Iringa, Tanzania

Iringa, Tanzania
Iringa, Tanzania

We are constructing clean water and toilet facilities in three villages in the Iringa province of Tanzania with funding from the Skoll Foundation. We used the Movement and Action Network for Transformation of Rural Areas (MANTRA) model that Gram Vikas (India) has implemented in the state of Odisha, India. The work will be carried out in the proximity of Ulete’s Parish, which is 50 km from Iringa. Initially three villages will be part of this initiative.

Name of Village Distance from Ulete Population Number of families Children
1 to 10 Years		 Youth
11 to 35 Years
Lumuli 9.5 km 4,720 565 1,070 2,150
Kibena 11 km 4,275 496 970 1,840
Kitelevasi 24 km 4,670 520 1,106 2,394

The Issue

The incidence of water borne diseases is very high in this area. More than 80% of all illnesses are due to the use of bacteriologically contaminated water. This is caused, to a great extent, because of fecal contamination. To overcome this problem, safe sanitation practices are required by all families. A toilet and bathing room will be constructed for each family in the participating villages.

The Solution

The geography of this area is very hilly and gravity can be used as a source of energy to transport water. Three perennial springs on higher elevation than the villages have been identified. There is abundant water in these springs and the water is free from bacteriological and metallic contamination. The water from these springs will be brought into an elevated water reservoir and distributed by newly constructed pipelines to each family. Each household will have three taps: one for the toilet, bathing room, and kitchen. A meter will be connected to each family’s connection, and the operation and maintenance costs will be recovered based on the volume of water consumed.

Status Updates

June 30, 2021

Gram Vikas India responds to the COVID-19 crisis in India. Please check out our latest post on the developments in this area.

November 16, 2016

Gram Vikas USA team visited the villages of Kibena and Lumuli to check on the progress of toilet constructions.

December 1, 2015

Work is being done to finish an additional 50 toilets and bathing rooms.

November 22, 2015

100 toilets and bathing rooms are completed.

October 13, 2015

The elevated water reservoir is completed.

January 11, 2014

The villagers and various Gram Vikas USA personnel work together to construct the needed toilets and bathing rooms.

November 7, 2013

Gram Vikas USA visited the village of Kibena to oversee and to help the villagers make progress towards the completion of the project.

June 15, 2013

Work started in the villages to construct a ditch to direct the flow of water, a reservoir to store the collected water, and the toilets.