Monday 14 May 2018

Women’s groups, partnership and progress


So … after five years deeply involved in Tanzania, finally I am asking directly for some money to empower women’s groups in remote hamlets to tackle the awful rates of maternal and child mortality. I have waited, and now is the time for your fiver ... or even ten crisp fifties! But please read on, even if you do not want to donate!!

Despite being a peaceful and relatively incorrupt country, death in childbirth is 100 times more common than in the UK.


One in ten children do not reach their fifth birthday in rural areas, and girls from a young age spend their childhood fetching dirty water to drink:

                                 


In response, we have learnt that good-willed foreigners air-dropping solutions, then disappearing, does not work. Instead, we have helped the people set up eleven women’s groups in eleven hamlets, and the young and middle-aged women have now become the engine for progress.

                                  

FGM has stopped in some hamlets. Children are being immunised. Women are seeking safe childbirth. Communities are working together to produce enough crops and food to fight off malnutrition. Suddenly there is an energy about making things different. Women have a voice. The women’s movement is called ‘Tushikamane’ – ‘We stick together’.

The top priorities, however, are water and sanitation. The majority of rural women spend their girlhood and adult life fetching dirty water five times a day, and scratching a living for the family for the remainder of their time. Few have ever used a toilet. Many rural girls are denied education – their main escape route – because they are needed for hard labour.


                               

We still have the problem, however, that solutions must be locally developed if they are to be sustainable. Step forward ‘SAWA’ – Sanitation And Water Action: http://sawatanzania.org/. These are highly skilled Tanzanian professionals, who work for no profit, educating and activating rural communities to understand water hygiene and water pump maintenance. Using the skills, resources and manpower of the community, they supervise the constructions of sustainable water and hygiene solutions. 


Before SAWA:
                              
After SAWA:


Working through SAWA and women’s groups, we have been able to deliver such profound change as this pump, for just £500. Our charity – ‘Mission Morogoro’ – has no overheads at all, and works with the women of these remote hamlets to change their lives for ever.

We have three more pumps to install, and then they would like us to begin to help them update their primeval agriculture. Again, we will be using local partner non-profit organisations, of Tanzanian professionals who really care.

Please help! Donate here:

Or buy the story:  The blog is now a paperback:

And tell your friends – especially book clubs – about the book! It is written as a diary, trying to inject some Bryson-like humour, and entertains at the same time as gripping you with the unfolding story of Tushikamane.

Or why not buy a well for Kipera?!!!
£500 to transform the lives of those whose daily water supply is this:



Thank you!!!


Friday 26 January 2018

Summary of where we are: Women’s Groups, Water, and reducing death and hardship in rural Tanzania

Women’s Groups, Water, and reducing death and hardship in rural Tanzania


Mission Morogoro (MM)
MM, a charity based in the Midlands, has been working in partnership with the people of Tunguli and Msamvu since 2012. These two villages encompass eleven remote hamlets, and a population of around 5,000 people in the upland region of Morogoro, Tanzania. Although this is a part of the world with no political unrest, where Christian and Muslim work side by side, there has always been immense poverty, and lack of access to those things that most parts of the world take for granted: health care, sanitation, water, and food. Maternal and child mortality rates are among the highest in the world.

The mission of MM is to engage with communities and stimulate their self-development in health, education, agriculture and water/sanitation … and to provide at least some of those aspects of the development that would otherwise be unaffordable.  Over the past 5 years this has included better and more reliable access to water and sanitation systems; a tractor and trailer; rainwater harvesting water tanks; various structural and equipment improvements for the Health Centre; a motorcycle ambulance; and start-up materials for micro-projects – eg training; sewing machines; livestock; bricks; etc etc.

However, to achieve the longer-term vision needs strong community buy-in, involvement and commitment to sustainability.


