Rainwater harvesting in Uganda
Practical Action
the other is left free to allow it to be lifted off and water removed. It is held down with bricks
to prevent it blowing off.
Outcomes
Construction
The Project achieved the construction of tanks during various visits with the involvement of
local people, and a number of volunteers were trained in the construction methods for the
tanks.
Education
Training was offered to either people who had had tanks built for them or for people who just
had an interest in learning new techniques. The training focused on techniques for either
applying water more efficiently to kitchen garden crops, or for conserving water present in the
soil. There was a lot of interest generated. The response from the trainees (which
demonstrated that the level of horticultural knowledge present in the population varied)
supported the UK teams belief that horticulture training is an essential part of DRIP work-
particularly the efficient use of water.
The DRIP rally has been held to spread the message of DRIP, involving a march followed by a
series of speeches on the system. The speeches covered a wide range of subjects including
DRIP. There were also MDD presentations and comments from local dignitaries.
The intention of the Sports Day was to provide a centre for conversation about DRIP, and to
bring together people who might not otherwise be reached. This was why netball particularly
was chosen, to mobilise a larger female audience.
Benefits
The following letter was received from our main contact in Pallisa
“Thanks so much for thinking about the poor communities in Uganda. As I have been telling
you about how DRIP has become a topic everywhere to the extent many people like RDC,
CAO, Women groups from different places, Youth groups, HIV/AIDs groups, LC5, LC3, LC2,
LC1 and others have come to me/written to me/called me to their offices because some were
there when we launched DRIP at PRCs offices. They moved in those areas where we built the
tanks & have seen how people have stopped buying vegetables. From the very small kitchen
gardens, they have managed to pay school fees for their children. There is even a lady who
bought land worth 1,000,000 from those very garden earnings, so they are asking me for help
for the poor communities, for AIDs victims, the Youth who left school and have nothing to do
etc…..”
DRIP Uganda
info@dripuganda.co.uk
http://www.dripuganda.co.uk/home.html
DRIP is a small team of volunteers, based near Liverpool in the UK. The team
that went out in 2006 and 2007 were three people, with varying backgrounds and
skills- including engineering, chemistry and projects. The team funded the first
trip themselves (flights, transport, accommodation, food, security etc). with some
small donations made for specific items to be provided. In 2007 the same team
went again, this time with funds raised specifically for purchasing the systems
and providing some additional projects- the team again paid for all their own
expenses.
This document was written by Andrew Herod of DRIP Uganda in February 2009.
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