Success

Yes, the drinking water project was successful thanks to Peasant Solidarity's determination and thanks to those of you who supported them financially.

 Considering that 10%  of the world's population still lacks safe drinking water,  this project and its success is in real terms microscopic. However if you do not start somewhere, you will never get anywhere. Reading Etienne Katchelewa's report you will understand that they are on their way.

Please take the time to read Peasant Solidarity's report and browse this Google photo album containing all the photos.

 

N.G.O. Peasant Solidarity.

Kalima, Maniema/DR.Congo.

Av. Kamisuku II, Quartier Munyangi, Kalima, Pangi, Maniema Province. DR.Congo

Tel: +243 998735042, +243 998735649

email: pieadc2006@yahoo.fr

www.kamparanasolidareco.weebly.com

Drinking water project. Report re: use of financial assistance for water project 4a/2015.

1. Project's completion.
2. Period: 2015.
3. Project number: 4a/2015.
4. Project title: Project for access to drinking water in the town of Kalima, Maniema Province in DR-Congo.
5. Place: Camp Plessy and Camp Famille
6. Organization with responsibility for the project: Peasant Solidarity/PIEADC
7. Project's purpose: Access to safe drinking water.
8. Financial support: This support came from: Stiching Voor Internationale Komunikatie, Foundation WKV.AG, World Association of Green Esperantists and individual esperantists and others throughout the world.
9. Sum available: €11,500.
10. Project benificiaries:Kalima citizens, in particular 2,300 families/4200 individuals living in Avenue Camp Plessy, Avenue Toyota and Camp Famille Mapendo.
11. Start date: 2015.12.14
12. Completion date: 2016.01.29

INFORMATION ABOUT PREVIOUS PROJECTS.

In 2013 Peasant Solidarity/PIEADC started solving the drinking water problem that affects the vast majority of Kalima residents. Our first successful project, which cost €3,000 provided General Hospital, Kalima with access to pure drinking water. It was financed by Foundation WKV.AG.

In 2014 the second stage of our plan was also financed ($10,000) by Stiching Voor Internationale Komunikatie, Foundation WKV.AG, World Association of Green Esperantists and individual esperantists and others throughout the world. This enabled us to provide pure drinking water for citizens living in Camp Central. (Fountain Betty, please see report for stage 2.)

At the end of December 2015 we started the third stage of our plan, which has successfully provided clean drinking water for 4,200 citizens living in the Camp Plessy and Camp Famille – districts in the centre of Kalima. As with the previous projects we were funded by the same generous benefactors.

The money (€11,500), which we received paid for the necessary materials (cement, gravel, pipes etc.), the wages for the masons and plumbers and modest grants for the non-skilled helpers. N.B. As the necessary materials were only available in Goma in North Kivus Province they had to be transported to Kalima by lorry and plane.

We started work on the 14^th December 2015 and completed it on the 29^th January 2016. We drew the water from the same source (Omari Chami station) as we did in 2014 for Fountain Betty. We transported the water using one and two inch pipes the 1,002 meters from Omari Chami Station to Camp Plessy. During this part of the operation we also repaired, where necessary, some of the existing pipes. 

 

RESULTS

We constructed two water-posts in two different neighbourhoods. Originally Peasant Solidarity/PIEADC planned to construct only one water-post in Camp Plessy. However when Camp Famille residents asked Peasant Solidarity, if it would also be possible to build a water post with two taps for them, we were able to oblige and we built a second one and called it «Fountain Ans». The main water -post with four taps at Camp Plessy is called «Fountain Hans Bakker».

Camp Famille residents, who had been drawing water from ''Fountain Betty'' (built in 2014) now draw their water from their own water-post.

Two committees were established. Their role will be the collection of modest water tariffs and supervision of maintenance and repairs:

Hans Bakker committee. ( Camp Plessy).

