The Popplewell Well - Bringing Water to the Maasai

Several years ago, Team Kilimanjaro were approached by representatives of the Maasai community that live close to the Lake Natron region of northern Tanzania, with a request to assist villagers in obtaining clean water.

The cause of the problem is that since the 1950's the Maasai people have been compelled by the demands of animal conservation - initially on land subsequently designated as "Serengeti National Park" and thereafter from what is now the "Ngorongoro Conservation Area" - to migrate away from historic grazing pastures to arid areas, such as the Great Rift Valley basin.

The area that we have identified as being in greatest need, where the only available water is found in pools that form after rains and which become quickly stagnant, is Wosiwosi. In this area there are 4,000 villagers who have no access to running or clean water.

This year, however, it looks like the Maasai may finally get a borehole and clean water, following incredibly generous pledges and donations from a family and churches in the US!

Location

This location marked with a pin on the following map is where the hydrological survey has determined that water should be drilled:

However, the required depth is estimated to be some 150 metres and with therefore require a powerful solar station and pumps to retrieve the water. This, and the increased costs of operating so remotely, necessitate very high costs being met.

Costs

The following are the lowest costs we have been quoted. Readers are invited to advise whether it is believed that any savings may be made by contracting a competent alternative provider: