Location
Idunda, Mlevela, Njombe, Tanzania
Community Description
Mlevela is largely agricultural. As a result, the dry season, from May until December, can be very slow, as many people are not able to work. Most of the people belong to the Bena tribe and are incredibly friendly. They are very good at finding ways to work together to meet mutual goals.
KIWAMM is a forward-thinking environmental group, consisting of 20 members who have organized to work together to train villagers in sustainable ways of farming. They work with avocado tree planting and grafting and connecting community members with options for selling surplus for export.
KIWAMM runs a farm that is about an acre in size, with the potential for increase as more money is available for land investment.
Problem Addressed
Without water for the crops during the dry season, much potential income is lost as there is no product to sell.
Project Description
This project is to build an irrigation system for the KIWAMM environmental group in the community. The system will be used to water the avocado trees and cabbage seedlings. The funds derived will provide additional income for the participants, and also for purchasing more materials for planting avocado trees.
The system will consist of a gasoline-powered water pump, piping, irrigation tubes, and fittings and fixtures.
The pump will have the capacity for expansion to provide water for up to 8-10 acres.
The irrigation lines are a drip irrigation system. They are black hoses with small holes every 6 inches, allowing for a gradual and even distribution. They are better for the environment than sprinkler systems, as the water ends up directly on the soil resulting in less water loss due to evaporation.
Valves and connectors will ensure there is no water waste. Special tubing will be used to draw water from the canal and convey it to the pump.
The source of water is a spring a kilometer away, which flows into a small man-dug canal that reaches farms in the surrounding area. It is two feet wide and is about 6 inches deep at this time of year.
Water Charity funds will be used to pay for the pump and other materials.
The installation work will be done by the group with the help of an expert who lives in Njombe town. KIWAMM members will dig the trench and cover the piping.
The pump and distribution system will be maintained by the members of the group. They will be trained in simple maintenance by the regional water officer. In case the group is unable to perform the repair, they will be able to again contact the water officer for another repair consultation.
Project Impact
20 members, plus an additional 80 family members will directly benefit from the project.
3,200 people in the community at large will indirectly benefit as a result of more vegetables being available in the community, especially in the dry season when as a whole vegetables become scarce and more expensive
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Max Wohlgemuth
Comments
The participants, their families, and the community will benefit from more nutritious food and the income opportunities that become available.
Dollar Amount of Project
$275.00
Donations Collected to Date
$275.00 + additional amounts for future projects.
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded through the generosity of friends and family of Peace Corps Volunteer Max Wohlgemuth.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Max of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Max and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.