Chairman: Mr. Mutuza Musafiri Pul

Treasurer: Mrs. Binigwa Mawazo

Adviser: Mr. Kibwe Minono

Adviser: Mr. Kika Gedeon

Adviser: Mrs.Victorien Elenga 

Ans Bakker committee. (Camp Famille).

Chairman: Mr.Lazare Ngumbi

Treasurer: Mrs.Museme Ngalya

Adviser: Mr. Kibiswa Amisi

Adviser: Mr. Ngabo Kalala

Adviser: Mr. Kulyanzigy Ibonga 

Difficulties

The poor road conditions during the rainy season made it more complicated and difficult to transport the materials. It was difficult working during the rainy season. Another problem was the need to repair some of the old pipes so that the water could flow freely.

The greatest hindrance for future plans is that the water-source that we used for the first three projects is insufficient for any new ones. Because of that we have to use another source. River Abuki is the one we have in mind. 

FINANCIAL REPORT

Budget: $11,500

Material and labour costs
Plastic pipes, adhesive, taps etc.	$ 7,005
Transport in Goma ĝis transport firm	$ 84
Bricks, sand and cement	$ 1080
Transport Goma-Kalima-Kalima	$ 1350
Wages for masons and plumbers	$ 1100
Wages for unskilled workers.	$ 400
Fee to Health Office.	$ 80
Communication: internet and telephone.	$ 50
Wage for project's administrator	$ 350
Total Balance	€11,499 + €1

CONCLUSION

The 3^rd stage of the water project went well. Peasant Solidarity/PIEADC extends its sincere thanks to the contributors: Stiching Voor Internationale Komunikatie, Foundation WKV. AG, World Association of Green Esperantists, Esperantists of Uonbulismo, individual Esperanto speakers and non-Esperanto speakers from many different countries.

Paying honour to the memory of Hans Bakker, Peasant Solidarity/PIEADC named one of the water-posts after him; Fountain Hans Bakker and the other in honour of his widow, Fountain Ans.

FUTURE PLANS AND A REQUEST.

The projects in the last three years have been successful. Without doubt the provision of clean water for the hospital and the construction of three water-posts has improved the situation in Kalima. However it is not the end of the story. We estimate that 90% of Kalima residents still need access to clean water supplies in their neighbourhoods. Because of this our battle will continue until everybody in the town gets this essential amenity.

Kalima citizens long for your continued support, because they hope that the 4^th project in 2016 will solve this problem. We therefore beg you to support us. Please help us by appealing for funds from organisations, foundations and generous public-spirited individuals. Doing this you will help us fulfil achieve our goal, which is to provide everybody in the town of Kalima with clean, safe water.

We propose to do it in the following way. River Abuki is 5 km away from Kalima's town centre. Peasant Solidarity/PIEADC would like to dam the river and make a reservoir, from which we would pipe water into town. This plan is estimated to cost € 250,000.

For Peasant Solidarity/PIEADC,

Etienne Katchelewa Kandolo Chairman.

Update!

Update about Peasant Solidarity's water project.

We did it! 

At the end of October AVE (Esperanto environmentalist organisation) will send 11,000 euros to Peasant Solidarity, in Kalima, DR.Congo. 

Their team is raring to go and they plan to start work in the middle of November.

Who were the contributors?

 

7,000 euros were donated by two German foundations:

  Wasserkraft Volk AG   (5,000)

 Stiftung Brücke bei       (2,000) 

 

4,000 euros were donated by generous individuals, clubs and small organisations in many different countries. 90% of the private contributions came from Esperantists.

Feedback from Kalima.

Etienne Katchelewa and Alphonse Waseka from Peasant Solidarity are delighted, relieved and very grateful. They look forward to  completing the project successfully.

On completion I look forward to sending you a report and photo album.

Thanks to all of you, who supported the collection. Incidentally did you know that water is a recognised

 human right.  ?

 

Comics are also media

Thanks to all of you generous people, who have already made donations. We have raised 10,460 euros.

Ever dreamt that you reached Heaven and just before you got there the door closed? If we can raise the last 540 euros the door will not slam in their faces.