Tushikamane (‘We stick together’ – to be empowered)
Building this community buy-in needs more than simply meeting the traditional leaders and getting their assent. In particular, the evidence is now accumulating very powerfully that the young women of the hamlets need a voice. A key component of reducing tragic death of mothers and children is to engage with those same mothers, and help them become the stimulus, from deep within the community, for sustainable development to occur.

Beginning in 2014, and following the WHO recommended methodology, a programme began whereby a local team was trained to develop women’s groups, and to guide those groups to lead the communities out of under-development. The women of Tunguli and Msamvu readily responded, and quickly set up eleven groups, under the banner ‘Tushikamane’. Getting the support of the traditional leaders in the community was pushing on an open door.

Giving women a voice led to the distillation of a new set of priorities in each community – and at the top of the list in every case was water. Women and young girls still walk many kilometres, five times a day, to fetch typically 25 litres of dirty water, which they then carry on their head back home.

This means that many girls never get to go to school. Tragically, this dirty water is at the root of many fatal infections, such that 10% of children do not reach their fifth birthday.



SAWA
Sanitation and Water Action (SAWA) is an indigenous NGO established in 2009. It supports communities to identify cost-effective, innovative solutions for sustainable Water, Sanitation & Hygeine (WASH) projects, in Dar es Salaam, Morogoro, Dodoma and Njombe regions.  It is a lean, mobile, highly efficient organisation of motivated professionals, providing top quality work at low cost.

Since its inception in 2009, SAWA has facilitated many different programs in close collaboration with beneficiary communities, local authorities and different funding agencies including Mission Morogoro, Winrock International, UNICEF, Water For All, WaterAid, and AMREF.

SAWA has been providing WASH support to communities and schools to improve water supply services, school latrines rehabilitation and construction of new ones. Additionally SAWA provide training for teachers and school leaders on plans for sustainability, effective operation and maintenance. These have benefitted over 54,000 students and 260,000 community members.


Success!
SAWA, MM and Tushikamane came together for the first time in 2017. MM had already commissioned a water and sanitation report from SAWA, highlighting the dire need, and echoing the concern of the women’s groups:


Together, Tushikamane, MM, and SAWA decided to do something about it. The first site to be tackled would be Mjuwimi. The water hole beforehand was filthy, contaminated and partly blocked, and women spent many hours trying to get sufficient water.


The community was mobilised by the women’s group, who had highlighted the water problem as a top priority. The community provided the manpower and some of the materials, and SAWA provided the expertise. In a week of intensive work, the well was cleaned out, re-dug, and rebuilt using a new pump. By the end of the project, a new pump was delivering an extra-ordinary 12,000 litres per hour of clean, fresh water.

The whole story can be found here:


Because so much had been provided by the community, including manpower, the entire cost of the project to MM was less than £600.



More success!
The situation in Kwibomba was even worse – the water hole was many kilometres from many of those who used it, and the quality was dire:


Following a further collaboration between MM and SAWA, under the promptings and support of Tushikamane, another small miracle occurred:



Next steps for SAWA and MM
The plan is now to tackle all of the principal water and sanitation projects in the eleven hamlets, starting with the schools. For more than half of the population, defaecation is still done in the bush.

A full project plan and budget have been drawn up:


Vitally, the community buy-in and involvement will continue to be provided by Tushikmane.


Next steps for Tushikamane
With the women’s groups set up and the process taken to the point where the community have to be largely self-starting, it is a precarious time for Tushikamane. A recent month-long visit by Heidi Twilley, a Swahili-speaking nurse, provided inspiring stories about how the process was revitalising the impetus to take the communities into the twenty-first century.

However, some stimulation and guidance of the groups will still be needed, and for this we are in the process of a consultation, which might lead to the appointment of a local Facilitator. Representatives of MM will be travelling out both in March and August, to get a first-hand view. (They travel at their own expense. Every penny received by MM goes into its work, with zero admin costs.)


