Sand Dams in Kenya

Back on track

Many of you will remember the District-wide Sand Dams project led by Dawlish Water Rotary Club, which has led to the successful establishment of six sand dams, mainly in Kenya.

Above: A completed dam

These sand dams – basically concrete dams built across sedimentary rivers – have supplied thousands of people in dry lands with a safe and secure water supply that has improved their economic prospects and their environments. We suspended fund-raising while many clubs, including our own, were engaged in helping the people of Ukraine and those affected by earthquakes and other disasters. Now we are re-focusing on the SandDams Project as climate change becomes even more of a challenge.

As you know, earlier this year World Environment Month focused on the many challenges posed by our changing climate. We are currently looking at supporting a further dam in Kenya, while also exploring with various parties the possibilities of building sand dams in Tanzania. Severe floods have affected parts of Tanzania, causing considerable damage. Sand dams would harness this water and provide long-term supply for improving agriculture, which, in turn would provide employment for many young people who presently pour into the cities with little chance of work.

A total of 36 Rotary clubs in this District have generously supported Sand Dams over the last eleven years. Now we are now seeking funds again and so we would ask clubs if they could consider supporting the project over this year or subsequent years. In the meantime, we would like to thank all those clubs for their amazing support so far.

For further details, or if you would like arrange a club presentation, you

are welcome to contact:

Brian Hodge – Lead Co-ordinator - bhodgedawlish@aol.com

Bruce Pell – Project Manager bpassoc@btinternet.com

BACKGROUND

Dawlish Water Rotary Club has been the lead club for the District-wide Sand Dams project since the autumn of 2012. This Rotary project is truly making a world of difference – in line with the principal aims of Rotary. With the fantastic support from other Rotary clubs in Devon & Cornwall and beyond, over £35,000 has been donated directly – and more than doubled through utilising Rotary global, Government and other matching grants wherever possible. We always seek match-funding.

The first dam in Eastern Kenya was completed in February 2016. Four other dams have been completed since in Kenya ( and one in India) and we are now looking at raising money to support further cost-effective dams.

HOW IT WORKS

On average, sand dams serve communities of 1,000 people. Villagers have to pledge and build their own dams while the money and expertise is supplied through Rotary and Sand Dams Worldwide, a partner of Rotary. Sand dams provide a reservoir of water purified by natural filtering through sediments and sands. They therefore protect against evaporation and disease – while allowing farmers to grow crops and trees, and households to access clean water. Furthermore, they allow expansion of education as families can pay for this through an improved local economy and children and women do not have to spend hours trekking under the burning sun to collect water.

VALUE OF SAND DAMS

The true value of sand dams can be counted in a number of ways:

• First and foremost they are self-help schemes – enabling local communities to build their own resource with pride and self-worth

• They provide a ready, reliable source of clean water

• They prevent evaporation of this precious resource and prevent the spread of disease through contaminated water, mosquitoes and cattle

• They enable farmers to develop crops and tree plantations and improve the local economy

• They encourage ‘green areas’ as the water table rises

• They help improve the local environment and local climate

CONTRIBUTORS 

Dawlish Water Rotary would like to say a big thank-you to Exeter Southernhay who joined them enthusiastically right at the beginning, and to all the other clubs who have contributed so generously to date.

Initially, 12 Rotary Districts were involved and now there are 20 Districts embracing some 200 clubs. At the beginning it was suggested that Rotary would be able to deliver clean water at £10 per person for life - currently water is being delivered below that cost to well over 70,000 people

ROTARY IS INDEED MAKING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE.

DONATIONS

If you feel you can help by donating to the Sand Dams Project from your international funds, we would be very pleased to hear from you.

Donations can be sent direct to our ring-fenced account:

(Rotary Club of Dawlish Water Charity 2 account)

but please reference your club………………………………..RC / SDAMS

Lloyds Bank Sort code: 30-84-67 Acct. No. 48437468

Please confirm your donation by emailing:

Dawlish Water Club Treasurer Robin Buchanan             rgybuchanan@btinternet.com

Bruce Pell, Dawlish Water International                            bpassoc@btinternet.com