, with two holes at the top. When the pedals are in motion, water is released.
The pumps are placed about 10 ft off the ground (to provide pressure) and held in place by wooden poles and boards. A hose connects to the pump from the back end and draws the water from the 2 ft-deep streams. It then runs into a 200 L barrel which is connected to PVC pipes to transport it to the fields.
The cooperatives will supply the cement and sand, and the pumps will be transported to Anketrakabe. With the help of the W~3~W workers, the pumps will be put in place within two days.
Each of the cooperatives will sell 25% or more of its yield for low prices within the village.
Water Charity funds will be used to pay for equipment and materials.
Project Impact
995 people will benefit from the project.
Sustainability
The village will check the pumps regularly and maintain them as needed. The money will be set aside every month for maintenance and anticipated replacement. Similar pumps in other areas have been working regularly for over 3 years.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Case Santos
Comments
This project will substantially increase the crop yields in the community, leading to health improvements from better nutrition. It will improve food security, increase income for the participants, and make the village more self-sufficient.
Dollar Amount of Project
$ 1,702.95
Donations Collected to Date
$50.00
This project has been concluded.
ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT OF THE PROJECT
Donations of any amount will be appreciated. The full amount will give you “naming rights” if that is something you would like.
Any contributions in excess of the Dollar Amount of the Project will be allocated to other projects directed by this PCV and/or projects of other PCVs in this country.
Dollar Amount Needed
$1,652.95