What we need
What is needed now is funding – not vast quantities, but enough to tackle each project, one by one. Because of the community involvement, and the expertise and inexpensiveness of SAWA, the entire water and sanitation programme will cost less than £10,000. Each component will cost £500 to £1000. A part-time Tushikamane Facilitator will cost less than £1k/year.

When we consider that £1000 will buy an entire school a toilet block with hand-washing, where currently many still poo in the bush and only ever have dirty water, money will never, ever be better spent.

Thursday 25 January 2018

SAWA Budget 2018

  Sanitation and   Water Action (SAWA)
  MM PROJECT - Strengthened Community Management for Sustainable Water and Sanitation services at Tunguli in Kilindi District Council.
  Detailed Budget for ten months from April 1, 2018 to January 30, 2019.
S/N Budget Category No units Type  Unit  Type/frequency %age of MM support  Unit Cost (TZS)   Total Estimated Cost (TZS)   Grantee Contribution (TZS)   MM support (TZS) 
1 SALARIES AND WAGES                  
1.1 SAWA Manager  (4%) 1 person 10 Months 4%     5,402,430.00        54,024,300.00       51,863,328.00              2,160,972.00
1.2 SAWA Technical WASH Advisor   (3%) 1 person 10 Months 3%     4,826,333.33        48,263,333.33       46,815,433.33              1,447,900.00
1.3 SAWA Project Accountant       (2%) 1 person 10 Months 2%     2,208,000.00        22,080,000.00       21,638,400.00                 441,600.00
1.4 SAWA Project Officer     (2%) 1 person 10 Months 2%     3,150,000.00        31,500,000.00       30,870,000.00                 630,000.00
1.5 SAWA Project  M&E            (1%) 1 person 10 Months 1%     2,587,500.00        25,875,000.00       25,616,250.00                 258,750.00
  Salaries subtotal                  181,742,633.33     176,803,411.33              4,939,222.00
                     
2 SALARY BENEFITS (PPF(10% etc)                  
2.1 SAWA Manager  (4%) 1 person 10 Months 4%        540,243.00          5,402,430.00         5,186,332.80                 216,097.20
2.2 SAWA Technical WASH Advisor   (3%) 1 person 10 Months 3%        482,633.33          4,826,333.33         4,681,543.33                 144,790.00
2.3 SAWA Project Accountant       (2%) 1 person 10 Months 2%        220,800.00          2,208,000.00         2,163,840.00                   44,160.00
2.4 SAWA Project Officer     (2%) 1 person 10 Months 2%        315,000.00          3,150,000.00         3,087,000.00                   63,000.00
2.6 SAWA Project  M&E            (1%) 1 person 10 Months 1%        258,750.00          2,587,500.00         2,561,625.00                   25,875.00
  Salary benefits subtotal                    18,174,263.33       17,680,341.13                 493,922.20
                     
3 OPERATIONAL COSTS                  
3.1 Office Rent 1 item 10 Months 2%     1,777,200.00        17,772,000.00       17,416,560.00                 355,440.00
3.2 Consumables (stationeries and photocopies) 1 item 10 Months 5%        700,000.00          7,000,000.00         6,650,000.00                 350,000.00
3.3 Utilities , water, electricity  1 item 10 Months 5%        350,000.00          3,500,000.00         3,325,000.00                 175,000.00
3.4 Office cleaning services and security 1 item 10 Months 5%        300,000.00          3,000,000.00         2,850,000.00                 150,000.00
3.5 Postage charges including transportation 1 item 10 Months 5%        100,000.00          1,000,000.00            950,000.00                   50,000.00
3.6 Communication charges ( Internet , telephone) 1 item 10 Months 10%        350,000.00          3,500,000.00         3,150,000.00                 350,000.00
3.7 Others ( bank charges, 1st Aid kit etc) 1 item 10 Months 0%        100,000.00          1,000,000.00         1,000,000.00                                -  
   Operation cost subtotal                    36,772,000.00       35,341,560.00              1,430,440.00
                     
