Tanzania Water Project - MSABI - Safe Water for Better Health Ifakara

MSABI Education Report 2011

2012-02-13T01:00:00.000-08:00

The table and pictorial above show distribution of people for every education program MSABI undertook in 2011.

MSABI has worked hard last year (2011) to bring to the community education related to water, sanitation and hygiene. It has tried to use different mechanism to attract more people in its meetings and good turn back has been observed from the community. The year 2011 MSABI initiated drama groups that carried different messages related to sanitation and hygiene as well as messages that mobilized people from the community with no access to water to form into groups and try to raise fund so as to get water point access from MSABI. It also kept on its education activities in primary schools to keep informing school kids on different ways that ensure cleanliness and hygiene.

Community members keen listening to MSABI meetings

Updates on Pottery

2012-02-04T09:42:00.000-08:00

My name is Bruno Sanga I am working to one 0f MSABI project known as pottery.I am a core subproject manager, the project is going on well. We are producing the filter pots with the mixture of clay and rice husk and water. We produce them by using two moulds, a female mould and a male mould, also we use a workshop press with a jack of thirty tons. The filters take about ten days to dry but this depending on air condition because sometime they dry up to two weeks. After that we load them into the kiln then we fire, after firing our lab technician takes them to the lab for testing. The results are very interesting and filters are about 96% to 99% bacteria removal without silver application. We are at the last point to improve the quality of the filters. We expect to start the distribution of the filter pot in the mid of March this year. From that time the solution of diseases related to water will be found because these filter pots will help the communities living in rural areas which never boiled or treated drinking water.

Regards,

Bruno Sanga

The Kiberege Project - Part 1 - Mobilisation

2012-01-28T00:35:00.000-08:00

Following a meeting with a Kilombero regional ward councillor MSABI identified that there was a remote community with low access to safe water. The community is made of approx. 3000 people living in 3 villages, the community is mainly Masai/Sukuma a traditionally nomadic group who typically rear goats and cattle which graze and move across the lands.

The area is far (60km) from the main Mikumi to Ifakara road, and travel there during this season was particularly difficult, see photo below.

Transport difficulties when reaching remote communities.

Santiago, a MSABI project manager visited the communities as part of our mobilisation activities. Mobilisation is the first step in MSABI's process. The aim is to mobilise people to know about MSABI, safe water access and water treatment. For these particular groups at Kpingu it was the first time an NGO had visited and first time water programme, government or otherwise had visited. The community was excited by the prospect of a improved water access. They were shown pictures of the pump and both the contract and technical details of the rope pump were discussed.

The roads have recently become difficult given the short rains season.

The second stage of mobilisation is called a WOW visit. Essentially from all the people present at the mobilisation, several representatives are elected to travel to and meet residents in another region who own a pump. Here they can use the rope pump themselves, see the product as a customer and importantly discuss with that communities how they worked together to raise funds and how they subsequently manage and maintain their water point.

Masai mobilisation meeting, the first time seeing the rope pump.

The three villages quickly formulated groups of community members to process water point applications. A remarkable 20 in total, highlighting the demand and need for water. This is an important point. A simple mobilisation visit has lead to 20 groups joining to obtain the money and organisation to engage with MSABI.

Currently several community members have travelled to the MSABI office to collect application forms and formally sign contracts. Over time the number of water points groups may reduce, but the awareness of the technology is in the village, and given this mobilisation approach the installation of one water point usually sparks more requests from other local groups.

Kipingu Village mobilisation meeting, interest from all parts of the community.

We have decided to follow this project from start to completion to highlight the MSABI process and how we really are reaching the neediest communities with our water points. This project is part of our normal water point intervention programme, this is what we do every day.

Santiago and Kiran.

Latest MSABI Newsletter Available

2012-01-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

Our latest MSABI newsletter is available for download from our website.

www.msabi.org

If you would like to be on the newsletter mailing list please email:
msabinews@gmail.com

Speak to you next from Tanzania,
Cheers, Dale.

Cambodia fact finding trip

2012-01-24T00:53:00.000-08:00

In December I was fortunate enough to travel to Cambodia after the Kuala Lumpur IWA conference. It was a very refreshing and inspiring visit to a country on the move! I really enjoyed the Cambodian people who I found to be polite and relaxed - and a rather respectful indifference to foreigners which made you feel like you fitted in instantly (at street level). The food was very very good and the level and pace of development in the capital Phnom Penh was impressive to say the least.

Of course I'm generalising and the impact of my findings must be carried like a grain of salt as they are based on my very brief 1 week experience in the capital Phnom Penh.

During my trip I managed to catch up with two organisations working on WASH related programs. IDE - International Development Enterprises have being working on developing and implementing sanitation business models focusing on the supply chain. They have achieved great success with establishing affordable technology and routes for the knowledge of construction to be expanded country wide, and for local entrepreneurs to establish their own sanitation supply business. Once a critical mass was acheived (through no doubt a lot of hard intensive field work) they are seeing natural replication and innovation of such businesses across Cambodia. The technology is essentially concrete rings to provide a stable pit for waste storage, and affordable squat plates. It can be done very cheaply for <$10. My concerns with such simple and one-dimensional technology is that it is not at all suitable for high aquifer locations where direct injection of shit into water table will cause serious environmental and health impacts. IDE has a very business orientated approach to their community interventions and the way they operate their NGO. I believe they are a forerunner in this field and I have great admiration for their organisational history and current directions - though I was unable to establish their competition vs collaboration ethos. Their team was very busy during my visit and I thank Tamara Baker for her time.
http://www.ide-cambodia.org/
IDE was also involved with the establishment of a very new and impressive filter pot factory. The factory was co-funded by a Gates Grant from my understanding. The factory was clean, well designed and with a practical selection of relatively affordable machinery. If anything the whole structure and layout was over-engineered - resulting in a rather expensive building structure. I was met by a very friendly and accommodating Cambodian Manager - Mr Sarath. He explained in detail all of their production methodologies and lessons learnt. IDE commissioned a team of designers to provide a very fancy receptacle to house the filter pot. It is rather space age looking and would make an impressive appliance feature in any modern kitchen - perhaps too modern and costly however for an average Cambodian to afford. The cost of the filter is around $3, however the receptacle costs around $12. Together they are sold for around $20. Unfortunately they need to make around 7000 filters a month to break even and they are currently producing around 2000 due to issues with production - problems drying the clay prior to firing. There are also issues with arsenic in the clay - so they flush the fired filters for 24 hours to purge the arsenic from the clay - a considerable amount of single use water. This water was going out the back fence and likely contaminating an arsenic free shallow aquifer with arsenic! I see they are also jumping on the carbon credit band wagon - which I am yet to be convinced that such deals are nothing more than dodgy. Considering that not many people boil water and the factory uses tonnes of wood for firing the kilns and also diesel for running generators to operate the machinery - anyway I trust they have the correct baseline calculations and audits in place. For pictures of the filter and factory website follow below link:
http://www.hydrologichealth.com/

My next institutional visit was to the RDIC - Resource Development International - Cambodia. I was warmly welcomed by John Burnette who with his wife Vicki have been involved with RDIC for nearly a decade and volunteered full time in Cambodia for the last 6 years. John was very knowledgeable on all aspects of RDIC operations and he was very gracious with his time with me. RDIC was founded by Mickey Sampson who was an instrumental pioneer of the development of filter pots. From what I can understand Mickey was a entrepreneurial genius who established a filter pot factor and a million other side projects and built incredible momentum in a very short time. Tragically he passed away unexpectedly just as RDIC was blossoming. I thought MSABI was trying to do too many activities - but RDIC are about 10 years ahead with a crazy number of irons in the fire. They operate the national water quality and microbiological laboratory, direct a very successful community health media program - think muppets crossed with seasame st teaching about water, health and hygiene. This program is broadcast on national TV. They also have a filter pot factory, open well digging and rope pumps, manufacture concrete water tanks, produce soap and run community outreach health interventions with a team of nurses. It is very impressive - a large operation - and a little chaotic. When you are doing too much efficiency can be lost and finding/building local human resources is a challenge. The organisation has a very traditional approach of serving the community - get the interventions to the community without strong emphasis on community buy in or commitment. Almost all filters are distributed for free or sold to other NGOs. In contrast, MSABI is very much more pushing strongly towards developing sustainable service delivery business models owned and operated by local community members. However, our approach to integrated interventions, low-tech solutions, open sharing and learning are very similar. RDIC is a progressive NGO - though in very different ways to IDE. I must say I really liked the open, frank and warm feel of the RDIC team and look forward to tracking their progress and hopefully collaborating in the future.

Great guy - John Burnette from RDIC - a volunteer lifer!

Machinery at the RDIC factory - this unit extrudes clay blocks

Pressed pots dry on racks prior to firing. The rack have wheels and can be easily moved around the factory floor.

