Project Achievements 2009
3 self-help communities in Kenya, Africa
- 4,000 people benefited directly from the project outputs
- 40,000 people indirectly benefiting from improved water supply
- 6 new sand dams
- 1 school water tank
- 1 sand dam extension
- Terraced 23,600 metres of land (exceeding the original target by 12,400 metres)
- Produced 8,000 seedlings in tree nurseries
- Planted 5,000 trees
Sand Dams Explained
A sand dam produces millions of litres of clean water. A sand dam is simply a reinforced concrete wall built across seasonal river beds with a pipe running through it. Over a few seasons, rain water and sand build up behind the dam. Eventually, huge amounts of clean water filtered through sand is stored. The water table rises enabling farmers to irrigate their crops with a dependable water source, and filtered drinking water is available all year around.
Benefits of Terracing
In drought prone regions, digging terraces is a vital soil conservation technique enabling farmers to grow food, improve soil and conserve water.
Tree Nurseries
Reforestation is a key strategy for the sustainable development of semi arid Africa. Water stored in sand dams mean farmers can germinate thousands of tree seedlings in nurseries.
