Celebrating & Mourning Efua

I also mourn and celebrate Efua Dorkenoo who passed on on the 18th of October 2014. I met her some time in the late 2000 when FORWARD in collaboration with AIDOS organised a meeting for partners including AMWIK working to address Female Genital Mutilation in the region.

Fireless Cooker saves you money, time & keeps more forests

Fireless cooker saves you money, time and keeps more forests!

Having walked through the Nairobi Agricultural Society of Kenya(ASK) show - probably for the sixth or seventh time in my life with the usual crowd and dust having been dragged there by my son who could hear nothing about not going to the show.  One of my favourite stands is that of the ministry of agriculture. And recollected how fascinated we would be growing up to see how silk material is woven from silk worms. Another popular lesson was to watch the bees and learn . The attendant said bees work all the time even at night there is some work going on.  I make a mental note to create time to study the bees and their lifestyle!
I  admire the well maintained big cabbage and kale farms. Somebody else was sharing about the rabbit meat and selling pieces of fried rabbit meat at price which literally costed an arm and a leg - he was quick to add that its a wonderful delicacy with low fat and cholestral content.

The Ministry also had on its display a wide array of many energy saving devices mostly jikos stoves .  Why hadnt I seen this before!" This is thought that struck me when I looked at the basket branded the fireless cooker insulated inside and with a black cloth as its covering. Here was the fireless cooker which promised to save you 40 per cent of your domestic expenditure on fuel and I hadnt seen it!. How could have been so blind. So I decided to purchase one.  I fished the 30$ about 2500Ksh and bought the basket. On arriving home I was anxious to test my new find and whether the impulse buying would pay off!

I prepared the rice measured the water two cups of hot water for every cup of rice and let it simmer for while in the gas cooker and then transferred it to the basket and went on do other chores and catch up with news. 30 minutes later the rice was ready. Not only was the rice well cooked but there was not a piece of rice stuck to the cooking pan.  The rice having been cooked with the trapped heat from the insulated material and black cloth.
Why then wasnt the fireless cooker in every house I wondered with such savings.  The more I thought of it the more I realised that much more can be achieved for example, it can save many forests if used in the rural areas where many still rely on firewood.  In the urban areas it will save your electricity or gas if you cook with an electric cooker or gas cooker.

Alice Musau from the Urban food security section of Ministry of Agriculture shares that when it was introduced it was perceived to target only the poor as opposed to all households.
I conclude that solutions to some of our fundamental problems might be simple and within reach.  I thought of the story of the man who sold his farm and went to search for his acres of gold yet his farm was endowed with gold! Look around your environment!

Alice Musau prepares to offer tips on making the fireless cooker  she says you can cook many food items including legumes, vegatables, meat as well as Ugali(made from maize flour and hot water stirred and turned)

These are just some of the steps in making the basket.  So why doesnt everybody have one in Kenya or many parts of Africa. For it has a big role to play in addressing climate change issues.
For these reasons.
1.Saves you time
2.Saves you money.
3.Saves forests
4.Reduces carban emissions

Afro Dispatch on Water & Sanitation

Chikhwawa, Malawi

Matriach helps mobilise water and sanitation for her village in Chikhwawa

Meet Elida Singret Timbenawo the lll(Third),she is the Senior Chief of Timbenawo village, Chikwawa, Malawi. with her leadership and mobilisation, she has collaborated with Water For People, in turning around the fate of her village in terms of access to water and sanitation. 

Elida Singret Timbenawo the lll(Third),is the Senior Chief of Timbenawo village, Chikwawa, Malawi

Timbenawo village has come from being a water scarce, disease prone place where women walk for four hours in search of water to one where communal water is readily available, children are healthier and women look smarter and have more time for themselves. However there are few parts of the village yet to get boreholes.

The joy of having a nearby water source! See what a festival, collecting water at peak hours becomes.


So now there is water! 

And more water even for this young one who is lucky to be born at a time when there is a nearby water source.