Mahi kiln in action. RDIC fires up to 200 pots a day. As a comparison, MSABI plans to commence production of 300 pots per month this year. We are trying to adopt a low-cost low-tech approach, though there is a very fine recipe between success and failure. There was a lot of discussion between myself and John on lessons learnt and paths moving forward. If we prove our 300 per month concept, then I can see potential for establishing a filter pot factory in Ifakara - though to match our organisational strategy we would need to satisfy a commercial business model, with the factory likely owned and operated by a local business entrepreneur. We would consider an MSABI own/operate model with proceed recycled to drive our community interventions - though that would require a lot of energy and management work.

The pots are soaked to remove arsenic entrained in the clay and undertake flow rate tests - for identification of out of spec pots.

This is an example rope pump fitted for an open well. RDIC has come up with a number of innovative improvements to this model. All pumps are now produced by an external local contractor.

RDIC builds these impressive globe water tanks.

This is a 12V entertainment audio-visual system. It is designed for putting on the back of a motorbike or bicycle and providing educational information to remote villages.

Meet a Cambodian Muppet.

RDIC uses a simple receptacle design that costs $7. The total sale price for their filter and receptacle product is $12. It was a real treat to visit 2 filter pot factories - the home of scaled production. I had read so much information and studied their production manuals - and we have done our best to replicate in Tanzania with a low tech approach.

RDIC staff apply silver nitrate to fired pots.

Valuable lessons learnt summary

2012-01-22T20:43:00.001-08:00

Acumen have put together a very good summary of their "10 Lessons Learnt".
It would be nice to work with a group such as Acumen in the future. These lessons reflect our own ongoing experiences in the field.

http://www.acumenfund.org/knowledge-center.html?document=310

2012-01-20T12:23:00.000-08:00

STARTING OF DRILLING AFTER RETURNING FROM HOLIDAY

We were in holiday from 17th December up to 4th January2012.On part of drilling we were not started soon because of some repair of drilling tools, changing and checking quality of our drillers for the job of 2012.
Other than that we have chosen two helpers to be apprentices for three month because they have been working as a helpers for more than a year now, so they will work as apprentices for three months again and when they finish this period of three month they can pass to be qualified drillers, if they will follow all instructions.
Because we are now fully equipped, we are at work again already started drilling from 18.01.2012.
We are drilling three different places at Ifakara, Msolwa on the way to send drillers here we have
three bore holes. Also drilling has started in Mlabani and Kikwawila.

Thanks.
Hashim Mtoi
Field Program Manager

Interesting links

2012-01-16T17:45:00.001-08:00

Aid economic expert blog posts.
http://www.owen.org/musings

Daraja in Southern Tanzania tells how it is:
http://blog.daraja.org/2011/12/rural-water-supply-in-tanzania-since.html#more

New Technology - solar water kiosks and solar lights

2012-01-16T17:31:00.000-08:00

I am heading over to Tz for the month of February. I will be taking back another skyhydrant water filter. The concept is to develop water/energy kiosks - locally owned and managed local business enterprises. The business will sell bottled quality water at wholesale rates, and also double as an energy hub for the recharging of mobile phones, and leasing/charging of home based lighting systems (such as lamps and batteries). MSABI will work with local entrepreneurs' who wish to purchase and manage a kiosk. Options will be provided for credit loans and ongoing business support provided. Based on research work conducted by Elvira Cadan and Santiago this year in Ifakara, we envisage the bottled quality water will sell for between 10-20c per (chilled) litre bottle to 5-10c/litre for 10-20L bulk containers.

The kiosk will utilise solar power to pump borehole to fill a header tank and then through a skydrant filter. Excess solar power will be used to charge mobile phones and other home based electrical appliances such as lighting systems.

The skyhydrant is an ultrafiltration (UF) filter that produces bottled water quality through an outside to inside PVDF (polyvinylidene Flouride) low pressure membrane. The membrane has a pore size of 0.04 micron - which is approximately 0.0004 of a hairs breadth. Basically the filter is a molecular sieve and removes all bacteria and between 2-3 log of viruses.

Thanks to the Skyjuice Foundation for their support:
http://www.skyjuice.com.au/skyhydrant.htm

The skyhdrant is packed and ready for Tz. The weight is 17kg - not bad considering it has the ability to produce around 1,000L/hr of bottled quality water. I will take as regular airline luggage.

I am very positive about the future direction of solar power and its potential to revolutionise rural Africa -similarly to how mobile phones have in the last decade. Solar power technology is improving and at the same time prices are dropping dramatically - mainly through mass production in China. Prices are coming down to an affordable level for poor rural households. For example, for between $100-200 a family can purchase a small solar system that provides enough power for home lighting and a few small appliances. The importance of light can not be under estimated in terms of improving and saving lives - and the environment. For example, with night light children have the opportunity to study - increase their knowledge and ability to move to higher education. Through night light, families will spend evenings inside their house, instead of with fire or kerosene lights outside - this will drastically reduce malaria rates (assuming screened housing)! With solar based lighting, families will ultimately save money (on consumable fuels) and help reduce the environmental burden on firewood and fossil fuel reliance!

As part of the energy kiosk we will look at offering rechargeable lamps for families who can not afford a home based solar system (at present) or do not have access to a solar supply chain. For example, at the moment the solar supply chain is very poor in rural Africa, and the technology is dated and prices very high. Through new web based forums/platforms such as Alibaba - clients in Africa have direct linkages to manufacturers in China. Suddenly, it is possible to facilitate the supply of home based solar systems for $100-200 instead of the same system which currently costs $500. There are many options. To test Alibaba I recently ordered 12x solar lamps. They cost $12 each and were delivered to my door in Australia in under a week!!! I plan to take them to Tanzania and test them out in a village context.

The biggest problem we have is human resources. To really drive these initiatives along we would really need the project to be driven by a dedicated volunteer and local field manager. We currently do not have the ability to put 100% into this at present - though it is something that we are planting the seeds for hopefully a future harvest. Further, I am consious of not out-competing or destroying (limited and expensive) supply chains - ie 2 stores in Ifakara sell some solar equipment. The best method will be to inform them and encourage them to trial new supply options - direct links to China.

The solar lamps I ordered from Alibaba direct. They arrived in under a week - much like an Ebay store - but direct to manufacturer. Such lamps have big potential for school children in rural African villages!
http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/104514580.html

I was a little dubious about the performance of the lamps. However, first impressions are very positive. The lamp provide ample light for study - these photos taken in my house. The next test is obviously in the field - to see how long the battery lasts, number of uses etc, and robustness of the lamp.

An example of the new and improved Alibaba. Pricing includes freight (to Australia):
http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?isFreeShip=y&SearchText=home+power+systems&CatId=0

Solar pump system (expect to pay at least $2000 in Tz):
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-gs/392183204-solar-water-pump-solar-borehole-pump-system-dc-pump-for-deep-well-free-shipping-5years-warranty-wholesalers.html

Cheers,
Dale.

All about waterpoints owned by "Groups"

2012-01-05T14:53:00.000-08:00

I have recently had a few questions related to what MSABI defines as a group in regards to our water point subsidy program. Further, why is it that our groups are successful in terms of management and upkeep of their water assets?

A group gets the highest subsidy. The pay TZS250,000 (USD200), and contribute bricks, sand, gravel, 6x persons labour, and food/accommodation for our drill team.

A group is more than one household (and or more than one family group) that come together to form a partnership. Generally we find the average number of households that come together is 5-7. They work out themselves how they will fund the borehole and source materials, labour and food. Intrinsically there is also a lot of discussions and planning that would go on prior to them deciding to go ahead - such things as "do we want to form a group with this or that family (do we trust them, are they reliable for funds, are their any family feuds), what funds do we need to raise and over what time frame do we all pool our resources, whose land will the borehole be on, how will we manage the asset, how will the group organise and manage any funds from selling water or for maintenance needs etc etc". This organic group formation is a key ingredient to success of the model - as it is a decision made by the village people (I would suggest this process takes months to sometimes more than a year to formulate and agree). It is not an enforced group and their is no enforced traditional NGO management model (ie your group must form a committee and have a chairman, secretary and treasurer). I think that is fundamental to the success of the models (communities (all people in general) dont like to be told what they must do and that they must work with such and such a person/s - they want the choice to decide). Most village people we work with know about water committees and how they manage their own water point is often left up to them. If they request assistance then MSABI provides additional training in the form of facilitating the design of a management model for that group.

We now have a preliminary assessment form that all water point applicants must fill in. The form is a first step and must be filled in prior to we do a site survey and after that if all ok will will offer a contract. It is a comprehensive questionare - some questions for example are - Who are the group members, Where will the water point be located, Distances to toilet/animals, All group members to sign agreement for location, describe how you will manage the water point (we offer a few example models including our insurance plan), describe how you will fund maintenance, describe how you plan to ensure the pump is cleaned and apron tidy, do you plan to sell water - if yes, how and for how much. etc etc.