5 ACTIVITY COSTS (Include; trainings, awareness, capacity building activities e.t.c)                  
5.1 Specific objective No.1: Engage Kilindi and Tumguli community in project planning and implementation                   
5.1.1 Inception workshop  at at the ward   level  including district representatives to share SAWA/MM project plan and Budget and develop a joint plan for implementation      
  Transport reimbursement to district staff 3 People 2 Trips 100%          20,000.00             120,000.00                          -                   120,000.00
  Night allowance for one day for Kilindi Staff 3 People 1 day 100%          60,000.00             180,000.00                   180,000.00
  Lunch and refreshment 41 People 1 Plates 100%          10,000.00             410,000.00                          -                   410,000.00
  Stationeries 40 People 1 Day 100%            3,000.00             120,000.00                          -                   120,000.00
  Per diem for SAWA Dar es Salaam 2 people 3 Days 100%          80,000.00             480,000.00                          -                   480,000.00
  Mileage  reimbursement ( Dar -Kilindi-Dar) 2 trips 400 km 100%            2,000.00          1,600,000.00                          -                1,600,000.00
  Sub total                      2,910,000.00                          -                2,910,000.00
                     
5.1.2 Conduct village general assembly to share project plan and budget ( budget not required)      
                     
5.1.3 Establishment of community management entity (COWSO) as per national guidelines      
  Conduct two days workshop to facilitate developmen of COWSO consttitution      
  Perdiem for District staff 3 People 2 days 100%          60,000.00             360,000.00                          -                   360,000.00
  Transport from to district 3 staff 3 People 2 trips 100%          10,000.00               60,000.00                     60,000.00
  Lunch and refreshment for participants 30 People 2 days 100%          10,000.00             600,000.00                          -                   600,000.00
  Per diem for SAWA headquarter staff 2 people 3 Days 100%          80,000.00             480,000.00                          -                   480,000.00
  Mileage reimbursement ( Dar -Tunguli-Dar) 2 trips 400 km 100%            2,000.00          1,600,000.00                          -                1,600,000.00
  Printing and photocopies of materials and report 1 item 10 bundle 100%            5,000.00               50,000.00                          -                     50,000.00
  Sub total                      3,150,000.00                          -                3,150,000.00
                     
  Conduct three days training to equip COWSO leaders with financial management, leadership and operation and maintanance skills                  
  Perdiem for District staff 1 People 2 days 100%          60,000.00             120,000.00                          -                   120,000.00
  Transport from to district 3 staff 2 People 2 trips 100%          15,000.00               60,000.00                     60,000.00
  Lunch and refreshment for participants 25 People 3 days 100%          10,000.00             750,000.00                          -                   750,000.00
  Per diem for SAWA headquarter staff 2 people 3 Days 100%          80,000.00             480,000.00                          -                   480,000.00
  Mileage reimbursement ( Dar -Tunguli-Dar) 2 trips 400 km 100%            2,000.00          1,600,000.00                          -                1,600,000.00
  Printing and photocopies of materials and report 1 item 10 bundle 100%            5,000.00               50,000.00                          -                     50,000.00
  Sub total                      3,060,000.00                          -                3,060,000.00
5.2.2 Community care takers visit Morogoro for two days to lean how to manufacture  rope pump parts      
  Transport for participants from  to Morogoro 5 People 2 trips 100%          10,000.00             100,000.00                          -                   100,000.00
  Perdiem for two days 5 People 2 days 100%          50,000.00             500,000.00                          -                   500,000.00
  Pump mechanics training fee for 2 days 2 People 2 trips 100%          80,000.00             320,000.00                          -                   320,000.00
  Stationeries 20 People 1 Item 100%            3,000.00               60,000.00                          -                     60,000.00
  Sub total                         980,000.00                          -                   980,000.00
                     