What about the operation and maintainance of the hand pump boreholes.  Well each village has a water point committee who oversee the running of the water points and usually the tariff is paid by households on a  monthly basis.

mnyambala@waterforpeople.org

Except for a few parts of Chikhwawa which are yet to get boreholes and Water For People intends to construct additional boreholes in the coming months.  See below a woman gets water from a scoop hole. An sure her story will soon change.

Re -imagine Reflection on the future of Rwandas Water and Sanitation

Online yearly tracking of progress in Water and Sanitation in targetted districts

Marceline Nyambala

The first time I heard about Re- imagine reporting was at Water For People; and it immediately conjured up connotative images of people reflecting on past progress of a project by engaging their imagination.  Having been weaned into a diet of  self-explanatory names like Water For People, Everyone Forever I assumed that Re- imagine reporting was in the same regimen.


Nick Burn Chief of Programmes, Water For People discusses the RIR platform with Water For People Staff at their offices in Kigali.

I finally get a chance to participate in such an exercise of the Water For People just a few weeks after launch of the Re- imagine reporting platform that took place on the 17^th of April 2013 in Denver Colorado. Well it turned out that my connotative meaning was not very far from the actual exercise going by the deliberations of preparatory meeting.    The re-imagine reflection session for Rwanda was scheduled take place between 13- 17 May 2013 in Kigali with the first two days being preparatory sessions.

Day One

On 13 May 2013, I meet for breakfast Mr Gordon Mumbo, the Africa Regional Manager and Nick Burns, Chief of International Progammes and thanks to the photos on Skype and other online platforms with pictures, I easily recognize Burn whom I am meeting for first time. The walk to the Water For People offices from Classic hotel thereafter is less than five minutes. A convenience I did not enjoy the last time I was in Rwanda for the Rulindo “Every One Forever” meeting in November 2012, as the hotel was actually under construction.

We soon get to the office and after a short exchange of pleasantries Mr Mumbo kicks off the meeting. As this is a preparatory sessions, everybody shares about their activities. We hear from Sebastian Ngomanziza, Project Officer that the Water For People, had been receiving favourable ratings from the evaluation team from Immigration department as an agent of change due to relevant and tangible work on the ground.  A factor, he says means that Water For People would continue its operations in the districts of Rwanda. Colleagues confirm that several Civil Society organizations have been suspended after poor ratings and disapproval from their districts of operation. Ngomanziza further reminds us that Eco – san toilet, had been endorsed for all schools seeking to put up pit latrines in Rulindo district during the last Every One Forever meeting in the district. An Eco San, is an ecological toilet, which is urine-diverting system toilet where feaces are separated from urine and reused as fertilizers.

Eco - san toilet; an example of sanitation project by Water For People

We also learn from Steve Mugabo, Business Development Manager that in Ntarabana sector in Rulindo a sacco had approved loans for 49 households to build various toilets including VIP, Pour Flush and Eco- San toilets. However he reveals that some two individuals, have been denied loans by the sacco due to difficulty in paying the last time. The first disbursement is expected in mid-June.  This we are told is within the context and a recent government policy to open up saccos in every sector to encourage savings. The cost of the toilet could be 86,000 RWF but could go down to 25,000 RWF if one has their own resources, with an interest of two per cent on a reducing balance.
Perpetue Kamuyumbu, Rwanda Country Director expressed her excitement at the prospect of the upcoming RIR reflection session. “During the reflection we will see how far we have gone with Everyone,” Kamuyumbu said. She pointed out that 15 people were expected including EWSA, the districts of Rulindo, & Kicukiro and noting that the meeting  had also brought on board Chief of International Programms, the Regional manager and well as Regional Communication & Knowledge management person.
Mugabo said data was collected in the 17 sectors of Rulindo, using FLOW phones uploaded on dash boards.  Genevive Banimana said she hoped issue of co- financing can be brought to the fore. “Often the cost of hardware is clear, however the cost of software is not understood and not planned for including capacity building for staff, monitoring end evaluation.

