By K. R. McDonald | Project Helper
“With our work over the last three months, and your financial assistance, we have successfully completed our basin – which is just in time for the rainy season.” Marie Joe stated as she stood in the rain watching the basin collect the water. She added: “The raindrops are my tears of joy!” It is July 2016 and the rains are here filling our new rainwater catchment basin in Kamsi.
Rehabilitation of the Kamsi rainwater catchment basin began with the strong mobilization of the population – all 4,500 residents. Villagers enthusiastically organized working with the Give Water Give Life team to develop and manage the basin that would provide water year round. “We have worked for three years to get to this,” said Phillipe, a 66 year old grandfather of five boys and three girls. “With water, all of my grandchildren can attend school. We are so very pleased.”
Once the trowel was turned by David Young, representative of His Excellency the US Ambassador to Burkina Faso, on January 27, 2016 in Kamsi, the construction began. Engineered drawings were the guidelines for a basin capable of holding 8,000 cubic meters (about 2.1 million gallons) of water. Satellite imagery was used to properly locate the basin over the water aquifer. Design, materials, contractor, and equipment rental were paid. Responsibilities and work were shared by all. The big hole was dug. Large boulders, stones and other materials were collected for the side walls, the emergency spillway, and the basin interior. Residents’ sweat equity completed the job. Farmer Zerbo explained: “It is hard work that makes us strong, but it is knowing the correct way to build a basin that makes it worthwhile – having water all year is our goal.”
The rainwater catchment basin in Kamsi is ready and already being put to good use. Recall that the rainwater catchment basin in the village of Kamsi is a public good, so everyone has access. There are agriculture cooperatives in the village: "Noong-Taaba" is one with over 200 women members. The youth coop "Teel-Taaba" has 144 members. Both groups are good examples of how working the plots of land near this basin is so beneficial..
The 200 women maintain a community garden of 2 hectares (about 5 acres). They cultivate vegetables during the dry season (cabbage, onions, tomatoes, peppers) and cultivate cereals (maize, millet, sorghum, beans) during the rainy season. Beth, president of the women’s coop, has gathered six women near a well in the middle of the garden. Elena, pulling water from the well using a pouch tied to a rope to fill a five gallon bucket, says with a beautiful smile: “Water, I do love what it creates,” and proceeds to water her onions. Another gardener, Elicia, says: “My three children can go to school because of this basin. Having water here in our village allows my girls to attend school. If we had no water, they would be spending their days scavenging for water from long distances. They truly prefer school, as do I.”
In addition to agriculture, the women's group of Kamsi is also divided into smaller groups. Some sub-groups are in the manufacture of "soumbala" or "Shea Butter"; others raise cattle and do animal husbandry; and still others develop small businesses. Photos below show the Kamsi women’s group preparing agricultural plots under the direction of the village agriculture agent.
Other photos illustrate the plots of land already growing. We can see the growing onion plants. We also note the strong presence of women on the site - sign of their clear desire and their total commitment to the cause that is theirs: "Rely on the rainwater catchment basin of the village to do market gardening and to have food crops that improve our daily diet and have income for supporting the education of children in the family. " said Beth, president of the women's group.
Each rainwater catchment basin provides enough water for a village of 2000 to 7,500 people, and costs less than $45 per person served. The best design is ours that makes it possible to have water in each village every day of the year! Our dream is to build a rainwater catchment basin for at least half of the 8,000 villages in Burkina Faso, enable each village to grow their own sustenance, and to eliminate starvation It is possible with the support of special individuals and organizations who provide the funding.
Each of us appreciates you.
By KATHLEEN MCDONALD | Project Helper
By Seydou Traore | Executive Director of Community Building Group
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