4,800 people in Kalima are hoping that a successful collection will mean they too will get clean drinking-water.

In 2014 delegates from an Italian charity visited Kalima. They came, they observed, they took lots of photos and then off they went back home again.  It was just an episode, just another disappointment for the people of Kalima.  

Payment options.

1. PayPal: If you wish to use this option, please send me a mail informing me, how much you would like to donate. chatterjeebetty@hotmail.com

2. Danes can either send money to Danske Bank BIC/Swift: DABADKKK 0274-4594628225 

OR by Mobile Pay (+4542211972). Please label the contribution 'water for Kalima 2015'

3. UEA members can send contributions to UEA-konto de AVE: avex-z 

4.KATCHELEWA KANDOLO Etienne,
  Goma, D.R. Congo
  Bank : BIAC (International  Bank for Africa in DR-Congo 

 Adresse:
Avenue Butembo, Quartier de Turisme, Goma, DR-Congo

 BIC/Swift : BIACCDKI
Account no. : 37572568701-73

P.S. The three first pictures are based (thanks Caption Distraction Lite) on a photo that I took of a charming statue in Copenhagen. It has been there since 1942 and is said to symbolise youth that look forward to a much better future. Peasant Solidarity was started by young people who are also looking forward to building a better future.

Progress report

Good morning from sunny Denmark! 

Why is Jackobo's money box looking so pleased with itself?

 

 

Sorry, no idea.

BUT

AVE's  

money-box is feeling optimistic,

because

 Some people have begun to respond to our  appeal for funds  for 

 

Peasant Solidarity.

So far we have received 820 euros.

BUT

We still need to raise  4,180 euros.

SO

Please send us a contribution!

 Click  here to find out how you can pay it.

Have a good day!

P.S. If you would like to make me feel more optimistic, please share my blog.

Water for Kalima 2015.

The 22^nd February 2015 I posted information about last year's successful campaign to improve the deplorable drinking water situation in Kalima, Maniema Province in DR Congo.

The water supply for far too many of Kalima's residents. This is why they needed and still need our help.

 Here is an excerpt of the report:

''The drinking water project was successful and we sincerely thank all our benefactors: Stiching Voor Internationale Komunikatie, Foundation WKV. AG, Asocio de Verduloj AVE and private contributors. As a result of your generosity a small part of Kalima now has clean running water. Nobody could have ever imagined this before. Certainly the need is enormous, but we hope, that little by little one day the entire town will have clean running water. Understandably we hope, that you will still want to stand by Peasant Solidarity, so that we can together make the lives Kalima's residents happier.

On behalf of Peasant Solidarity /PIEADC. Etienne KATCHELEWA KANDOLO Chairman.''

Please read the full report, as PIEADC's achievement is very impressive.

It was hard work. They had to hack their way through the rainforest to lay the pipes.

 

This was the end result of last year's campaign; modest  but thoroughly  clean and healthy.

 

This year Asocio deVerduloj AVE has applied once again to Foundation WKV.AG for a grant for the third stage of the clean water project. The total cost for this year's plan is approximately 10000 euros. AVE is optimistic that the foundation will once again grant them help. However even if they do, there will be a shortfall of 5000 euros. AVE has launched a new collection campaign, so once again I am appealing to your generosity.

 Please help! 

 All contributions great and small are very, very welcome.

Payment options.

1. PayPal: If you wish to use this option, please send me a mail informing me, how much you would like to donate. chatterjeebetty@hotmail.com

2. Danes can either send money to Danske Bank 0274-4594628225 OR by Mobile Pay (+4542211972). Please label the contribution 'water for Kalima 2015'

3. UEA members can send contributions to UEA-konto de AVE: avex-z

Membroj de UEA povas sendi kontribuojn al UEA-konto de AVE: avex-z

Water for life progress report.

The last entry was dated 28th August 2014. After  thanking the few people that had contributed to the appeal, I added that  the grand total was 400 euros.

