Location
Namiyonga, Newala, Mtwara, Tanzania
Community Description
The village of Namiyonga is located in Newala District within Mtwara Region in Southeastern Tanzania, where approximately 1,700 people reside. Namiyonga is located on the Makonde Plateau where the tribal language is Kimakonde. Up on the plateau, the weather is usually fairly hot and humid, with the occasional cool spell, which is accompanied by the yearly rains starting each December.
A majority of the Namiyonga population are subsistence farmers who grow corn, cassava, sorghum, cowpeas, pigeon peas, and sweet potatoes. Water utilized for drinking, cooking, and bathing comes from underground rainwater holding tanks within the village. Some families have their own personal tank, which is attached to a rain catchment system.
Namiyonga has been blessed with a working health dispensary, a primary and secondary school, and a small yet sustainable market area for buying and trading goods and services.
Namiyonga B Primary School relies on water from a village piping system and a holding tank system for water for drinking and cooking. The system has fallen into disrepair, and cannot provide water for the needs of the students and teachers.
Project Description
This project is to repair and rejuvenate the existing underground rainwater holding tank and pipes located at Namiyonga B Primary School.
The body of the existing holding tank will be reinforced with cement to discourage leaks and cracks in the foundation. The tin roof will be repaired with new wooden joists/beams and new galvanized roofing sheets to cover the existing holes and prevent the roof from collapsing.
The existing underground water pipes originate from the aboveground holding tank located at the market in the center of the village. Water is pumped into the above-ground holding tank every six weeks, but the water pipes extending to the primary school holding tank are rotten and have been severed, thus preventing water from passing through.
The technology to be used will consist of galvanized roofing sheets, joists/beams, carpenters nails, underground water pipes, and cement. The manpower needed will be in the form of a mason and a carpenter.
Water Charity funds will be used for the galvanized roofing sheets, underground water pipes, and the cement.
The school committee, consisting of nine members, has informed the District Education Officer of the project, as it affects the students and is on school grounds. The committee members have also created an itemized budget of the equipment, manpower, and technology.
To cut costs, the school committee members have decided to personally cut down the trees themselves and create the joists/beams. They will also do the digging for the insertion of the underground water pipes.
Project Impact
343 students and 7 teachers will benefit from the project. In addition, community members who live nearby and use the rainwater from the holding tank will also benefit.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Jennifer Swanson
Comments
This is a critical infrastructure project for the school. It has been well-planned and has widespread community support. A large number of students and teachers will benefit from improved health and well-being as a result of a reliable supply of safe water.
Dollar Amount of Project
$555.00
Donations Collected to Date
$260.00
ADOPT THIS PROJECT BY CONTRIBUTING THE DOLLAR AMOUNT NEEDED BELOW
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
$295.00
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.