Ndandini Water Project Update

GOOD NEWS from KENYA

The Nanaimo North RC introduced our project to the Mid-Vancouver Island group of 10 RC's and received a $1000 commitment from them. Two members of the Sunshine Coast RC introduced our project to a client and received a $1000 donation. The One Village At A Time fund has contributed $6000 for a total of us$8,000 which left us with us$17,000 to go.

Then the Rotary Club of Vitoria (Spain), who had first inquired about our project in May, responded to our appeal and has offered to provide the $17,000 to get our project fully funded! A VERY BIG thank you for a most generous humanitarian action.

So now we can move forward and get our project underway as soon as possible. Since arriving in Kenya last Sunday we have been reminded every day of the severe consequences of this prolonged drought here in Kenya. Scheduled power outages in Nairobi every day due to the lack of water in the dam to run the hydroelectric turbines. No water in city water lines forcing people in Nairobi to buy jugs of water for all their household needs. Dead and dying zebras, wildebeest and elephants throughout Amboseli Park from the lack of grass. Dust devils across the horizon and huge dust storms that completely blacken the sky and envelop huge areas in fine blowing dust. And everyone hoping and praying for rain to come soon.

On Monday we met with our project manager Duncan and the three project members from our host Rotary Club (Nairobi Industrial Area) to update everyone on our activities, current status, and plans. Our Host Club is solidly behind the project and eager to work with us all to get this project underway and completed successfully as soon as possible.

This week our project manager has returned to Ndandini to complete preparations to get the donated land for the well subdivided, surveyed and title transferred to the now legally registered Ndandini Village Water Management Committee. Next Monday Duncan will appear before the government land board for the subdivision permit and then on Tuesday accompany the government land surveyor to the land to oversee the survey and then file for the subdivision of the land and the transfer of title. Meanwhile we are also applying for the permit to drill the borehole.

I am awaiting one signed financing form from the Vitoria club and then I will be in a position to submit the final financing paperwork to TRF for our project.

Rotary Club of Sunshine Coast

Terry Umbach