A group must make the water available to everyone - it is in their contract. The water is not exclusively for the group owners. (This is the same for all 3-tiered subsidy systems). In the contract MSABI has the right to lock the pump if the water is not available to the community and/or if they are not cleaning and maintaining their pump (this cleaning point is a new inclusion - and we have had no complaints, actually groups seem welcome to this as it provides a firm written commitment for them to abide). However, the group has the right (and we encourage them) to charge for water usage. We recommend point of use sales - ie per bucket (avg rate is TZS30-50 up to 100 in dry season). It is up to the group how they decide to share their water. Some opt to share for free, almost all charge a fee. Often it is a monthly access rights fee (say TZS500 which is around 50c-$1).

Obviously there is a lot of communication between MSABI and the client (verbally and written) so that they are well aware of the process of obtaining a water point and the obligations and rights once it is installed. We also do training of 2 or more owners on rope pump maintenance, plus provide the pump pack which includes essential spares, tools and a pictorial manual.

Software focus - the latest industry trend

2012-01-05T14:48:00.000-08:00

I went to two international WASH conferences last year and there was a general consensus that there has been too much donor focus on implementing infrastructure and not enough on software (ie mgt of water points). duh - I mean this is logical and not rocket science. Why it has taken 20 years for the industry to work this out? It is a reflection on their dinosaur approaches and organisational structures. The focus is now shifting towards working with donors to obtain funds for long-term software management systems - see the focus is still about funds! The solution is not about funding - it is about working on the ground, listening to local communities and working with them day to day to find a tailored solution for them. This does not cost much money - as opposed to paying fat salaries for top down management approaches for foreigners who sit in air-con offices all day.

In rural Tanzania MSABI is really excited about the success and further potential for service delivery themed water businesses. What we are looking at growing is MSABI maintenance reps in each village. They earn money two-fold - 1) generating commissions from providing new water point and sanitation clients for the drilling/sanitation businesses. And 2), signing up these clients to a monthly insurance program - and or on call breakdown service. They are trained on full maintenance and provide a supply chain. This could be offered across all types of pump technologies. All water points are mapped and status updated by owner with SMS technology. This might be a part or full time job for each rep. Their skills could transfer to providing sanitation services too - such as purchase/collection of urine and compost to central depot and/or empty septic pits etc. All fun concepts to test if we can find the time and resources.

This is not a new concept, however it is customised to the local Tz context - and we will continue to iterate and be flexible in our approach until we have a model that works! Below is a link to a good news story regarding maintenance businesses in India:

OPINION | December 08, 2011
Fixes: Keeping the Water Flowing in Rural Villages
By TINA ROSENBERG
Water pumps and wells in the developing world often fall into disrepair. One program teaches villagers how to maintain them on their own.

At least the industry is coming together and talking about failure and coming up with some really cool and novel solutions. I am hopeful we are all moving somehow in the right direction. Though my cynical side says that for some organisations this is just the latest swing of the WASH fad funding pendulum.

Happy NY

2012-01-05T14:36:00.000-08:00

Happy NY.
The year ahead for MSABI looks very busy.
The team is back on deck. As well as all our existing intervention programs there are many additional tasks we are aiming to full-fill this year:

This year we aim to handover our drilling business to private ownership. Two of our drilling managers, Hashim and Maurus, will buy-out the equipment and contract to MSABI - essentially managing all aspects of water point installations. Tranisition will occur July 2012 - the start of drilling after the wet season. MSABI will assist with contract management, quality control and donor subsidies.
We will move to commercialisation of filter pots, and work towards private ownership and management of the filter pot business. The womens group will operate the manufacturing of pots and one of their sons plans to manage the business. MSABI will ensure quality control of pots through regular lab testing.
Our education programs will continue to roll-out through the Kilombero Valley, complimented by radio programs and our two drama teams.
We will work towards expanding our engineering and health research programs. EWB-UK have expressed interest in scaling up our engineering research activities. At present we are working on improving rope pump designs, guide blocks, iron/manganese removal, sanitary seal material selection, compost systems, and a solar powered water kiosk which will produce bottled quality water. Ifakara Health Institute are also keen to expand partnerships.
We will undertake our first WASH training program in August for EWB-UK. Details to follow in a later blog post.
We are really excited about our community management models - with strong emphasis on sustained business models. The main focus is our sms for water initiative that involves water point owners having the capacity to update the status of their water point through sms - which reports to a central live mapping repository. Further, a monthly insurance policy whereby owners pay a small fee in return for guaranteed spare parts and repair assistance.
We will put a large amount of energy into scaling our sanitation program with a market based approach.
All water points will be tested and water quality parameters logged.

A busy year ahead!
For myself, this year is looking a bit crazy with trips to Tanzania, Hawaii, Fiji, Solomons, Indonesia and possibly the US.

Cheers,
Dale

Western Failure and Local Ingenuity

2011-12-14T15:08:00.000-08:00

Two short movies that are very much worth watching:

Western Aid Failures:
http://www.ted.com/talks/david_damberger_what_happens_when_an_ngo_admits_failure.html?utm_source=newsletter_weekly_2011-12-14&utm_campaign=newsletter_weekly&utm_medium=email

and an example of local ingenuity and ownership:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ffu9hlOEo&feature=youtu.be

In reference to the top movie --> In reading the comments below the TED movie I found the following comment which partially reflects my thoughts:

"Thanks Dave for being honest and attempting to find a real solution. In your analysis of failure consider these three elements: System Engineering; Life cycle Planning; and, Ownership. I think your model was partly addressing the ownership part but it can’t be overemphasized. Whether it is NGO, GO, etc trying to achieve a goal if the people themselves don’t own it won’t work. I would never start a project without knowing “who” will own the operation of it."

I would also add that "Good Governence" is critical to longterm success in Africa - and this is currently a big failure of Africa. Also, fit for purpose, intimate local knowledge and engagement are equally important as part of a "recipe" for success. The viewer comments below David's TED video are worth a quick read and give a feel for the complexity and passion this topic evokes.

As for the second movie. Well it's just bloody amazing.
Cheers, Dale.

"Off-track and off-target"

2011-12-14T02:30:00.000-08:00

New report from Water-Aid:

http://www.wateraid.org/documents/off-track-off-target.pdf

Latest Filter Pot results

2011-12-12T17:57:00.000-08:00

Eston Yesaya is our new MSABi laboratory technician. He commenced in November and jumped straight to business performing analysis of a recent batch of filter pots. The results presented below are very promising. MSABI filter pots are on average removing 3.4 log of e.coli indicator bacteria. This is without silver application which we would expect would further improve the removal efficiency.

Eston Yesaya at work in the lab testing pots. Eston is MSABI's new laboratory technician.
The results indicate that the performance of the filter, in terms of bacterial removal, is not affected by the ammount of rice husk added. Rather, as also found in recent studies in Cambodia, the filter effectiveness is affected by the particle size distribution. The ammount of rice husk does impact on flowrate and pot strength - ie the more husk the greater the flowrate at the expense of pot strength.

We will now aim to test the same pots with silver application. Further, future research studies will focus on particle size distribution of rice husk and we also hope to investigate the impact of additional additives into the mix - including activated carbon, bone char, zeolite and laterite.

The filter pot project has been a long journey - but we are sure now we can consistently produce a product that offers a vast improvement in water qaulity compared with drinking untreated water sources. For example, the river water used below has counts in excess of 100,000 (10⁵) bacteria per 100ml of river water. Compare this to typical raw sewage data which has 10⁶-10⁸ counts (Metcalf and Eddy, 2004). Unfortuantley this river water is from the Lumemo River which runs through Ifakara and serves as both a toilet and drinking water source for many local residents. People are drinking the equivalent of raw sewage!!! The filter pot offers a simple tool for treating and improving the quality of such polluted water sources. We are aiming to have our filter pots ready for market in the first half of 2012.

Rural Water Supply Network meeting in kampala

2011-12-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

Fig 1: Opening plenary session

I had the opportunity to represent MSABI at the 6th RWSN conference in Kampala. The conference brought together around 500 participants in the water sector from all over the world both in government departments, donor agencies, and Non Governemental organisations for 3 days to the beautiful Commonwealth Speke resort on the lake shore of lake Victoria.

fig 2: ...a little bit of this and that

The conference sought to address the myths that have surrounded the rural supply sector and provide a forum where people can share experiences as to how they solved the same or different problems in their countries.
From plenary sessions to smaller parallel sessions, speaker after speaker highlighted the importance of tapping into the potential that communities have in terms of contributing to the capital costs of their water points, focus more on ensuring and working out the sustainability issues of the infrastructure put in place AND most importantly the continued provision of the services to the masses from infrastructure put in place.

fig 3: Parallel session on use of mapping tool in Liberia

Bushes and Bearings

2011-12-11T23:48:00.000-08:00

As you are aware our rope pumps are manufactured locally, all materials can be easily sourced from local markets. This has the advantage that repairs can be performed by local technicians, quickly and relatively cheaply.

