Sustainability

Far too many water and sanitation projects—as many as 7 of 10--end up failing after a year or two, because of inadequate attention to sustainability. We have worked hard to ensure that our projects will continue well beyond our presence and direct support.

The school-based rainwater harvesting systems are owned and maintained by the local school administrations. The same holds for the campus-based rainwater harvesting systems and the new water lines, tanks, and water outlets at the 31 primary and secondary schools in Phase IV.

Local residents were engaged as monitors representing community interests during construction of all projects, thus increasing chances residents would continue to have a stake in the ongoing maintenance of the systems. In each setting, community meetings were held between Moshi Rotarians and local residents. In several instances, District 5160 Rotarians also participated.

At Nyumba ya Mungu, a local water committee was elected to monitor and oversee the system, under the supervision and guidance of the town executive. In all projects, moving parts are minimal or non-existent, increasing chances that the projects will be sustainable in the long run.  The projects have relied on local talent and on local sources of equipment and supplies ensuring the projects are locally-appropiate and locally-sustained.

By engaging many Rotary clubs from District 5160 and the Kilimanjaro region of District 9200 over several years, we have enhanced chances of continuing involvement over time by supportive Rotarians and Rotary clubs.

For more on sustainability of these projects, see recent entry in Blog link.  This was recently published at blog.Rotary.org.

Photos

Top: Courtyard of St. Rita Lisa School, Holili, Tanzania.

Bottom: Nursery at St. Rita Lisa School, Holili, Tanzania, with water from new rainwater harvesting system.