The
Maasai Association is delighted to announce that the 9 Kilometer
“Merrueshi Fresh Water Pipeline Project” has
been completed.
Over
2,000 people, 5,000 livestock, and an estimated 2,000 wildlife
(zebras, giraffe, wildebeest, etc.) now have clean and fresh
water. Also, the pipeline is providing water to the Merrueshi
Primary School and the newly builtMaasai
High School free of charge.
The
Merrueshi Fresh Water Project is another step forward in
the efforts of poverty eradication through the sustenance
of livestock production, and food security. With fresh water
available, the community has witnessed improvement in community
health, food production such as milk, cheese, and meat,
and – hence increase of income per household among
members of the Merrueshi community and neighboring villages.
As
with the local customary tradition, the community has selected
a committee that will oversee the management of their new
water system. The committee will ensure that every farmer
respects the rules of water use set forward by the community
at large.
The
water pipeline will be self-sustainable. Maintenance and
operation cost is the responsibility of the community, with
each herder paying a small monthly fee per cow for the service.
The local management committee will hold collected funds
and will repair the pipeline when the need arises. The community
has the capacity to manage their water source efficiently
without external supervision.
The
Merrueshi Fresh Water Project was commissioned in an all-inclusive
and participatory manner between the Maasai Association,
community elders, women, and youths. The pipeline project
was completed in one month after the start date.
Special
thanks to Ema and John Scherer for helping us cut the trench
for Merrueshi Fresh Water Project.