Image of worn bushes, following extensive use.

The bushes on the rope pump hold the wheel axle to the frame. Metal wear is caused by the motion of the wheel turning, the bushings experience continuous dynamic forces and friction. On installing our pumps we give guidance on how to operate and maintain the pump, including the oiling of the bearings. However, over time they inevitably become warn and need replacement, see photo above.

Image of client retrofitted bearings.

Recently I visited a borehole in the field where a MSABI client had retrofitted their own bearing system onto the rope pump, this lead to a very smooth turn. It is very refreshing to see this innovation from a client. We are now looking at the costs of such bearings and the feasibilty of using the system on more pumps.

Kiran.

NOVEMBER MONTHLY REPORT - specific to USAID grant

2011-12-08T21:38:00.000-08:00

Report compiled by Naomi Ng’endo

USAID-funded project management:

Conducted two live radio shows.

1st topic comprised introduction to MSABI program by Mr. Ngakuka and Hashim Mtoi,
2nd topic provided an indepth look into the appropriate technologies adopted by MSABI in rope pumps and drilling by Hashim and Maurus, their suitability in Kilombero and an intro into the health risks imposed by the open wells, which is a stepping stone to the next radio topic on health and sanitation situation in Kilombero and the solutions (to be done by Naomi, Eston and 1 guest health specialist to be confirmed.)

Field Activites Conducted to Date

25 mobilization meetings and 2 wow visits. Encountered challenges with Idete village leaders who instituted a condition that any person having education forums with community should be accompanied by a village head representative with transport being covered by MSABI. Dialogue is still on-going. Santiago and Brown have moved to other areas first awaiting this to be solved.
30 community drama team meetings reaching so far 6,374 people and 80 school drama presentation reaching 30,116 school kids and teachers.

16 water points already completed. GPS and picture submitted to office for payments. Only water testing is remaining for these water points so as to complete Environmental Evaluation forms for submission to Winrock.
Remaining water points: 3 in Kikwawila contract nos 187,188 and 189-Surveyed by Maurus awaiting assignment of a drilling team.

Upcoming Tasks for the month of December/Januaury

Make 3rd Radio broadcast.
Perform water testing for installed water points once reagents arrive (currently going through customs and TRA at Dar airport) and complete the final water quality section of Winrock Environmental Evaluation Forms.

LATRINES PROJECT

Construction nearing completion at Mhelule Primary school. Has numerous challenges in terms of providing the required materials on time and payment of laborers by the village causing unnecessary delays.

To mitigate this, 20 additional potential schools in need of latrines as per priority list provided by Joseph from school education program have so far been contacted to prepare materials. Construction will be on a first-come-first-served basis for those fully prepared.

Upcoming Tasks for the month of December: Do private installations whose donations are pending allowing time for 1 more school to confirm (Total 3 for USAID first phase) and for all to fully prepare materials.

Rope Pump - Guide block development

2011-12-06T22:45:00.000-08:00

A crucial part of the rope pump design is the guide block. It guides the rope and pistons back into the rising main, sitting at the bottom of the borehole where water is drawn from the aquifer. The guide block must match various criteria, most importantly that it should minimise friction on the rope. Friction can significantly damage both the rope and, over time, the guide block itself.

An old guide block showing wear due to friction as the rope passes.

Coupling research and development with it's interventions MSABI is continously testing and refining it's products. The photo below shows the development over time of MSABI's guide block applications, developed against the following criteria: cost, friction/wear reduction, size, ease of insertion/removal etc.

The progression of MSABI guide blocks, oldest on the right to current on the left.

Along with the hardware aspects of rope pump installation MSABI takes time to educate the community/client to maintain and operate their borehole. The rope must not be too tight otherwise this will result in excessive friction at the guide block.

Kiran.

MSABI wins honour award at International Water Association Development Awards 2011

2011-12-06T17:23:00.000-08:00

Hi Dale here. I have just returned from a 2 week trip to Asia. The first half was spent in Kuala Lumpur where I attended the 2nd International Water Association Development Congress. The congress was attended by small and large organisations working on solving water and sanitation issues in developing countries. There were also awards presented and MSABI was honoured with one of two awards in the hardware water supply category.

We actually missed the official ceremony because we were getting a grand unofficial taxi tour of KL. Damn those taxi drivers! IWA president Glen Daiger presents a lovely glass award to me.

I gave a presentation at the KL congress.

KL appears to be a rich city with some amazing old and new architecture. Though the whole city vibe is rather sterile.

That is until the last night we discovered where we should have been spending more time. Street restaurants in KL. The stingray was a real surprise.

The view from my hotel room at KL was pretty sureal. Thanks to GHD for sponsoring the trip and to IWA for sponsoring our attendance and giving MSABI our award!

Second half of the trip to Cambodia to follow later.

2011-12-04T07:22:00.000-08:00

A REPORT ABOUT MATERIALS
PURCHASE

Iam Maurus working in Msabi project as the assistant field operations manager and
procurement manager.Iam talking about purchase of different materials used by
Msabi especially on the side of drilling .A person can ask him/her self why Msabi is purchasing things in Dar and not in Ifakara.
There are two things which made Msabi not to do so, first thing is about availability of materials needed, secondly is about the price and standards of materials needed.Forexample pvc pipes 4”class b&c in Ifakara is not easy to find them ,so if one finds is difficult to purchase compared to Dar.The real example 3”pvc pipe class b in Dar is sold for 32,000Tzs but in Ifakara is about 45,000tzs .For this case it is better to do it in Dar because the gap between these places is big, so for a normal business man can not afford .Though Dar is far away from Ifakara ,still
Msabi can purchase many materials for little amount of money.

Regards,
Maurus

Latrine construction at Mhelule Primary School

2011-11-20T11:39:00.001-08:00

Like many schools in the Kilombero Valley, Mhelule Primary School in Mang’ula has hundreds of children and only a handful of latrines. There are 688 students sharing only 2 girls’ toilets and 2 boys’ toilets, a ratio of 172 children per latrine. The latrine block consists of simple pit latrines about 4m deep.

MSABI is currently constructing a new latrine block at Mhelule Primary School. The latrine block being constructed will direct wastewater to a septic tank, and effluent from the septic tank to a mound drainage field. The drainage field treats the microbes in the effluent, and is required to be constructed within an above ground sand mound due the presence of a shallow clay layer at the school. Constructing this system rather than a deep pit latrine reduces the likelihood of microbes entering the aquifer below and contaminating the groundwater which is used for drinking.

Mhelule Primary School signs the contract for latrine construction by MSABI

About 10.30pm one night about two weeks ago, Naomi, Stan and I arrived by truck at Mhelule Primary School. The truck was packed full of construction materials and equipment for the project which we brought from Ifakara. The school is located approximately 50km from Ifakara (1.5 – 2hour drive on bumpy, dusty roads), and around 15km from the main road and nearest guesthouse. As part of the conditions for latrine construction, the school is required to provide accomodation for MSABI staff, and so Naomi and I were allocated a small storeroom next to a classroom. We had come equipped with sleeping mats which we laid on the floor, unfortunately later in the night I woke up to lots of little mice running around the room as well as buzzing mosquitoes. When morning finally came and we emerged from the storeroom we were facing a large group of students astonished to find 2 strangers had been sleeping in the storeroom and we received a lot of attention for the rest of the day.

Students outside our storeroom

During the day Stan, our head fundi (Swahili word which seems to be used for any tradesman), and our helpers set out pegs to mark out the structures’ footprint, and commenced excavating for foundations.

Running through the latrine design with teachers, fundi Stan and community helpers

This week the team has made good progress despite a few setbacks, such as the community helpers only contributing 2 hours of labour per day, and unsatisfactory sand (schools are required to provide helpers and some basic materials). Replacement sand arrived last Thursday, which about 50 students, at the direction of teachers, helped carry through the school in buckets on their heads, and the school hired 2 full time helpers to assist. The substructure of the latrine block was completed and the floor slabs were cured satisfactorily (although one now has some goat hoofprints imprinted on the surface), and were ready to be lifted by a team of 50 people on Friday. Construction of the septic tanks was well underway, and construction is expected to be completed within a week.

