Maasai: Rainwater Harvesting Tanks

Ryan’s Well, along with local partner POWER (Pastoralists Organization for Water and Environmental Research), have partnered together since 2007 to provide Indigenous communities in Kenya with access to clean water. Because traditional Pastoralism is intrinsically linked with the availability of water for grazing livestock, changing climate conditions directly impact the ability of the Maasai to survive and prosper. In turn, this negatively impacts the development and education opportunities of Maasai women and children. For this reason, POWER and Ryan’s Well have been assisting Maasai women with rainwater harvesting tanks as a means of addressing water scarcity. This year is no different, and we will continue to focus our efforts on vulnerable populations in Kajiado County, Southwest Kenya, which is regarded as the most pressing need in the region.

This year, 44 rainwater harvesting tanks will be constructed for 40 households and 4 schools in Kajiado County, Kenya. The project will directly service approximately 1,500 people, and will benefit an additional 800 people from surrounding villages, reaching a total of 2,300 beneficiaries. Community Interest Groups (CIGs) will be organized for all site locations, and women and children will be targeted for WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) training. These Interest Groups will be involved in all planning and implementing stages of the project to ensure total community ownership upon completion of the project. By working with the communities directly, the work is done in an efficient and timely manner, and the project remains sustainable past the construction phase.

What do Funds Support?

• The construction of 40 x 10,000 litre household ferro cement tanks
• The construction of 4 x 30,000 litre ferro cement tanks for 4 schools
• The construction of roofing and eaves required for all 44 rainwater harvesting tanks
• The training of 40 CIG’s (Community Interest Groups) in water management, maintenance of the water source and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) education – approximately 400 women will be targeted for training
• The training of 4 schools (students and staff) and their neighbouring communities in water management, maintenance of the water source and WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) education – approximately 600 children will be targeted for training
• Ongoing local monitoring and evaluation

Water is a critical resource to sustain life, and a lack of water undermines efforts to improve the quality of life among people. For this reason, rainwater harvesting technology will be constructed to provide people in Kajiado County with an adequate supply of free, clean water year-round. POWER’s CEO, Sammy Oleku, and his skilled staff act as a resource for us to help reduce the vulnerability of pastoralists, by promoting sustainable livelihoods, increasing the socio-economic opportunities of women, and building resilience to climate change in Maasai communities.

Every effort is made to designate your funds as requested; however, if the specified project has become fully funded or unforeseen circumstances delay its start, we may allocate your donation to another important project.