Thank God for our colleague Eileen Lambert in Denver for uploading the information on the RIR platform online on Kicukiro on http://reporting.waterforpeople.org/kicukiro  & http://reporting.waterforpeople.org/rulindo for Rulindo we had data on the RIR platform to refer to. But what is the RIR platform?  Re-Imagine Reporting platform is an interactive window into Water For People’s progress over time, of its Every One Forever showing the organization’s successes and challenges, while giving stakeholders a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of Everyone Forever versus a spreadsheet with line items and figures. On the platform, you'll find information, data, metrics and stories about our work.

Perpetue Kamuyumbu, Water For People
Country Director with colleague Genevive 

Everyone Forever is Water For People’s initiative whereby the organisation works with other WASH sector players to create a world where ”Everyone”  every family, every school, and every clinic in the areas we work, have access to improved water and sanitation before we rest, or move to a new place. “Forever,” looks beyond the work of installing hardware-tanks, pipes, pumps, and latrines, and focus on building local knowledge and institutional systems that support water and sanitation services forever. Mumbo says the preparatory meeting was spent looking at parameters necessary for the RIR session. 

Every One Forever comes at a cost says Mumbo and it is important to know what the Forever would cost.  Mumbo said there lessons from other countries who have started including various costs operations, maintenance as well as replacement in the tariffs.  Progressively these lessons will be put on the platform.

Water For People Africa Regional Manager shares a point during the preparatory meeting

“Capital required for  Every One Forever in Rulindo or Kicukiro is estimated at $16 million while the existing assets are worth $ 30 million, thus 46 million will be required to replace the system after 25 years,” says Nick Burns, Head of International Programs. Burns says the whole question of where the resources to achieve EF, Forever will be discussed.  A key question with regard to achieving “Every One” is whether we have the capacity to reach Every one, while the question Forever is whether we have institutions and processe to ensure  water and sanitation services forever.

The Water For People partners are expected on  Wednesday 15 May at a hotel Beansejour hotel in Kigali for the RIR sessions.

 

Water For People Launches Re-Imagine Reporting Platform

Water For People Launches Re-Imagine Reporting Platform

SANIPRENUERS IN KENYA TO SELL ENERGY TO THE NATIONAL GRID

Sanitation entrepreneurs generating biogas in Kenya can now sell energy to the national grid following the revision of pricing policy by the Energy Regulatory Authority (ERA).

The decision is expected to attract more business people in the biogas sector including those responding to the sanitation crises in some urban centers by using human waste to generate biogas.  According to ERA‘s new pricing policy suppliers of solar power and biogas will make increased income by supplying to the national grid.

Most rural and peri urban towns have more than their supply of human waste which can generate biogas.  Most of the human waste is discarded in pit latrines, yet its value chain can be expanded to include fuel as well as fertilizer and in the process create employment for technicians, attendants, farmers, vendors etc.  Human waste for biogas and ultimately fertilizer can be adopted by other countries.

Suppliers of solar power will earn Ksh 10.25 ($0.12) per kilowatt while those supplying biogas will earn Ksh 9.39 ($0.11) from Ksh 6.8 ($0.08). In rural and peri urban areas where sewage and piping systems are absent though a challenge presents an opportunity to create business and employment opportunities for the burgeoning unemployed populations.

Biogas tank; courtesy  Living Mandala 

Kenya’s main source of energy is Hydro-electricity at 48 per cent, which suffers interruption during drought. While thermal generates 37 per cent, geothermal generates 12.4 percent, wind 0.3 per cent, co-generation 2.4 percent. According to Ministry of Information, Kenya currently generates 1350MW of electricity and needs to generate 15000MW in the next 20 years if it is to realize the Vision 2030. Vision 2030 is Kenya’s economic blue print that addresses, economic, social and political pillars aimed at transforming Kenya to a newly industrializing middle income country providing high quality life to all its citizens in a clean and secure environment as well as 10 per cent economic growth per annum.

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data shows that all consumer categories recorded an increased demand in electricity with domestic, commercial and industrial, and rural electrification increasing by 10.8, 7.6 and 3.5% respectively.  With a growing rise in population and development, the government of Kenya is seeking ways to generate more renewable energy.