Students assist bringing sand to the construction site

The latrine block foundations and sub-structure

Students assist bringing bricks to site

New payment systems in Tanzania via cellular phones

2011-11-20T00:54:00.000-08:00

Hi every body!
Once again have discovered new cell phones payment system in Tanzania that helps transfer o f cash to various parts of the country even if it is a remote area. A person will just be requiered to be registered from the respective network provider and start using the service. There are three new cash transfer systems namely MPESA, TIGO PESA and AIRTEL MONEY.
So as to get use the services first you need to be registered to a respective network provider and request to deposit hard cash into your account. The hard cash will now be converted into electronic money where you can be able to transfer money from your sim card to another person but he/she must belong in the same network provider say MPESA TO MPESA in terms of Vodacome.

My close follow up has discovered that a great Tanzanian population is now very much interested in using these services since it helped to reduce and minimize the queuing problems at the bank counters waiting either for withdrawal of deposit of their cash. In average for most popular banks inTanzania it takes more than an hour to get services at the counter while it takes less than 15 minutes to load or withdrawal cash at agent of MPESA/TIGO PESA/ AIRTEL MONEY. This is a great improvement over the Tanzanian cash transfer systems because it real saves time that one had to queue at the bank counter. Another advantage is that, these services have provided business opportunity to many Tanzanians operating as agents and there are numerous agents all over the country even in the remote areas where there are no access of banks making it easy for deposits and withdrawal of money.

Despite of above good advantages these services are limited to the following:-
Tanzania is net wholly covered by these network hence there some places cannot access these services. And sometimes places with network can be overloaded due to number of user and hence customers can't be able to access these services.
The services are also limited to amount transferable between one person and another. The maximum amount to (1000,000 tsh) equivalent to USD 598.8 a day.

Also the fee chargeable for every transfer is higher than if one could make internal bank transfer which are free provided they belong to the same bank say CRDB to CRDB. Take an example of paying 10 employees with an average wage of 200,000 tsh (USD 116.9591) that sums to 2000,000 tsh (USD 1169.5906), if MSABI will write one cheque and the bank transfers direct into the respective employees accounts then the processing fee is 1500tsh (USD 0.8772) per employee equals to 15,000 tsh(USD 8.772) for ten employee. While if the could be done through MPESA/ TIGO PESA/ AIRTEL MONEY transfer then MSABI is supposed to pay 3000tsh (USD 1.7544) to network service p0rovider and additional of 200tsh (USD 0.1169) to an agent that sums to 3,200tsh (USD 1.8713) for every 200,000 tsh (USD 116.9591) transfer, then for 10 employee sums 32,000 tsh (USD18.71345) which is 17,000tsh (USD 9.9415) higher than bank transfer.

(NOTE: Prior to contractual agreement between a customer (sim card holder) and network provider at the central office can grant deposit and withdrawal limit over and above 1mil tsh depending to your needs but normal the maximum limit is 1 mil to an rational client.)

From five drillers asked by MSABI accountant 4 (80%)proposed that making transfer directly into their bank account is better than other cash transfer method because that shall build better behavior of saving money and mold their spending behavior. One (20%) said it better for him to receive his money by TIGO PESA because it is easier for him to withdrawal money at any agent available in the Kilombero valley than coming to Ifakara where the banks are available.

From the above simple analysis i advice we keep paying MSABI staff directly to their bank accounts since it cheap and majority likes the system,MPESA/ TIGO PESA/ AIRTEL MONEY should just be used when urgent and special need arise.

Cheers
Hija.

MSABI car accident

2011-11-14T22:59:00.000-08:00

Hi Dale here. Recently I received an awful phone call in the middle of the night to say that our MSABI vehicle had been involved in an accident. Luckily, our driver, Santiago, escaped a very serious accident relatively unharmed. Unfortunately the vehicle was a write-off. Below is a very interesting, detailed and colourful account of the incident from one of our staff members. We have since managed to sell the wreck for TZS4.5million ($3000), which is not too bad considering we only paid TZS 8 million ($5300) for the car. This accident is a timely reminder of the dangerous work environments that we operate in Tanzania. Sadly these types of road accidents happen regularly. The drivers at fault did not stop and hence we do not have any claim for recompense. To rub salt into the wound the police made it clear they would take our driver to court for "trying to commit suicide" unless we paid them a TZS 200,000 ($150) release fee.

So now we have no vehicle for the project which makes it rather difficult to manage our expanding field activities. We have purchased a new project motorbike which helps. If and when we find funding for a new vehicle (of significant value) we will be sure to ensure it has full comprehensive insurance.
Cheers,
Dale.

MSABI CAR ACCIDENT 4TH NOV 2011

First I would like to express my sincere thanks to God for saving Selemani Kinana (MSABI driver a.ka. Santiago) in a dangerous accident occurred at Mikumi 300mtrs from a famous hotel in partnership between Tanzania and Swiss called Tanswiss. Santiago was in a normal average speed of 60-70 km/hr driving behind Big bus (Moro best that was heading to Morogoro, but in front there was a big truck coming where there was a Toyota land cruiser behind it. The land cruiser was trying to overtake the big truck but it hesitated after seeing a big bus coming, just after passing of the bus the land cruiser came direct to overtake the big truck without noticing the another land cruiser (MSABI car) was coming, then the driver had no alternative of going back to his position as long as his space was already occupied by a big truck and the front way Santiago was coming. Therefore Santiago had to drive in a reserved road trying to escape face-to-face hit with that land cruiser. But in the served road there was a big bump where the front right wheel hit and caused the car to slide and loose direction, that made it to go out of the road holding the same speed and the same level of the road where it hit the tree. Just after the car hitting the tree Santiago found himself out of the car and felt down heavily. Then the car felt down just near to him and overturned three times. Santiago lost memories from there and it took him a couple of minutes almost half an hour later to get memories back and found himself ok.

The first thing he called Hija, MSABI accountant, and he called his Dad. His Dad got some relatives living in Mikumi and notified them quickly to trace the place where the accident occurred. Hija notified other MSABI officials and employees to arrange for new transport to Mikumi to rescue Santiago and bring the car to Mikumi National park picking MSABI program Manager’s parents.

His relatives tried to get to the accident place early before gangster people arrived. Usually in Tanzania when the accident occurs and gangster gets earlier than the police or any good people then many things if not the whole vehicle will get stolen in just few minutes.

They took Santiago to the hospital (St. Kizito, Mikumi) and called a pickup to pull our car to police station but it failed and the back pumper of the pickup got off. His relatives arranged for getting fundi to make the car wheels move because it was totally impossible to move the car even one meter and organize a tractor to pull the car to police station. There was much higher risk driving the car to the police station because the road was much populated and busy with speed cars.

Santiago did not felt much pains soon after the accident but as time gets on pains increased on his right hand wrist and back of his head where he hit the ground after being thrown away by a car. The doctor examined him and took x rays of his wrist and the back of his head. To keep down the hard pains he had a doctor gave him christapen injection and vallium where he got a very deep sleep. Nik, Nik’s parents and Hija arrived at the St. Kizito hospital Mikumi later in afternoon and met antiago with a deep sleep where he failed to recognize us though I tried to call him with a nick name ‘ Shekh Kindasi’ and sense it with deep sleepy. Hija and his relative went back to the police post and negotiated to meet them the next day. Hija went to the hospital back and met Santiago ready get out from that deep sleep. He asked him what kind of food he would like to eat and mentioned wali nyama. I bought wali nyama and bring back to the hospital and stayed outside the patients rooms where he had his lunch/dinner because he hadn’t taken anything since morning. Hija stayed with Santiago at the hospital until 21hrs and left him resting.

The next day Hija went to St. Kizito hospital and saw Santiago doing more fine than yesterday and waited to the doctor’s visit. But due to power cuts problems the first head x ray didn’t appear good and suggested to take another one. In the afternoon the doctor passed on our bed and discharged him recommending that he is fine, it was just a shock and normal pains. He gave him paracetamol and vitamin B complex. Thereafter we gone to the cashier office and paid the bill.

Hija had a negotiations with the Police station Officer and Vehicle inspector general at Mikumi where they suggested that instead of filling a traffic case that could be much expensive and time consuming we pay 210,000/=. After a discussion with MSABI Administrator (Samson) and Drilling supervisor (Hashim) they suggested that we pay this sum and take our car to a safety place.

Introduction of MSABI new staff: Eston

2011-11-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

My name is Eston Yesaya, I am the new MSABI Laboratory
Technician. I pursued a bachelor degree of Food Science and Technology at Sokoine University of Agriculture.
Consumer Safety is of great importance in this world
of different technological innovations in various fields including the Food Industry.

