Making clean and safe water a reality for 7000 villagers in Karatu, northen Tanzania

Story by Johny Burtony, Intern Communications - World Vision Tanzania

A prominent American Writer Anthony J. D’Angelo once said “Without a sense of caring, there can be no sense of community” adding it is by taking someone else’s problems as yours, that’s what makes us human.

In the same spirit, World Vision Tanzania through Endabash Area Program (AP) in partnership with the government of Tanzania implemented a water project in four villages of Ng’aibara, Endagem, Ayalaliyo and Umbangw’ in Karatu District, Arusha Region in the northern part of Tanzania.

Funded by Korea Ginseng Corporation (KGC) through World Vision Korea, the project involved construction of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities for each of the villages. The facilities comprise of a water tank, pump house, solar panels and distribution points. In total the project costed 932 million Tanzania Shillings (about 398, 973US$).

Pupils along with World Vision and Korea Ginseng Corporation representatives washing their hands to mark the opening of the water project at Ayalaliyo Primary School.

Following the intervention, each of the villages has its own water tank, pump house as well as distribution points to enable community members access safe and clean water. Each water tank built has 50, 000 litres storage capacity. As well, more than 30 distribution points with 60 water taps and 1 cattle trough were built.

During the handing over ceremony, Korea Ginseng Corporation’s Managing Director Kuhum Jong said “This is our first time that we support a water project in foreign country. As part of our social responsibility we want to see brighter future for children around the world””.

Eliroi Fanuel a standard six student at a distribution point near his home.

The project has increased access and utilization of safe water for better hygiene and sanitation facilities. As a result, in 2017 the project is expected to reduce the rate of waterborne diseases among community members which currently stands at 9%.  

Eliroi Fanuel a standard 6 pupil at Barakta Primary School says “before this project we were walking for two hours to fetch water, we were also using same water sources with cattle, goats, sheep and wild animals like hyenas, but now we have water in our school and near our home” adding “We now wash our bodies when we get back from school, thanks World Vision”.

An old water source which was being used by Ayalaliyo villagers before the project.

 On his part, Daniel Kirhima a Project Coordinator for Endabash Area Program said “when we were drilling the boreholes in all villages many community members did not believe if water would come out, since their land is dry. They had never seen tap water in their community before”.

World Vision Tanzania staff alongside KGC representatives and some residents of Nga’ibara Village.

Access to clean and safe water has made it easier for community members to get the service near their homes and do not have to travel long distances in search of water while children go to school without missing their classes.

The project benefits more than 7,000 (74%) of the community members including 2,246 children who currently access water.

Representatives from KGC on top of a water tank at Ayalaliyo village