A comprehensive study and analysis on Energy Consumption patterns in Kenya by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) for ERA while stating the” the future of energy is in Green energy” showed that about 70% of the consumers use biomass while 30% use other fuels.

Human waste is already being used in different parts of Kenya to generate energy. In the sprawling Kibera’s Katwekera village already a radical paradigm shift has taken place.  The area hitherto known for its flying toilets (where individuals relieved themselves in their houses in a polythene paper and at an opportune time throw it away) in one of the narrow streets, rooftops or rivers now has a biogas center which provides sanitation services as well as provide energy to cook. 

There are several biogas centers in Nairobi’s informal area where bio-digesters generate power from human waste.  Residents pay Ksh 1 or ($ 0.01162) to use the toilets and Ksh 2 ($0.02) to shower and pay Ksh 10 ($0.12) to cook food for the day which would usually cost nearly 20 times what they are charged when they cook at the biogas centers   Some of the bio -centers earn Ksh 1500 or ($17.45) which pays salaries for those employed at the center. (See Citizen T.V past coverage) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_m1nr2v5S8o

Jomo Kenyatta University College of Agriculture and Technology (JKUCAT) installed its own biogas digesters to serve its 5,000 student population. Some private sector companies have not been left behind, at Farmer’s Choice meat processing plant at Kamiti Estate in Nairobi, biogas flames are replacing kerosene, furnace oil and firewood.

t the Meru GK Prison in Meru County, human waste from an estimated 1,200 inmates and 300 staff members is being used to generate enough biogas to power the prison’s kitchen and those of staff members.Today, thousands of rural households in Kenya plan to or have already installed biogas plants due to the availability of livestock and kitchen waste.

The Government of Kenya is continuing to promote biogas and seeks to see more than 8,000 bio digesters in different parts of Nairobi and thousands of other in the rural areas.

According to Kenya biogas feasibility study Promoting Biogas Systems in Kenya;A feasibility study in October 2007, Mr. Tim Hutchinson built the first biogas digester in Kenya in 1957. This provided all of the gas and fertiliser that his coffee farm needed. He found the effluent (or “sludge”) an excellent fertiliser and that its application to his coffee trees greatly improved productivity. In 1958, he started constructing biogas digesters commercially, marketing the effluent as the main product with biogas as a useful by-product.

Between 1960 and 1986, Hutchinson’s company (called Tunnel Engineering Ltd.) sold more than 130 small biogas units and 30 larger units all over the country. Hutchinson biogas digesters (some still working after fifty years) can be found in various parts of Kenya. Despite the great potential biogas offers hindrances to adoption of biogas include high cost of installing the systems, lack of capacity to install high volumes of biogas, systems failure, inadequate lack of installation support and poor management and maintenance, inadequate technology or lack of technology awareness, scarce or fragmented promotion .

One UN report has commented that sanitation should be made as attractive as mobile phones. World Trade Organisation says toilets should be revolutionized to become as attractive as mobile phones.  What is it about mobile phones and in Kenya Mobile banking (M-pesa) that sanitation can borrow as sanitation services  at different levels are used by the more than 40 million Kenyans?  Safaricom’s m-pesa currently has some 17 million subscribers, with an estimated reach of 38 per cent of the adult population with 45,540 agents countrywide. Some of the Mpesa lines belong to various institutions, i.e companies, schools, churches etc.   What do you think are the parallels between toilets and mobile phones that can enable greater investment by communities in  sanitation services especially value added toilets!

The World Surely is flat

When Thomas Friedmans wrotes in his book the World is Flat about how the world is connecting, he did not imagine that the world will join so profoundly in mourning with the American people over the deaths of 20 children and six teachers in a US school massacre as well as for the mother of the culprit and for the culprit.  Condolences have flowed from all over the world signifying that what happens in America is not just and incident in a far away land. As Obama shed tears and committed to see an end to such incidents, many Kenyans shed a tear or two for those families.