MSABI has come up with a simple and environmentally friendly innovation, the filter pots that ensures the health of people is not compromised from enteric pathogenic bacteria particularly the E. coli and Coli forms.
Furthermore MSABI constructs water bore holes with a
rope pump at relatively low costs and at high efficiency for pumping water. Raw water from different bore holes is microbiologically and chemically examined and subjected to the filter pots. Filtrates are analysed and the ability of the pots to purify water proved. Previous work determine the efficiency of removing bacteria to be at percentages of about 99.9%. Being the new employee, my wish is to see the plans and goals of the organisation, which are typically bound in provision of safe drinking water and sanitation to the people of Ifakara, are attained. People should trust MSABI since the organisation posses essential resources with well equipped personnel to run all activities at a professional level. It is my hope that MSABI shall become the centre of Excellency, thus increasing its vision towards being a strong and influential NGO in the world.

District Government Meeting

2011-11-11T16:28:00.000-08:00

Recently, MSABI held a large meeting with representatives from the local Kilombero District government.

The local ward councillors, council’s heads of department and representatives of the Kilombero district were present. Three members of the Tanzanian government were also attended the meeting.

MSABI provided an overview of our progress and future plans for the District. The team also explained and demonstrated all different techniques used in the different subprograms and explained the beneficial impacts of the programs through improving health of the local population and by creating local employment and stimulating the local economy.

The government representatives agreed to improve collaboration with MSABI in the near future. The participants also showed interest in the development of the additional departments of research and teaching and training, in collaboration with local and international partners.

MSABI will present a proposal to the local government for improved collaboration and assistance in 2012.

Kilombero Council assembly present for MSABI workshop

MSABI presentation

(L) Chairman Ramadhani Kiombile of the Kilombero Council and (R) Member for Parliament Mr Abdul Mteketa

MSABI board member mzee Benedict Ngakuka

A Councillor contributing to the meeting

MSABI assistant program manager Naomi N'gendo presents to the members

Introduction of MSABI staff: Chitalika

2011-11-05T00:15:00.000-07:00

My name is Samson Chitalika.

I am the Administrator currently working with MSABI. I graduated with a bachelor
degree in Political Science and Public Administration. I am working closely
with top management, line managers as well as other MSABI employees to ensure
successful progresses of programs that are dedicated to help the community.
I provide administrative support to the project management team to ensure smooth implementation of various programs under MSABI. My desire is to see MSABI becoming the leading NGO in Tanzania and the
world in general.

Regards,
Samson

MSABI movie launched

2011-10-31T00:59:00.000-07:00

MSABI has a new promotional movie. I hope you like it!

http://vimeo.com/30532623

Also you can see one or our rope pumps in action at:
http://vimeo.com/30532623

Setting Rope Pump Standards In Tanzania

2011-10-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

My name is Hashim Mtoi. I’m working at Msabi as Field Program Manager in the rope pump and drilling programme.

Last week MSABI went to Morogoro to attend a meeting for Rope Pump standards in Tanzania. We set up minimum and preferred standards for all elements of rope pump manufacture and borehole construction. Two of us from MSABI attended, myself and Kiran Gowda who is civil engineering volunteer from the Engineers Without Borders.

There were several NGOs attending this meeting including MSABI, iWASH and SHIPO. The meeting was conducted by Henk Holstag (Smart Tech Against Poverty) and Kees Vogt (iWASH).

The aim of this meeting was to plan how can we make the Rope Pump to be more sustainable and for life. The meeting agreed that we have to maintain the existing quality standards of our pumps but also make improvements. We will therefore be testing new cover designs in the coming months along with our ongoing research into guideblock designs, sanitary seal placement and soak pits. Indeed the meeting covered all these areas, and provided several items of action research. MSABI appears to be well placed to use it’s interventions to test and develop the product.

Thanks.

Hashim.

MSABI meeting minutes

2011-10-09T02:52:00.000-07:00

I often feel that the large amount of work that the MSABI does week in and week out on the ground in Tanzania is little understood. I thought it would be an interesting idea to post minutes from a typical weekly MSABI meeting. Cheers, Dale.

STARTING TIME 8:30 AM

ATTENDANTS:

DR. NIKLAUS HOLBRO, NAOMI NGE’NDO, SAMSONI CHITALIKA, HIJA CHOYO, CHRISTINA MSAHALA, MAURUSI SAMBAKALI,BRUNO SANGA, SELEMANI KINANA, KIRANI GODWA, ELVIRA CADAN.

ABSENT WITH APOLOGOGY

HASHIM MTOI, MARRIE KERRY.

AGENDA:

WEEKLY MSABI PROGRESS AND ACTIVITIES

The meeting started as follows:-

HIJA:

· He has done the actual costs of the project for the months of January to August, and has ascertained good estimates for September where he is now on the way scanning the receipts and charges them to the respective subproject. He went on saying that he has done cost estimates for the upcoming ten months starting on Oct 2011 to July 2012.

· He has also suggested that for tuktuk registration cards should be followed to Dar es Salaam. He has already communicated to the tuktuk dealers where they said MSABI has to bring to them an original of the TIN, and the registration numbers of the two tuktuk.

· In connection to that he has communicated to Real Insurance for the workers’ insurance.

SANTIAGO;

· He is working with community drama team training

· He is working to get the phone numbers of the sub village chairman for community drama timetable schedule.

· To follow DFP plates and tuktuk registration cards to Morogoro and in Dar es salaam.

· Trip to Ruaha National Park where the MSABI car is rented and he will come back on Tuesday.

BRUNO:

· In pottery they still working with their own activities.

· He is making a new design small guide block

· He is preparing pump pack and after finishing, he submits to Hashimu and Maurusi to bring them to the clients at the time of opening a borehole and training.

· He surveyed 113 out of 130 water points and plans to proceed with other 17 left

· He showed Samson pottery and how are the filter pots being made.

· He planned to go to Kiyongwile primary school to fix the broken and stacked guide block.

CHRISTINA:

· She is scanning the installation and drilling log to create saved data for each borehole.

· Receiving client explain them various categories of our services and giving them application forms for boreholes and bring them at the meeting for discussion and approval. Then she calls back the clients telling them whether they have been accepted or rejected to get the applied service.

· Doing other clerical work as a secretary.

KIRANI:

· He is doing movie with Ueli about MSABI .

· Sanitary seal, good designing of sanitary seal.

· He want to sit with Bruno and listing out big guide block

· He wanted to know about installation record so that he sits with Maurusi and ask about it.

MAURUSI:

· Planned to call a guy in Dar whether we can get small ceramic guide block which is convenient to MSABI

· John has come with a guide design of guide block made of iron

· He went to Sululu for survey and he has advised that a borehole should be drilled 50 m away from the school according to the results obtained from GM machine.

· Last month’s boreholes done are (3 Ifakara both TBL, 2 Mbingu- TBL and US AID, 2 Mofu for TRAIL FAMILY and USAID)

SAMSON:

· He went in the pottery and saw how pots are being made

· He saw the machines working how it produces a pots, it was very funny to him and liked it.

· He saw how the temperatures are changed to get the standard temperature in the kiln.

· Also saw how water is being filtered by the pots made by MSABI.

· He went to see how drilling is made and saw the finalizing stage of the boreholes but he real wanted to see how the initial stages of drilling are.

NAOMI:

· She went to Namawala where one private latrine is being built and left Stanslaus and Peter working.

· She is waiting the school in Mngeta to prepared materials up to next Wednesday, if they fail till that day they will move to other school probalbly Mhelule in Mang’ula or Ngai in Mngeta

ELVIRA:

· She went to Madukani primary school to make negotiation for the Sky hydrant and water kiosk but the head teacher didn’t show good response, but if same situation will persist then they will to check other schools, proposed to be Mbasa or Mrabani both in Ifakara.

NIKLAUS:

· He said that MSABI expect to get new office in Tanzania Training Centre for International Health (TTCIH).

· He proposed that we organize our hard files again and check what we need to keep and move to the new office and trash unwanted so as to remove the mess prevailing at the moment.

CONCLUSION:

The meeting was closed at 10:15 am and members disbursed to their respective working station promising to do their targeted objectives of the week.

