The Water Project
Phase 3:
At the end of 2015 the third phase of the water project could be launched. On April 28, 2016 Tobias Fiedler and Erna Schneider from Engineers without Frontiers went to Kirinda for 2.5 weeks and started the project with purchasing equipment, surveying and mapping works as well as with first excavations.
The excavations were carried out mainly by Kirinda’s citizens who did that voluntarily in teamwork.
In addition first talks had taken place with the landowners regarding compensatory payments.
It is the aim of phase 3 to include two further springs and to build a new water pipe of about 4 km in length which brings the water to the cistern so that enough water will be available for the citizens. Sand filters and gravel embedded into the cistern improve the cleaning process of the water.
Moreover, various watering taps are planned along the pipe route to shorten the way for water access for the surrounding houses.
According to the latest calculations, phase 3 will amount to EUR 44,000 and will be financed completely by donations of the Röchling Stiftung (the foundation of the company Röchling GmbH) – as it was already done with phases 1 and 2.
In total 4 groups with 2 persons, each from Engineers without Frontiers will travel to Kirinda. The first group with Erna Schneider and Tobias Fiedler just came back. In between the stays of the different German groups, there are short breaks during which the population of Kirinda is going on to work on the project under the supervision of the Rwanda group of Engineers without Frontiers. These works comprise mostly forest clearance and excavations for the pipe routes.
The completion of phase 3 is expected for the end of August 2016.
Previous phases 1 and 2:
Phase 1:
Setting up of a rainwater tank and mounting of rainwater gutters on buildings. So, the primary and secondary school have a 10,000 l water tank for their disposal which takes up the rainwater by the gutters and roof rails. This water is good for the handwashing at the schools and for laundering the clothes for the citizens of Kirinda.
Phase 2:
Checking and – if necessary – repairing and renovating the existing spring tappings to increase the water volumes. There are already three springs connected to a cistern in the village. This cistern was financed in 2008 by Junge Menschen für Afrika (Young People for Africa).
To guarantee the future maintenance of the water supply system a small amount of money (the so-called watercent) will be levied for the use of water. With this money, a craftsman will be financed who is responsible for the technical support and who has already been involved in the realization of the project.
A special thanks goes to Röchling Stiftung GmbH (the foundation of the company Röchling GmbH) which have taken over the necessary funds to realize this big water project.