Fortunately this was not the only help they got. The following organisations helped them very generously, so in the end they received 10,000 euros:

  Stiching Voor Internationale Komunikatie, Foundation WKV. AG, Asocio de Verduloj AVE. 

                         Although this was less than they asked for they made good use of the money.

                                        BEFORE young girls walked a long way to collect water.

 The good news is, that 10%  of Kalima's residents have NOW got access to clean water near their homes.

The bad news is, that 90% of Kalima's residents still do not have access to clean water, and too many young girls make long and risky journeys to collect unsafe water.

If you are interested in this matter, please read the chairman's report which follows and my previous posts about Kalima. 

 Here is the chairman's report.

ACTUALIZATION OF THE PROJECT 13.11.2014 - 27.01.2015.

In order to solve Kalima's drinking-water problem once and for all, Peasant Solidarity decided to launch an appeal for a project, estimated to cost, at the most, €1,000,000, that would ensure pure drinking-water for all the residents. However as Peasant Solidarity did not receive the entire sum, we decided to use the money to solve part of the problem. Choosing CAMP CENTRAL district as the beneficiary we estimated that 3000 residents would get pure drinking water. In other words - 10% of Kalima's residents would get a safe drinking supply. The € 10,000 grant was spent on materials, transport and salaries for technicians etc.

The project's phases.

1. 13 – 18.11.2014. Peasant Solidarity searched for and chose the most suitable well-spring and route from the source via General Hospital to Camp Central, where we intended to place the taps. Peasant Solidarity chose a source at OMARI CHAMI.

2. 25.11 – 5.12.2014 The second phase involved finding the pipes previously used by Society Sominki and determining their condition. As there is a long way between OMARI CHAMI and Camp Central finishing the project would only be feasible, if at least some of the pipes were still in good condition Thanks to Sominki's previous employees, who knew exactly where the pipes were located, this went well. Public Health officers tested the water at OMARI CHAMI and confirmed that it was perfectly satisfactory.

3. Purchase of tools and other materials (pipes, cement, adhesives, taps, pickaxes, shoes, knives and spades etc.) and digging trenches for the water pipes. Alphonse WASEKA from Goma kindly bought and dispatched the purchases. Ten young volunteers from Kalima dug the trenches and transported the materials. In order to safeguard the pipes from accidental damage that could occur on arable land we laid them in the forest.

4. The fourth step was to lay the pipes, connect them and check the water pressure. These operations were supervised by plumbers and other technicians.

5.

Technicians connected the pipes between General Hospital and Camp Central. During this operation we discovered that some of the pipes, that Sominki had previously installed, were contaminated. So to avoid polluting the water supply we had to buy extra pipes.

6. Construction of the public water-station at Camp Central. Three weeks later, when the walls had dried, we connected the pipes and the water began flowing rapidly.

7. 27^th January 2015 we invited the mayor to attend the inauguration ceremony for the public water-point, and the families finally turned on the taps and drank pure water.

III. PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE

Peasant Solidarity employed two plumbers to check the water pressure and professionally supervise the project. In particular their help was essential to cope with a blockage that occurred midway. In addition Peasant Solidarity employed two builders and four assistant builders to construct and tile the water point.

IV. RESULTS

We renovated the water-point at OMARI CHAMI, which had previously never worked, and we fortified the pump that serves General Hospital in Kalima. The hospital now receives abundant water and residents in Camp Central, Kiswakal, Camp Famille, Avenue Mapendo as well as some others in the vicinity now have got clean running water. We estimate that 800 families or 3000 people have benefited.

V. DIFFICULTIES.

90% of Kalima's residents are still facing the drinking-water problem. After installing a clean water supply in Camp Central many people asked us, why only there in Camp Central? Why not in our neighbourhood? In short, they are jealous of Camp Central's residents and they are angry with Peasant Solidarity.

As necessary materials were not available in Kalima, we had to buy them in Goma. Due to the non-existent road or rail infrastructure in the areas these goods had to be airlifted, which of course was very expensive.

