Mweteni, Tanzania
Water for Mweteni
Thanks to all Marie-Stella-Maris supporters we have been able to support the Mweteni water project in Tanzania. Around 1.900 people will have improved access to clean drinking water. The project involves the construction of a gravity scheme which brings clean water from a high altitude source at Heikeyu down to the different villages around Mweteni. The Heikeyu water gravity scheme is part of a larger program involving the implementation of five similar systems in the Mweteni region, the first of which (around the Hemvera spring) was successfully completed in 2011.
Facts & Figures
Status: ACCESS REALIZED
Location: Mweteni, Tanzania
Project: a gravity scheme from the Heikeyu source
Number of people: 1.900
Local partner: Women for Water Partnership & Tegemeo Women Group
The Impact of Water
Partner Organization
Women for Water Partnership (WfWP) is a global alliance of 24 women’s networks active in the field of poverty reduction and sustainable development. The member organizations are women's groups from around 100 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe and the Caucasus. WfWP is particularly focused on the social and economic development of women by aiding in their basic water and sanitation needs. At the same time they also contribute to sustainable development, food security and the position of women in their communities.
Slideshow
Local ownership
The community of Mweteni isn’t part of the government water plan. Because the water situation has become increasingly grim, the Tegemeo Women Group (TWG) took the initiative to ensure access to clean drinking water for its people. They gained the support of the whole community and its leaders as well as district authorities and the national government.
Sharing of knowledge
The government sees the WfWP and TWG water & sanitation project in Mweteni as a prime example of decentralized and participatory water management. The Same district wants the project to expand to cover the entire district. To share their knowledge and experiences, both within and outside their community, the women in Tegemeo Mweteni built a water & sanitation communications centre. Here they provide the community information and advice about sanitation and hygiene.
Self sufficiency
The project is not limited to providing clean drinking water. TWG has developed a strategic plan to prevent further deterioration of the catchment basin and water pollution as well as improving health through good sanitation and hygiene. A water committee is formed and residents contribute towards the maintenance of their own facilities. The improved water supply enables women to spend more time for other things.
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