TANZANIA VILLAGE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT OPG

Project consists of five subprojects. Subproject one, to provide an adequate water supply, is the prerequisite for each of the remaining components. Six villages will be selected out of the region"s 304 villages according to the following criteria: suitability for water resource development; population of approximately 200 families; willingness to participate in project activities; and agreement of the village council. Three villages will be chosen from the Turu tribe and three from the Iramba tribe. The water resources survey completed by the Government of Australia in 1978 will provide information on the availability of water in each proposed village. Once a village is selected as a feasible site, residents will dig shallow wells and build windmills, pumps, and water storage tanks. One well, with 10 storage tanks, will be built for every 10 families and will supply water for drinking and household use as well as for irrigation of home gardens and saplings. The storage tanks will be reinforced and capped to limit access. Each well will be equipped with windmills and auxiliary pumps to ensure a continuous water supply. LWR will teach villagers to produce 1.0 x 1.5 meter cement rings with which to build the wells and water tanks. Training will also be provided in well maintenance and one villager will be responsible for the maintenance of each well and the adjacent pumping station. The project will benefit 1,200 village families with a total of 6,000 members. The project is expected to particularly benefit women, who will no longer have to walk far from their homes in search of water. An increased and reliable water supply should lead to an increase in food production and village confidence. If successful at this limited, pilot level, the project will be expanded to other villages and regions in Tanzania.