Bank charges for money transfer were high.

VI. FINANCIAL REPORT

Grant: $11671 (message from Alphonse WASEKA 28.11. 2014)

No	Use	Kosto	Sume
1	Materials( Plastic and iron pipes, lubricants, adhesive, taps, etc.)	5724
2	Materials building( Bricks, sand, gravel, wood.)	1226
3	Transport costs from Goma-Kalima-Kalima	1979,6
4	Salaries(Plumbers and builders)	1500
5	Meals for volunteers 20 days.	600
6	Miscellaneous expenses volunteers	30
7	Hire of camera	50
8	Inauguration ceremony	100
9	Internet	64
10	Alphonse's travel expenses in Goma due to purchases	40
11	Bank charges	348,1
12	Total expenses Balance:	11661.7 9,3	$11671 €10.000

VII. CONCLUSION

The drinking water project was successful and we sincerely thank all our benefactors: Stiching Voor Internationale Komunikatie, Foundation WKV. AG, Asocio de Verduloj AVE and Betty Chatterjee. As a result of your generosity a small part of Kalima now has clean running water. Nobody could have ever imagined this before. Certainly the need is enormous, but we hope, that little by little one day the entire town will have clean running water. Understandably we hope, that you will still want to stand by Peasant Solidarity, so that we can together make the lives Kalima's residents happier.

I. RECOMMENDATIONS

To all our benefactors and to those of you who have not supported Peasant Solidarity, I should like to draw your attention to the fact that € 80,000 would enable us to provide Central Kalima with clean drinking water. Our organization is tiny, but we are really convinced that we can achieve a great deal, if only we can get modest support. Come and visit us and see for yourself what we are capable of.

On behalf of Peasant Solidarity /PIEADC

Etienne KATCHELEWA KANDOLO Chairman.''

 

Your help will make all the difference.

Peasant Solidarity is certain now, that they will get 6000 euros from Wasserkraft Volk AG and AVE. 

What they hope for now is to get another 4000 euros so they can gp ahead and provide safe drinking water for at least some of the Kalima residents.

How many people would benefit?

They would start by providing water for an 8 square kilometer neighbourhood in the centre of Kalima called Munyangi. It has 48000 residents.

If they get the 4000 euros I have been appealing for,  it will mean that 80000 Kalima residents will get an amenity that we take for granted - clean drinking water.

 Please help! All contributions however small are very, very welcome. 

1. PayPal:  If you wish to use this option, please send me a mail informing me, how much you would like to donate. bettychatterjee68@gmail.com

2. Danes can send money to Danske Bank 0274-4594628225. Please include label 'water for Kalima'

Encouraging News!

After receiving some very despondent messages  I have just got some  encouraging news from Kalima.

Wasserkraft Volk AG, the German firm that sponsored Peasant Solidarity's water project in 2012 has promised them another 5000 euros.

 In addition A.V.E. the (Esperanto equivalent of Friends of the Earth) is giving  them 1000 euros. 

 6000 euros will not solve all their water problems, but it will  improve the situation for more  Kalima residents.

Below is a UNEP photo of one of Kalima's  less than perfect water sources.
 

<< In Kalima, Maniema Province, the Baganda spring box combines several features of poor construction and maintenance including: reduced flow rate, damaged spring box cover, sediment build-up and clogging of the drainage ditch, lack of fence enclosure and upslope footpaths increasing erosion and contamination.>>

This collection looks as though it is going to be depressingly  modest, unless I get a few more contributions.

1. PayPal:  If you wish to use this option, please send me a mail informing me, how much you would like to donate. bettychatterjee68@gmail.com

2. Danes can send money to Danske Bank 0274-4594628225. Please include label 'water for Kalima'

Please help! All contributions however small are very, very welcome.

Campaign continues.

Today I started a Facebook page to promote this campaign.

Here is what I wrote:

''Recently, one of my Esperanto-speaking friends from DR-Congo told me about the problems in his home-town, Kalima in Maniema Province. He then asked me to help him raise money to help solve the most pressing one; the lack of clean drinking water.