  Sub total for Specific Objective 1                    10,100,000.00                          -              10,100,000.00
5.2.4 Conduct  one  day Capacity building  session of Sub Village teams on data collection       
   stationeries 30 people 1 day 100%            3,000.00               90,000.00                          -                     90,000.00
  Lunch and Refreshments 35 People 1 day 100%          10,000.00             350,000.00                          -                   350,000.00
  transport reimbursement for DHO 1 People 2 Trips 100%          10,000.00               20,000.00                          -                     20,000.00
  District staff perdiem 1 people 1 days 100%          65,000.00               65,000.00                          -                     65,000.00
  SAWA staff perdiem 2 people 2 days 100%          80,000.00             320,000.00                          -                   320,000.00
  Mileage reimbursement ( Dar -Tunguli-Dar) 2 trips 400 km 100%            2,000.00          1,600,000.00                          -                1,600,000.00
  Sub total                      2,445,000.00                          -                2,445,000.00
  Preparation of sanitation and hygiene training material in line with NSC tools and fit to local environment in data collection, triggering (animators), technologies.      
  Sanitation register  11 pcs 1 pc 100%            5,000.00               55,000.00                          -                     55,000.00
  Printing of training materials 11 Manuals 1   100%            5,000.00               55,000.00                          -                     55,000.00
  Sub total                         110,000.00                          -                   110,000.00
  Conduct pre-triggering and triggering sessions at sub village level.      
  Two facilitator from DHO offiice Kilindi 2 people 2 village 100%          65,000.00             260,000.00                          -                   260,000.00
  Facilitators transport reimbursement( District) 2 people 2 session 100%          20,000.00               80,000.00                          -                     80,000.00
  Facilitators transport reimbursement( at ward level) 4 people 2 session 100%          10,000.00               80,000.00                     80,000.00
  Purchasing of triggering materials 11 subvillages 1 frequency 100%          20,000.00             220,000.00                          -                   220,000.00
  Perdiem SAWA facilitators 2 people 3 days 100%          80,000.00             480,000.00                          -                   480,000.00
  Mileage reimbursement ( Dar -Tunguli-Dar) 2 trips 400 km 90%            2,000.00          1,600,000.00                1,440,000.00
                         2,720,000.00                2,560,000.00
5.3 Post-triggering activities                  
5.3.1 Follow up on latrines construction and hygiene practices.                  
  Transport reimbursement for ward health officer 1 persons 6 frequency 100%          20,000.00             120,000.00                          -                   120,000.00
  Data collectors updating register 22 persons 4 frequency 100%          10,000.00             880,000.00                          -                   880,000.00
  Local facilitator 1 people 6 frequency 100%          20,000.00             120,000.00                   120,000.00
  Data consolidation  on quarterly basis  3 people 4 frequency 100%          10,000.00             120,000.00                          -                   120,000.00
  Monitoring at village level 4 people 6 days 100%          10,000.00             240,000.00                          -                   240,000.00
  Per diem for SAWA  2 Person 2 frequency 100%          80,000.00             320,000.00                          -                   320,000.00
  mileage claim (Dar -Tunguli-Dar) 4 Trips 400 kms 100%            2,000.00          3,200,000.00                          -                3,200,000.00
                         5,000,000.00 0              5,000,000.00
   Facilitate Internal and external ODF verification exercises.                  
  Transport reimbursement for district and region team 4 People 2 days 100%          30,000.00             240,000.00                          -                   240,000.00
  Perdiem for district and region team 5 People 2 days 100%        100,000.00          1,000,000.00                          -                1,000,000.00
  Refreshment for ward and village team 10 People 2 days 100%          10,000.00             200,000.00                          -                   200,000.00
  Sub total                      1,440,000.00                          -                1,440,000.00
                     
  TOTAL PROJECT COSTS                    28,678,584.20       28,678,584.20  
                     
  UK paud 1=   2900                             9,889.17                9,889.17                                -