TANZANIA

The Drilling Begins

IMBASENI VILLAGE

WATER PROJECT

“As Pete called to one of the brothers to ‘turn on the pump now!’ all of our hearts skipped a beat. Would what came out of the pipe be salty and brackish? Would the strongly running flow suddenly stop and become an ineffective trickle? We all had been sending up our prayers of hope to the Ancestors. Our fingers (and toes) were crossed in anticipation…all that was left was the verdict from the headman of the drilling crew. Our lofty expectations could be dashed with a thumbs-down signal from the geological report. And then unexpectedly, a gush of water roared lustily from the pipes that had drilled more than 165 feet (50meters) into rock and soil that hadn’t seen the sun in eons of time. The faces of the Tanzanian drilling crew suddenly broke out in wide smiles and they pumped the air with thumbs-up signals of confirmation. WE HAD WATER!! The drilling rig’s powerful bit had cut into a source that was nearly endless in supply!!”

-Charlotte Hill O’Neal

Maji means Water in Kiswahli the national language of Tanzania

Mzee Pallanjyo the Regional Representative cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the new fountain

Maji Project A Great Success!

The Kuji community is proud to announce the successful completion of the Imbaseni Village Water Project. Our sponsorship of the project in collaboration with the United African Alliance Community Center (U.A.A.C.C.) has brought water to an East African village!

Southwest of Mt. Kilimanjaro, just beyond the paved street leading to the city of Arusha, a rocky dirt road winds uphill past small fields of corn, wild flowers, banana trees and wandering chickens. Nestled along the slopes of Mt. Meru, in the heart of the traditional homeland of the WaMeru tribe, is the rural village of Imbaseni. Movement is a constant along this road, whether it’s people traveling to town, children playing, cattle crossing or neighbors visiting. For decades, women and children have walked miles, hauling buckets of poor quality water everyday to meet the most minimal needs of their families.

This same road leads to the gates of U.A.A.C.C. and to an outlet of the new well that has made a profound impact on this small village. Just outside the gates of the center and easily accessible for all who pass by, a single brass faucet stands beneath a hand painted sign that reads:

"IMBASENI VILLAGE WATER PROJECT
A PARTERSHIP EFFORT BY THE KUJI FOUNDATION AND THE UNITED AFRICAN ALLIANCE COMMUNITY CENTER"

Open to the community and centrally located it has become a gathering place. Women stop and talk and help one another carry their buckets and children play while filling their containers. The elders of the community stop by to bear witness to the fountain and share their gratitude.

A new water system runs beneath the grounds of the center connecting to the main well. It’s waters flow directly from Mt. Kilimanjaro into several outlets and tanks throughout the community. Construction of more tanks and standpipes continues today to further serve the community.

It is no surprise that water, or the lack of it, should be the subject of so much debate over the years and particularly in recent times leading up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Water has always been the basis for life and for the growth of civilizations. What should be a great concern to all of us is the fact that over 1.1 billion people lack access to even the minimum quantity of safe water for their health and dignity. Millions of Africans die each year from preventable, water-related diseases. Understanding the relationship that links poverty to the lack of safe drinking water is key to understanding the great importance of taking action to create access to clean water. Studies have proven that when families have access to safe water and sanitation, opportunities for education and income are increased and general health and well-being are improved. It is impossible to escape poverty when you are living in unsanitary conditions with no clean water close to home. For example, mainly women are expected to provide water for the family every morning. If there is no access to water close to home, this means rising very early to walk several miles to collect water before going to work, in many villages young girls are expected to carry water so very few enroll in school. Teachers are more likely to accept positions at schools that have access to clean water. The time saved each day by having access to water can now be spent with family or used to bring more income into the household.

What we have accomplished will continue to serve the community for years to come. Because both Kuji and U.A.A.C.C. are small organizations we are able to avoid the many obstacles that impede the success and mobilization of larger corporations with a great deal more resources than we have. Our focus on community involvement in all of our projects allows us to determine the best way to serve the people because we consult with the people and have a genuine commitment and connection to the communities we serve.

There is an old Kiswahilli saying, Maji ni Uhai…Water is Life! How true that is. No longer will the people of Imbaseni have to travel miles to collect muddy water or suffer the consequences of faulty water pipes that are often crushed beneath the weight of passing elephants and buffalo. For the first time there is a reliable source of water for the people of Imbaseni.

The relationship we have developed with U.A.A.C.C. and its founders, Mzee Pete O’Neal (Managing Director) and Mama Charlotte Hill O’Neal (Cultural/Arts Director), has been a beautiful expression of our most highly regarded goals and principles. Umoja (unity), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujaama (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), Imani (faith) and Kujichagulia (self-determination). These are the 7 principles, the Nguzo Saba, that represent the philosophy of all Kuji sponsored programs, projects and events. Kuji has found in Mzee Pete, Mama Charlotte and the U.A.A.C.C. community our most important guiding principles put into action.