Drilling News

2011-10-09T02:48:00.001-07:00

DRILLING: FINISHED

IFAKARA

All boreholes done are semi private

· Mr Ngasoma TBL (Kining’ina) Project # 172

· Mr Daniel Simon TBL (Mrabani) Project # 173

· Mr Soka TBL (Viwanja sitini) Project # 184

MOFU:

· Mofu 1 Pacific Rotary Project #145 Community

· Mofu 2 Traill Family Project #146 Community

MBINGU

· Hamad Nzeba TBL #104, Community borehole

· Claudi Mvaambali US AID # 185, Community borehole

MANG’ULA

· Ahmad Myande Project TBL #170 Community

· Salum Ngajua TBL Project TBL #171Commuinty

· Msikiti Mhelule US AID #174 Community

· Salum Mgombere US AID #169 Community

ULANGA

· Iragua Project KVTC # 179 (Only 25 metres out of 30 planned but enough water)

· Mafinji Project KVTC #180 Fail (drilled only 17 meters and no water_

CURRENT WORKING

· Chita- Amanzi and Nasibu Project #190(Community borehole)USAID

· Mofu –Haji and Mkechi Project #147 (Commuinty borehole) USAID

PLANNED THIS WEEK & NEXT WEEK

· Mangula- Ngila and Erasto Project#175 USAID- Going tommorrow

· Sululu- Petro and Cletus Project # 164 IHI- Probably next week (Waiting info from Nik)

· Kidugalo-Helman and Thomas project #181 KVTC (Probably next week, waiting approval from Leon)

Filter Pot news

2011-10-05T03:53:00.000-07:00

Michael Vanek, a friend of mine who is working for Katadyn (Swiss company producing ceramic filters and new MSABI partner), visited MSABI for about 3 weeks. Michael was head of research at Katadyn and volunteered to come to Ifakara and help push forward the filter pot project and our water testing procedures. Swiss TPH kindly sponsored his travelexpenses from Switzerland. Michael was very helpful and MSABI was very pleased to have him here.

He was involved in setting up our standards for watertesting procedures. He also tested 20 pots and the results were very promising. We get an average bacterial removal efficiencyof 98.5 %, with a range between 95 and 100%. However, the flow rate of the newly produced pots is pretty low, with an average flow rate of 1 l/h.

We are waiting for the next batch for more testing and confirmation of the results.
Unfortunately we have problems with the pyrometer (devicefor measuring temperature in the kiln), the display is defective and we are currently waiting for a replacement from Europe to precisely measure the firing profiles. This could strongly influence filter pot quality and variability inmeasured parameters.

We are also in the process of hiring a lab technician to routinely test efficiency and perform research on improving quality of pots.There is a huge potential for doing high quality research working on the development of filter pots (once we have a working prototype). Such research ideas include trying to include new materials (such as activated carbon), and doing field research on analysing community uptake, problems and challenges.

For now the goal is still to get a highly effective filterpot with a relatively high flow rate in the coming few months and I think theresults gathered by Michael look very promising.

Cheers, Nik.

Michael Vanek testing pots in the IHI lab

MSABI filter pots

Raw water samples were collected from the local Lumemo River.

Government meetings and support

2011-10-05T01:57:00.000-07:00

It is nice to see that the Tanzanian Government is engaging and supporting MSABI services. Two prominant local leaders who we have recently presented our program to include the National MP for Kilombero Valley, Honourable Abdul Mkeketa and the Chairman for the Kilombero District Council Mr Ramadhani Kiombile. Both leaders have pledged their support to the MSABI program. MSABI is growing and gaining strong support from the community and within Government. MSABI was recently mentioned and discussed in the National Tanzanian Parliament during discussion on the annual water budget. We will continue to work towards strengthening our partnership with the Tanzanian Government. We are hopeful that the Kilombero Council will provide funding for the subsidy gap for new water points and sanitation. This would lead to fully funded water and sanitation programs by Tanzanians - from community and government contributions.

MSABI Engineer and Assistant Program Manager Naomi N'gendo, Honourable MP Abdul Mteketa and myself (Dale Young)

MSABI Program Manager Dr Nik Holbro, Kilombero Chairman Mr Ramadhani Kiombile, and myself (Dale Young)

MSABI at the Dar Es Salaam Goat Races

2011-10-04T23:02:00.000-07:00

Recently MSABI representatives attended the 11th Dar Es Salaam Goat Races. The event offers a good opportunity to showcase MSABI's work to Tanzanian businesses and residents. The Goat Races have also provided funding for our community water kiosk project currently being developed by volunteer water engineer Elvira Caden.

Maurus, Bruno and Kiran traveled to Dar equipped with working models and full size examples of the rope pumps, leaflets and the latest filter pot designs.

MSABI's 2011 report was presented to attendees on a hot day where enthusiasm was shown from a diverse audience. Interest in the filter pot suggested that once our development/testing of this affordable household filter is complete it should be a popular product.

To read more about our interventions go to www.msabi.org

Thank you,

Maurus, Bruno and Kiran

Status of split system compost latrines one month after changing sides

2011-10-03T06:21:00.000-07:00

A visit was conducted to Namawala village on Friday last week to check the progress of the 2 eco san latrines we decommissioned in August. Latrine #4, whose contents had been relatively dry during the decommissioning exercise showed good compost maturation.

However, the contents of latrine #10 were still soggy even after mixing in the rice husk last month and sampling was postponed till next month. Re- training of the users of this particular latrine is set to be done to encourage correct usage of the other side tank.

Changing over of tank side of Eco-San latrines

2011-10-03T06:04:00.000-07:00

This exercise was conducted on latrine numbers 4 and 10 in Namawala village. These latrines were constructed in may and june 2010 and currently have 6 and 15 users respectively. The primary activity in decommissioning the used tank in latrine #4 involved incinerating dry rice husk spread over the feaces as a way of sterilization. The conditions in the collection tank were sufficiently dry to enable this. However, burning had to be done twice before the rice husks combusted fully.

Activity in latrine # 10 comprised mixing in the rice husk shell as the conditions in the tank were very soggy. No burning of rice husks was done in this case.

An observation made was for the compost chambers it is advantageous to have unlined inner walls and an earthern floor. This allows entry of worms and ants whose action on the feaces enhances its transformation to compost. Latrine number 4 had a thin layer of soil over the feaces and a thriving ant colony in the pit. Latrine number 10 had several worms whose habitat was in the joints of the brick lined walls of the pit.

My first blog entry

2011-09-21T00:26:00.001-07:00

My name is Hashim Mtoi.
I'm working at Msabi, my position is Field Program Manager. Basically my job is to check the quality of the job at the field and training the staff on new technology I introduce.
As for drilling, it is the job which needs more and more supervision especially at the day of casing and sanitary seal placement which protects the clean water.
The coming month my plan is to bring another type of pump guide block.

My blogger training

2011-09-21T00:26:00.000-07:00

Its a real adventure for me today having my first blogger entry with brother Dimitri. It's fantastic.
I encourage my fellow Tanzanians to take part in the blog entry session, as well I will try to spare my time training them because now I know how to post a blog entry.
Hey Wabongo welcome.........!
Its Hija Choyo MSABI cash and accounting manager.

Pottery Innovation

2011-08-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

The pottery team have invented a unique way to stack pots for firing in the kiln. Since modifying the kiln design the quality of pots has improved significantly, however the changes reduced the available volume for stacking pots. Pictured below are the rectangular blocks we will trial in the next firing. The blocks allow the pots to be stacked on top of each other. Previously we had stacked the pots end on end. It is hoped this innovation will increase the number of pots for each firing and thus result in savings in the cost of production.

World Vision Visit

2011-08-30T07:36:00.000-07:00

The World Vision Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) team from Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania spent a week with MSABI learning about our program. World Vision is considering piloting similar programs and came on a fact finding mission to learn how they could adapt elements of our program to suit the requirements for their larger NGO. The team had a very intensive few days involving technical theory of the technologies we use, site visits of IHI and the TTCIH training centre, field visits of our pumps and latrines, pottery project, drama team, and visits to the local pump manufacturing fabricator and drill teams. Some great discussions were held regarding program model design – how to replicate and scale – and the challenges faced by small versus large NGOs.

MSABI and World Vision team. From left, Chim, Dale, Naomi, John, Innocent, Godfrey, Nik and WV driver

Innocent and Godfrey from World Vision inspect and discuss a local water point in Kibioni. On the same day MSABI commenced drilling a community funded borehole just 100m from this point. We hope that we replace this water point as the primary source of drinking water in this area.

World Vision manager Chim attempts to draw water from the shallow open well. The water was very turbid (dirty) and poses a risk to health and also to persons who may fall into the hole whilst drawing water.

Dale (checkered shirt) explains the design behind the Idete Primary School wastewater treatment system to World Vision staff

2nd Annual Pump Survey

2011-08-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

MSABI has completed its second annual pump survey. The details of the results have yet to be fully analysed – however their are some quite obvious results worth sharing early. Basically, any pump privately owned is operational. Two pumps that are not working are communal pumps that MSABI replaced an existing broken pump and put on a rope pump – one does not have adequate water, the other has a dysfunctional communal management system. We are also seeing some cracks in management systems where infrastructure is largely provided free and their is no direct personal ownership – for example the maintenance and management of MSABI pumps owned by schools varies between good and bad. We are working on subscription maintenance systems for schools and other clients who request that service – ie pay $3 per month and MSABI will provide maintenance and guarantee spares – we don’t want to create dependence on MSABI, rather another local business opportunity. Other things we will look to improve is our supply chain for spare parts – more an awareness issue of where parts can be located. And also ensuring adequate training is provided to new owners of boreholes/pumps. An overview of pumps that are two years old has found all are still working and in good order, however their appearance is far from sexy. The main part that needs replacing is the rope. The new ceramic guide block design will ensure the life of rope will increase significantly (>1 year) compared to the original galvanised steel pipe guides (3-12 month rope life). The mild steel painted hood on two year old pumps is often found rusting and in a poor state – and really this hood serves no function other than initial aesthetics – we would like to work on looking at material replacement (eg aluminium or moulded plastic) or a change in pump design. The other main complaint is the cleanliness of pumps. Quite a few pumps have algae/mould growing on the parts that are contacted with water – such as the wheel. Its hard to understand why people do not bother to clean their pumps.