Although I already knew the dry facts about high infant mortality, malnutrition, lack of clean drinking water, rape, illiteracy, corruption and desperation in DR Congo, hearing about them from somebody living there, brought these facts painfully home to me. There were two options:

Either to make a few sympathetic comments before finding an excuse to finish the conversation, Or to agree to try and help him.

I chose the second option.

My Congolese friend Etienne Katchelewa is a university trained agronomist. During his student days, he and some of his fellow students founded the association Peasant Solidarity. whose aim was, is and will be to promote socioeconomic and agricultural development in Kalima and the surrounding area. In spite of their very limited funds, they have promoted fish-farming, animal husbandry and courses on improved agricultural techniques.

Peasant Solidarity's top priority for 2014 is to provide safe drinking water.
Only 2,6% of the 136,000 of Kalima residents have access to clean drinking water.

Infant mortality due to waterborne diseases is about 35%.

In most countries it would be the State's responsibility to ensure that citizens do not die from drinking dirty water. The organization REGIDESO has a monopoly for providing drinking water in DR Congo, but unfortunately it does not operate in Kalima or in Maniema Province. So if Peasant Solidarity cannot solve the problem, who will?

Etienne has drawn up two plans with an estimated cost between 247,047 and 861,906 euros. The first plan would provide safe drinking water for part of the town and the second one would solve the problem for everybody.

Has nobody helped them so far? Fortunately, yes.

In 2013 the Association of GreenEsperantists gave them 380 euros which enabled they spent on improving a number of their fish- ponds. Local residents are now able to buy locally produced fish and the modest profits have helped Peasant Solidarity cover other expenses.

In 2013 a German firm, Wasserkraft Volk AG gave Peasant Solidarity 3000 euros, which they spent on drinking water installations for Kalima General Hospital and the surrounding area. It was the first step towards completing their ambitious but absolutely essential project.

It would be a dream come true, if enough ordinary people, like you and me, made enough contributions to raise the 861,906 euros necessary for fulfilling their most ambitious plan.

However let us be realistic. Nobody ever climbed Mount Everest in one day. My primary, cautiously optimistic goal is to raise 4000 euros by1st September 2014. The total so far is 185 euros.

Some of the most kind-hearted people in the world cannot afford to make donations. If you cannot afford to make a contribution, please help the cause by telling your friends and family about it. Of course contributors are welcome to do that too.

Please let this appeal go viral!''

When I began campaigning I suggested that people could contribute by Caremaker. This is still a possibility, but you can contribute in other ways too:

1. PayPal:  If you wish to use this option, please send me a mail informing me, how much you would like to donate. bettychatterjee68@gmail.com

2. Danes can send money to Danske Bank 0274-4594628225. Please include label 'water for Kalima'

Let's make a dream come true - Water Is Life - DR Congo

When I chose the slogan 'Water is Life' I did not realize that this was also the title of a video about the water situation in DR Congo. Although it was not made in Kalima, it shows the same kind of problems.

              

If you are a new reader you might care to read my two previous blogs about this topic. Water is hope and Dirty water is death, clean water is life.

Assuming that, as Peasant Solidarity had managed to solve the local hospital's water problems with the 3000 euros they received last year, 4000 euros from us would enable them to do even more. Some days ago I asked Etienne how 4000 euros would improve the water situation in Kalima.

Etienne Katchelewa's reply:

''What could we do with 4000 euros? Last year's donation of 3000 euros was enough to solve the hospital's problem, because there was an existing well. We bought a new pump and replaced the worn-out water pipes. The hospital's immediate neighbors benefited too, but if we tried to extend the network by merely adding new pipes, the hospital's well would be insufficient to satisfy the needs of the new consumers. So it would be a waste of your money to even try.

To tell you the truth, we need at least 240000 euros for a viable water project. However 4000 euros would benefit our fish-farming or our rice and maize projects. Thank you for trying, but we pray for a benefactor capable of giving us the 240000 euros.''

