This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Melissa Lin. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
This project was to construct a scoop dam as a means to alleviate the water shortage. Melissa was unable to finish the project before her Close of Service, and the project was passed on to Peace Corps Volunteer Shauna Biggs.
Shauna reports:
The original project goals and objectives were to build a scoop dam where family and community gardens could be started, and developing a constant source of water in an area that is harshly affected by water shortages. By creating a new and reliable water source, they would directly be improving the livelihood of the community members and generate food security.
After the start of the project, three revisions and conditions were agreed on by the community. The first was to set a fixed date for completion. The second made it the responsibility of the water committee and inner council to move the project forward, hold weekly meetings, and organize all tasks needed to accomplish the project. Lastly, it was the responsibility of the community to store and keep safe all materials and supplies. Thereafter, it would be the responsibility of the community to complete the dam.
The inner council and water committee accomplished the three conditions. All of the materials have been procured ant put into storage. What remains is for Land Development to bulldoze the area and initiate the construction of the dam.
The participants had to overcome numerous obstacles and take steps to work toward completion. These included energizing the local organizations to take charge of the project, obtaining the necessary political support, and securing the allocation from the government for the use of the use of a bulldozer.
We are grateful to Melissa for starting this project and to Shauna to seeing it through to its conclusion. We also again wish to thank The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust for providing the funding.