An example of a poorly cleaned pump and rusting hood. IMO the hoods main purpose is aesthetics, but after 2 years they look terrible.

After 2-years some pumps do not look sexy but they are working and are able to be repaired when there are problems (such as rope breaking)

Cracked drain. We were taught this building technique from another NGO who assured it was strong and long lasting. Basicallyit is a v-drain made from bricks and concrete plaster. We have found this design and construction techique inadequate. We have changed the construction to a solid concrete channel which I will detail in a forthcoming post.

The Safe Water Kiosk – Setting up a small water business in Ifakara

2011-08-28T03:23:00.001-07:00

Over the last few weeks we have been doing some investigations into the feasibility of setting up a Safe Water Kiosk to sell affordable, high quality treated water in Ifakara township, using a Sky Hydrant donated by The Sky Juice Foundation.

The Sky Hydrant is an Ultra-Filtration unit designed to be used in developing countries. It operates under low pressure (2-4m head) and will remove bacteria, protozoa and significantly reduce virus levels in water.

The idea is to use it set up a Safe Water Kiosk which treats and sells water to the community at an affordable price. The aim is to turn it into a business opportunity for residents, creating ownership of the Sky Hydrant, cover the costs of set-up, operation and maintenance, while at the same time making treated drinking water more affordable to the community.

Arriving from Melbourne, Australia, Ifakara has been an eye-opener. It is a large town with a rapidly increasing population. Only about 10% of the population have reticulated water from Council tanks and there is no reticulated sewer. Many latrines consist of just a deep pit covered by a slab and shelter. Before I came here I thought that the boreholes and rope pumps were for the surrounding small villages, but that a large town like Ifakara would have a water supply network. However, during our investigations we’ve found that collecting water is a big part of everyday life here even in town, and many people have turned it into a business. Many of the 500 or so houses connected to the Council supply onsell their water to nearby residents who come and buy their water by the bucket. The Council tanks often run dry as the capacity of the pumps and tanks is well below today’s demand. When this happens residents living near the river collect drinking water straight from the river. I have not found anyone yet who boils their water before drinking it. Other residents with no water supply use community handpumps, many of which are in shallow boreholes and at risk of contamination by the many latrines. More are now using MSABI pumps as these are constructed, which are deeper and on average have better quality water.

Below: Photo shows privately owned water point where a resident connected to the council supply on-sells water to surrounding residents by the bucket.

Bottled water is also available for purchase but is relatively expensive compared to buying by the bucket (around Tsh500 for a 1L bottle, or US30 cents). Some shop owners collect untreated water from community pumps and refill water bottles and sell this water chilled for Tsh100. We found even a local Mosque, which received a tank and electric pump as a donation from an overseas Islamic Association has turned waterinto a small business, selling untreated water for Tsh10 per glass.

For the Safe Water Kiosk we plan to sell water by the bucket, or in refillable bottles and drums. Bottles are expensive to purchase and would push up the purchase price of the water. Bottles, caps and labels alone would cost around Tsh160 (approximately US10 cents) per 1L bottle. This is a lot of money when many households currently pay a maximum Tsh30 – Tsh50 (US2.5 cents) for a 20L bucket, and may earn around US$2 per day. Local residents we spoke to near the river, one of the areas worse affected during cholera outbreaks, said they would be unable to pay more than Tsh100 – Tsh200 for a bucket of treated drinking water.

MSABI has identified Madukani Primary School as a good location to trial the business. Whilst MSABI has constructed a 22m borehole and ropepump in the school grounds, the water may still be a risk to health. Testing has found low levels of E. Coli, nitrate and phosphate in the water. This could be due to the very deep pit latrines located within the school grounds, and the fact that it is in a very high density location. School children drink from this pump every day. The surrounding community also collects water from this pump.

Below: Photo shows existing rope pump within school grounds

The idea is to install the Sky Hydrant at the school providing free treated drinking for students, and a Safe Water Kiosk out the front on the main street. We have met with the head teacher and the school committee and they are excited about the proposal, with clean water for the students and the opportunity to create an income stream for the school. The school is located close to the Lumemo River, where people are currently collecting drinking water and one of the Council tanks which often runs dry. Hopefully these people will become customers of the Safe Water Kiosk to purchase drinking waters for their families.

Over the next few weeks we will install a temporary tank stand and tank at Madukani Primary School to trial the business.

For more information on Sky Hydrants visit www.skyjuice.com.au.

Below: Children at Madukani Primary School learn about hygiene during a MSABI drama group performance

Idete Latrine System Receives a Make-over

2011-08-27T08:45:00.000-07:00

As an expansion of our education program our team decided to have a mural painted on the Idete Primary School Latrines. The theme of the mural is a pictorial story following a child who finds that other children do not want to eat or play with them if they do not wear shoes or wash their hands with soap after going to the latrine. The story was designed by MSABI and local artist Saidi who is pictured below. We also put a lick of blue paint on the latrine doors and the final results have really lifted the presentation of the latrine building.

Local artist Saidi painting an education hygiene mural for the children at Idete Primary School.

Children gather to watch the action. Behind the mural wall you see the blue ring band of paint we applied to the roof line and also the toilet doors. It has really lifted the overall appearance of the latrine.

Idete Primary School Wastewater Treatment System Inspection

2011-08-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

The MSABI team lead by Sanitation Manager Naomi Ng’endo undertook an inspection of the latrine system at Idete Primary School. This was our first school latrine system which was built mid 2010. We have used this pilot project as a template for replication and improvement for new designs. On this trip we inspected the wastewater treatment system. This is where we put emphasis on our design and construction quality. The septic tank is the expensive component of our construction – consisting of a solid bottom slab and foundation and fully water proofed tank and slab ceiling. I was very impressed with the internal inspection of the tank. The tank is working as designed and the anaerobic digestion of the sludge appears to be excellent. The baffle wall and overflow to the irrigation system is working well. The bananas we planted are struggling, likely due to the poor soil – the area is more suited to cassava. It’s a fine balance between a low cost structure and durability. The total cost of the treatment system and 8x latrine stalls was TZS 5 million – around $3500 only. This is very cheap and less than half of typical government/NGO budgets which work on >$1000/latrine stall. For our next designs we will increase the cost by around $500-1000 to improve the robustness of the latrine stall construction – namely a concrete ring beam around the superstructure, pre-mould squat plates and hand washing tank.

External view of the septic tank system

Internal view of the septic tank. The system seems to be developing a good bacteriological colony suitable for sludge digestion.

Weekly Meeting

2011-08-27T08:25:00.000-07:00

MSABI held its weekly meeting today with a full management team on deck. Hashim has returned from holidays and he will be field based managing drill teams and ensuring quality control. We now have over 30 drill jobs on order! Pictured in the photo are from top of picture moving clockwise – Hija Choyo (Accountant), Santiago (Educational support manager), Elvira Caldan (Water Kiosk Project Manager, Volunteer), Maurus Sambakali (Logistics and Procurement Manager), Naomi Ng’endo (Sanitation Manager and Assistant Program Manager), Christine (Secretary), Hashim Mtoi (Drilling Field Manager), Bruno Sanga (Pottery Manager), Nik Holbro (Program Manager), Dimitri (Software Engineer, Volunteer). I’m taking the picture. In the field we have 4 drill teams (soon to be 6), women’s pottery group, education team and drama team.

World First 2 in 1 Submersible and Rope Pump

2011-08-27T08:21:00.000-07:00

MSABI has completed its first submersible pump and rope pump combination in a borehole with 4” casing. The design allows for the submersible pump to be located below the guide block of the rope pump. In this situation the borehole is 30m, the submersible pump at 25m and the bottom of the rope pump (guide block) at 15m. The top 1m of the borehole has a 6” casing adaptor to allow for enough room to situate rising mains, electrical conduit and submersible pump safety rope. The demand for this design is strong due to the unreliability of the power supply. During the dry season demand for power outstrips the ability of the national grid – which is reliant on hydro power. The power can sometimes be offline for weeks. MSABI believes this design might be a world first.