Not always, but often people start praying for a solution only when they have exhausted all other possibilities. I have not reached that point yet. Peasant Solidarity needs either the support of 24000 people willing and able to donate 10 euros or financial support from an established charity or socially conscious firm.

Clean water means a great deal  for their progress and well-being. My goal is to help raise money for Peasant Solidarity's water-project; but, if we cannot raise enough to do the job properly, then certainly it would  boost Peasant Solidarity's secondary projects: fish-farming and agriculture.

Peasant Solidarity's Committee. Etienne Katchelewa is sitting on the far right.

How is the campaign going?

30 euros so far. We need 497 donations of 10 euros and there are 138 days to go before the dead-line 1^st September.

One of my friends mailed me yesterday afternoon to say that she had not been able to make contribution,because of a technical fault on the Caremaker site. I immediately got in touch with the webmaster, who promised to look into the problem.
They have just got back to me, here is the explanation.
'' It happens when people use an old version of Internet Explorer. So either update it or use Firefox, Chrome or Safari'.

All contributions gratefully accepted. Please let other people know about this campaign, Let's make a dream come true!

Water is hope.

I never, ever have to worry about where my next glass of water is coming from. 

 

When I am thirsty, I go into the kitchen, turn on the tap, fill my glass with  water and quench my thirst.

 I never have to ask myself, whether it will give me diarrhea or worse. Our water is clean, easily available and I take it for granted. 

 

The situation for people in many other parts of the world is completely different. 

 

Etienne Katcheleva is one of my Esperantist Facebook friends. Some time ago, he told me some of the hard facts about the water situation in his home town in the still troubled eastern part of the  Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

According to a report issued by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): ''The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) possesses over half of Africa’s water reserves, yet 74 percent of its population – or approximately 51 million people – lack access to safe drinking water.'' 

 

Etienne, who is an agronomist, comes from a small town called Kalima , which lies 100 kms northeast of Kindu, the capital of the eastern province of Maniema. When Etienne was a student, he and some of his friends started a N.G.O. called Peasant Solidarity. Their aim was and still is to combat poverty by encouraging more and better horticulture, fish-farming and animal husbandry. However their number one priority is the provision of water, pure uncontaminated water for the everybody in the area.

 

Etienne told me that only 2% of the 136000 residents in Kalima have access to safe drinking water. The rest have to depend on untreated water from badly maintained reservoirs and other unsafe sources. Etienne told me, that last year 34% of the infant mortality rate was due to diarrhea.

 According to local custom, young girls collect the water, and they have to walk a very long way to find it. It is not just hard work, it can also be dangerous, because sometimes they are attacked and raped en route. As it is a taboo subject,  it is difficult to tell how big a problem it is.

Etienne has drawn up a plan to provide safe drinking water for the people in Kalima. The only snag is  money. He has proposed two schemes. The first one, would provide safe drinking water for part of the town at a cost 247,047 euros and the second one, which would cost 861, 906 euros, would solve everybody's problem.

Last year,  thanks to Associationof Green Esperantists  and the German company

 Wasserkraft Volk AG ,  Peasant Solidarity received a grant of  3380 euros, which covered the cost of water installations for the Kalima General Hospital, and a few of its immediate neighbors.

They have applied for grants  from other firms and organizations, but so far they have been unsuccessful. Possibly you are wondering why a governmental agency does not step in to help them. Well, REGIDESO which has a monopoly of drinking water in DR Congo does not operate in Kalima or in the province of Maniema.

 If you would like to read more about the history of this NGO Etienne's blog has been partly translated into English and the blog's numerous photos speak for themselves. 

For further information or to make a contribution please  get in touch with Peasant Solidarity

 Etienne Katchelewa:  pieadc2006@yahoo.fr

Tel:+243 998735042.

http://kamparanasolidareco.weebly.com/

addresses

PIEADC

City: Kalima No. 29, District: Munyangi, Country: DR Congo