Dear Tloma Giving readers,
Now that I have been here in Tloma for two weeks and have seen what is really happening on the ground, I would like to give all of you a report on how we got to where we are, what the current situation is, and what things look like going forward.
Many of you became connected with this project, as I did, through visiting the area on safari before COVID-19 came along and decimated the local economy. Others have become involved at home, purely through the outgoing nature and enthusiasm of our president, Winona Perry, and our secretary, Dr. Jonna Holland.
When my wife, Sabine, and I were introduced to the Tloma Primary School on our Safari here in 2018, we encountered Winona who had been here six months earlier. She was so moved by her experience that she and her husband, Bob, returned shortly thereafter. She was volunteering at the school during the time of our visit. I have often remarked that my wife and I came here to experience the scenery and the animals, which were magnificent, but truly the most amazing experience was our connection with the people.
At the end of our visit to the school, Winona took our group aside to offer various ways we might be able to help the students with the serious obstacles that they faced. Perhaps we could purchase a bicycle, buy some supplies or food for the kitchen, or pay for some uniforms. She then mentioned an idea that had been brewing in her mind. What was really needed most was fresh, clean water. We were shocked to hear that the school was relying on mostly surface water for drinking and washing, although they were occasionally (and inadequately) supplied with water from the local water agency. Winona had looked into the matter and found that she could commission a drilling survey to see if there might be water on school property that could supply school needs.
Beginnings of the Well
As a physician, I know clearly how important clean water is to the health of a community, especially the children. So, to me, this was a “no brainer“. I approached Winona after her talk and told her that I would love to fund the survey and possibly even help fund the drilling of a well. She and I have often looked back on this moment, realizing this was a decision that has changed both of our lives and hopefully will change the lives of the wonderful children of the Tloma community.
A survey was undertaken, and a couple of promising sites were identified. The first well was drilled in 2019 on school property. To our great disappointment, the yield from this well was clearly insufficient to supply school needs or even the needs of the school garden. I suspect that Winona felt that this was probably the end of the project. I, however, felt differently. I grew up in Denver Colorado in the 1950s and 1960s when Colorado was a smaller sibling of Texas and a minor oil center. Although none of my family or anyone I knew was ever involved in the oil industry, I’ll always remember the saying, “You keep drilling until you either get what you’re after or you run out of money“. I felt that I had another well’s worth of money left, and reassured by the fact that other generous donors were joining in, we decided to forge ahead.
The next two years were spent by Winona diligently searching everywhere to get a more accurate and reliable survey. Also, over that time, it became apparent that partnering with the school financially was not practical. The original plan was that we could obtain enough water to not only supply the school, but also be able to sell the remainder, and use the profits to benefit the school. Whatever the reason, it was clear that school managers would not be able to manage the fiscal requirements of the enterprise. Hence, a separate entity would be required. Free water could be provided to the school, but water sales and distribution of profits would have to be placed under separate management.
But first, we needed a productive well! Three promising sites were detected near the school. Since the likelihood of finding water at all of them was about equal, we chose the location that was the least complicated to acquire. Bob and Winona purchased the property (about 2/3 of an acre) in 2020, and by early 2021 we were able to start drilling. We got a “gusher” in April 2021 at 200 meters, 50 meters below where we stopped the first time. An encouraging 20,000 liters were pumped in a little over one hour. This meant that we could plan the next steps.
First came the fairly simple process of installing the appropriate plumbing, building a well house, putting in storage tanks, and creating a garden on our plot of land with the intention of turning it into a “demonstration garden“ to show local villagers modern and efficient gardening methods. A Dutch donor financed a pipeline to the school and, together with Tloma Giving, installed some holding tanks. We began pumping water to the school by the end of the summer of 2021.
Tloma Giving Tanzania Is Formed
Next came far and away the most complicated steps; those of navigating the tortuous administrative and regulatory process. In Tanzania it is necessary for a local entity to run a water business, not a foreign entity. This can be either a for-profit business or a not-for-profit organization. Of course, we chose the latter, with our local partners becoming members of the board of directors along with Winona, Jonna, and I. I will spare you the details, but the tortuous steps in the process have finally been overcome and we now have a local nonprofit named Tloma Giving Tanzania. Part of my work here has been to assist in setting up a business structure and accounting system. A bank account will soon be established.
We have met with an overwhelmingly positive response from community leaders and individuals in the governmental administrative positions, but identifying and complying with specific written regulations has been challenging. We were given a plot of land to establish water vending stations for the sale of our water, but just recently, a neighbor has challenged this, insisting that the piece of land is his property. We attended a very interesting community meeting, held on the site last week and supervised by elected local leaders and government department heads, along with some police commanders. About 25 participants from the village were present. They listened to “testimony“ from the neighbor who claims that this property is his, as well as our local representatives, and a few interested local citizens. The decision on who this property belongs to is now in the hands of the authorities, and we are assured not only that we will prevail but that we will get an answer soon. Meanwhile, we will look for available land nearby that we can purchase through our local nonprofit and control it without restriction.
Creating An Economic Base for the Community
Earlier in my stay here, I, Winona, and our local partners met with two men from the local water authority. Again, they were very supportive of our project, but pointed out that water regulations require that profits be returned into further development of the water source. That means extending pipe lines, adding and improving water storage, and the like. Although “social programs“ (and it’s unclear whether providing free water to the school is considered a “social program”) are acceptable, there seems to be a specific proscription against “economic development“.
Our plan is to turn water sales profits into improving the economic base of the community, where at least 40% of the population cannot even afford to buy water. We want to create a small economic center where locals can be employed to make and sell products. Examples include “Happy’s Hen House” for egg sales, “The Soap Ladies” who are making soap for the local market as well as to sell to the local lodges, a group of seamstresses and sewers to make school uniforms and serve other tailoring needs, and providing space for local craftspeople for sales to passing tourists. As with all public regulations everywhere, variances are always possible, and we are applying for a variance on this.
Regarding the “vending stations“, we are awaiting a bid from a local provider to install water dispensers common in this area, that are paid for by individuals who put money on a token that they insert into the dispenser, whereupon they withdraw water, usually into a 20L container. This works kind of like a debit card, where you put money in ahead, and as you receive the product, money is deducted from the card. We hope to use solar power for these dispensers, with electrical backup. We may also install tanks to fill water trucks if we have enough water production from the well.
In my “spare time”, being a physician, I spent several days at the local medical dispensary. More about that in another missive.
As I leave to return home, Winona will be here for another week. We’ve been assured that final decisions about the vending property and our permits are imminent. But, in this land of “pole, pole” (slowly), “hakuna matata” (no worries), and “inshallah” (if God wills it), I wouldn’t be too surprised if this drags on a bit longer.
Any further outlay for equipment and installation, as well as build-out of the vending site, are contingent upon getting all of the permits needed to operate. We have an engineer drawing up plans for the vending site and water storage structure. Since our original goal of providing water to the school has been realized, if worse comes to worst over our expanded goals, we can always stay where we are and supply water to the school and to our garden. But then, what about the large percentage of people here who simply can’t afford water?
As enthusiastic as we are about this undertaking, Winona and I are always happy to answer questions and receive comments and suggestions:
Winona Perry: tlomagivinginfo@gmail.com
Jim Swallow: jswallow@mcn.org
Once again, thank you all for your generous support!