Location
Migambo, Lushoto, Tanga, Tanzania
Community Description
Migambo is a village located near Mkuzi rainforest, sitting sixteen kilometers from Lushoto in the Usambara Mountains.
Within the village, there are two secondary schools, two primary schools, as well as one carpentry and one masonry training school. Most villagers are subsistence farmers.
Migambo is known throughout the area for its high agricultural production, where farmers are capable of growing anything from cabbage and taro root to raspberries and loquat.
The high agricultural output can be attributed to the substantial amount of rainfall. Each year there are two rainy seasons, with bouts of precipitation yearlong.
Currently, there are around 120 students at Migambo Secondary School.
Problem Addressed
There is no water supply at the school. Students must miss significant portions of the school day while fetching water from nearby springs, which are polluted by local agriculture.
Due to the time and effort required to fetch water, there is not enough to fulfill the school’s basic needs, such as flushing toilets, water for washing hands, water for drinking, and water for cooking.
Project Description
This project is to build a rainwater catchment system at the school.
The water storage tank will be built using the Interlocking Stabilized Soil Brick (ISSB) technology. The technique, which uses soil, cement, and sand to make bricks, can be seen in the projects completed under our Interlocking Stabilized Soil Bricks Water Tank Program-Uganda.
This is a new technology to Migambo village, where community members are currently using kiln-fired bricks that require firewood from the neighboring rainforest.
An ISSB press will be purchased and used for the project. It will be given to the masonry training school, whose members will do the work on the project. The use of the press will reduce the cost of this project as well as for any future masonry-related projects implemented by the training school.
Under the direction of the Migambo Project Committee, a 3,000-liter rainwater storage tank will be constructed using bricks made with the press.
A system of gutters will be affixed to the roof of the school and connected by piping to the tank.
All of the labor will be contributed by the masonry school and other members of the community.
Water charity funds will pay for the materials, including the press, cement, gutters, and tap.
Project Impact
150 people will immediately benefit from the project, including secondary school students and teachers. The masonry training school will own the press, which can be used in countless future development projects.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Jake Donaghy
Comments
In addition to the water availability issue that is addressed by the rainwater catchment system, this project brings about a number of important benefits. The technology is proliferated through teaching and experience. The purchase of the press and use in the future by the masonry school ensures the proliferation through subsequent projects. Finally, the implementation of a useful and successful project will impel the community toward future development efforts.
Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00
Donations Collected to Date
$555.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded through the generosity of The Holistic Light, of Hudson, FL, USA.
This project has been concluded.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Jake Donaghy of your donation. Additional funds will be applied to the Yuganda Country Fund to be used for current and future projects in the country of service.
