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.

Fishing for life

 Peasant Solidarity has got other important projects.

 

Fish-farming  is one of them. 

 

There are 36 fishing lakes. 

 

Free access for all. 

 

It's women's work!

 

See other videos about Kalima and Goma

 Whatever they catch is a vital supplement to their families diet.

 They sell the surplus in the market.

P.S. In 2012 World Association of Green Esperantists gave Peasant Solidarity their first grant of  just under € 1,000 for tools, which the N.G.O. used to repair and improve the fish-ponds.

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.

When will it be our turn?

In 2013 98% of Kalima's residents did not have access to clean piped water.

In 2015 90% are still without it.

 

In 2013 and 2014

 two successful water projects gave 8% of Kalima's residents piped water near their homes. 

 

 

So 8% were jubilant.

and 90% were resentful,

The 90% ask: 

''When will it be OUR turn to get piped water in OUR street?''

That is also why Peasant Solidarity's 3rd clean water project is vital.

Please support them.

Here is my video message with background information. 

 

 

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 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

Bridgebuilding after the 14th and 15th February

The horrific events of the 14th and 15th February shook Denmark to the core. As horrific events happen every day of the year in many other places, here is a brief reminder. A Danish born IS supporter in two separate actions, at a cultural centre and at the main Copenhagen synagogue,  killed two innocent people and injured five policemen. Here is a more detailed summary.

Coming to terms with the fact that we are threatened by extremists is not an easy process either for individuals or for those, whose job it is to protect all citizens.

What was the reaction afterwards? There was a great deal of sympathy for the victims. The police have  given greater protection to Jewish institutions Many people reaffirmed that we are all Danes and that liberty of speech and minority rights are inalienable  Danish values.
Ordinary Danish Muslims, who have no sympathy whatsoever with extremism, were horrified by the events. Muslims too are in the minority in Denmark and it is a fact that Islamophobia as well as anti-Semitism are evident in Danish society. Muslim Danes  took the initiative to organise March 15th's Peace Ring.

Another project that was started as result of the events is United Colors of Denmark.

Asim Iqbal is its initiator. He interviews and takes photos of people of all ages, from all walks of life and from all communities. He does this,  because he wants to show that Denmark is multi-cultural society and whoever we are and wherever we come from we all contribute something to our country. It  is not his first bridgebuilding initiative: See 30 Days of Ramadan.  There is also an excellent I-pad app, that enables you to follow the progress of a non-Muslim, who decides to fast too. It is not free, but the proceeds go to charity.

Hopefully Asim will soon conjure up more interesting and worthwhile projects.

The following is a translation of Asim's status update in Facebook. (Today 18.04.2015)

''Everybody wants to do something or other.
Then why don't they practice what they preach?

If we really want to do something for Denmark,
Why don't we do more for it ourselves?

If we are really concerned about each other,

why don't we help each other more?''

This of course brings me back to the water situation in DR Congo and in particular in Kalima.

10% of Kalima residents have got access to clean running water.  

90% of Kalima residents  have not got access to clean running water.

Ideally PIEADC needs 80000 euros to provide drinking water for the  90% in Kalima  that still only have access to contaminated water.

A Congolese friend living in South Africa has just posted two very explicit videos of South African mobs burning African immigrants. 

Why do people decide to emigrate? Often because life is unbearable in their home-countries. They leave, only because they want a better life for themselves and their families.This flight will not stop until living conditions improve in their home countries.

Etienne Kachelewa and other founders of PIEADC have stayed put in one of the most troubled parts of the world, because they want to improve  life there, not just for themselves, but for their fellow citizens too.

80000 euros is a lot of money. They cannot raise it themselves. I can only give them a fraction. However if there are enough individuals that are willing to each give them a donation, it could happen.

 How many of you out there are willing to give them a helping hand?

What could you buy for $230?

What could you buy for $230? 

That of course all depends on where you live. 

Previous blogs have been about the water situation in Kalima. However Peasant Solidarity are involved in other projects too.

 Last year they invested a donation of $230 in giving micro-credits to five women: widows and unsupported mothers. PIEADC  made it clear to the borrowers, that repaying the loans would ensure that other women would get a chance to start small businesses. By the end of the year seven other women were given a chance to help themselves.

Etienne Kachelewa (chairman of Peasant Solidarity) together with one of the first group of borrowers.

Peasant Solidarity spokeswoman.

As a result of a very modest donation and the tenacity of one tiny N.G.O in one of the devastated regions in the world twelve women's lives are just a little bit better today.

Here is the report, which I hope will inspire a few more people to help them.

 All contributions, great and small, will be warmly welcomed.

Even if you cannot send them a contribution, please forward this appeal to others.

Borrower's name	Loan date	Loan	Repayments	Loan purpose
Adolphine MWAYUMA KAMANGO	14-06-14	$70	27/8/2014 - $10 27/9/2014 - $10 27/10/2014 - $10 27/1/2015 - $25 27/3/2015 - $5	Sale of ground-nuts & palm oil.
Matisho KWIDEMBA	14-06-14	$50	27/8/ 2014 - $10 27/9/2014 - $6 27/10/2014 - $4 27/1/2015 - $18 27/3/2015 - $12	Sale of fish
Tcheusi BATELE KALEMA	14-06-14	$50	27/8/2014 - $10 27/9/2014 - $7 27/10/2014 - $10 27/1/2015 - $12 27/3/2015 - $10	Sale of beef
Evée SULULU	14-06-14	$30	27/9/2014 - $5 27/10/2014 - $5 27/1/2015 - $10 27/3/2015 - $4	Sale of fish
Mangaza	14-06-14	$30	27/8/2014 - $ 5 27/9/2014 - $4 27/10/2014 - $4 27/1/2015 - $7 27/3/2015 - $5	Sale of kasava flour
Atosha KAMANGO	06-12-14	$15	6/2/2015 21/3/2015 - $7	Sale of fish
Mwamini MARTHE	06-12-14	$15	6/2/2015 21/3/2015 - $10	Sale of fish
MPALA BITUNGANO Thérè	06-12-14	$15	6/2/2015 21/3/2015 - $6	Sale of fish
Hélène MÈRE DOUBLE	06-12-14	$15	6/3/2015 21/3/2015 - $4,5	Sale of fish
MULASI ASSAI	06-12-14	$15	6/2/2015 21/3/2015 - $6	Sale of fish
MIMPILINDA KAMANGO	06-12-14	$15	6/2/2015 20/3/2015 - $12	Sale of fish
OMANO MARIAM	06-12-14	$15	6/2/2015 21/3/2015 - $3	Sale of fish

http://kamparanasolidareco.weebly.com

pieadc2006@yahoo.fr

Danish residents can send money to Danske Bank 0274-4594628225.

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.''

 

The grand total.

28.08.2014.

The grand total for this collection is 400 euros, which I have sent to the NGO Peasant Solidarity. 

I should lke to thank the five generous people that have helped me raise money for this cause.

400 euros is a drop in the ocean, but fortunately generous donors in Germany have promised them 5000 euros.

Should anybody be interested in helping these people get what most of us take for granted and often waste - i.e. clean water you will find all the relevant information in the previous blog articles.

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'