Sand Dams

The Sand Dams Project in District 1010


What are Sand Dams?

Sand Dams are the most cost-effective form of rainwater harvesting and provide communities with a clean, local and reliable source of water – even during periods of drought.

Sand Dams store up to 40 million litres of water and provide a year-round supply for up to 1,000 people – with virtually zero operation and maintenance costs.  Sand Dams store water under sand, protecting it from contamination, evaporation and parasites – cleaner water that lasts longer.

Sand Dams save people up to 12 hours a day because they provide water to families an average of only 30 minutes from home.  Communities are then able to invest this time in protecting their land from erosion and investing in climate smart agriculture.
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For  new Report on Sand Dams and Rotary CLICK HERE

Sand Dams 

As many of you will be aware, District 1010 have contributed to the building of several Sand Dams since 2011/12.

Our contributions have usually been matched by District Grant funds and have fed into Global Grants which have been organised through a Multi-District group headed by James Onions, PDG Area 1145.

We had £9,933 donated for Sand Dams, unspent in the District Account. This money has been there for some time as logistic problems between the multi District Sand Dam group, RI Global Grants admin and Excellent Development had failed to form the perfect alignment for our participation in Sand Dam projects.

Further complications included the Coronavirus Pandemic which halted many projects across Africa (and the world). DFID (Department for International Development), who often match funded out projects has now been subsumed into the Foreign Office which may lead to Humanitarian aid having a more political agenda.

  ASDF (Africa Sand Dams Fundation) who have been a constant in all our projects and who carry out feasibility and logistic analysis of our projects have now re-commenced Sand Dam  operations and we have been recommended two projects. Both of these can start immediately in order to be ready for the forthcoming rainy season which will fill the dams with water initially and start the build up of sand which will form a reservoir to provide a source of clean water for drinking and agriculture for years to come.

The first is Tyaa Kwa Tito/Musyoka Mung'eto in a village called Mwambala, Kamutungu in Mungalu in Mwingi West, Kitui County. Kenya.  How's that for an address? 

The self help group has 23 members - 13 men and 10 women. The village has 167 people and the sublocation 1664. The broader area also benefits from the dam. The total project cost is a maximum of £18,248 of which we are paying half with matching funds from other sources. Rotary 1010 North Scotland will be on the Plaque as the sole Rotarian Donor of this one.

We are also looking to fund Manyanga Farmers field School. Total cost is £35,393 so looking for £17,697 from Rotary Clubs. Rotary 1010 North Scotland will be on the Plaque as well as other Districts on this Dam.

We have therefore transferred £9933.17 to District 1143 to fund first the Tyaa Kwa Tito/Misyoka Mung'eto then the balance towards the Dam with Agriculture at Manyanga Farmers Field.

Both Projects are in Kitui County where we have funded previous Dams. 

Unfortunately, DDF funding which has, in the past, matched our donations and fed into Global grant doubling, is not available in these unusual times. 

This empties the District Sand Dams account, but I hope to report soon on the completion of these projects.

Previous Sand Dam Projects

The final Report on Global Grant 4  includes details of the Kumina Wauni Sand Dam Extension including a picture of the Plaque recognising the contributions of the Rotary Clubs of Callander, Kinross, North Fife, Pitlochry and St Andrews. The extension provides enough water to provide for the village of 660 people including scope for irrigation of their developing agriculture. There are now 60 Dams Funded by the multi District Group and as well as considerable need and scope in Kenya, opportunities are being explored in India, Mozambique and Tanzania.

Accordingly, the £12,700 of contributions in the District 1010 account, with a District Foundation Grant, can be fed into Global Grant 5 application to further multiply the value of contributions from Clubs in our District.

Thank-you to all Clubs who have contributed to this very worthwhile cause.

To read the full Report, click here and to see a blown-up picture of the Plaque recognising our Clubs, click here …..

Please contact John Glascodine with any questions.

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