Qash WaterAid Project Visit

After leaving Arusha this morning for the WaterAid project visit, our team were relieved to see that the rains had stopped but the bumpy jeep journey was lengthy and did cause a few upset stomachs. We were a bundle of nerves as we approached the village but our spirits were uplifted by school children in their colourful uniforms making their way to school.

The Qash villagers welcomed us like old friends and invited us to attend their local water meeting afterwhich they showed us to their new water pump. A little under a year old, the pump services 300-400 people and is located about 500 metres from the village. The pre-intervention dirty water source was 3 kilometres away. Because the new pump has made such a massive difference to the community, the villagers are now more productive in their day-to-day lives. The new, clean water source is much closer to home and the women here have become better farmers, and ultimately more self reliant, because their time is now spent working and not walking to collect unsafe water. The children who used to accompany their mothers in collecting water are now attending the local school where a new sanitation block (provided by WaterAid and local partners) has rejuvinated attendance numbers and given new hope to the parents that their children may have prosperous futures. 

When asked what she would choose if she could have anything in the world, a spokeswoman for the villagers said: "I would wish for another water pump to serve the other communities in the region because of the difference it makes to people's lives, and because of the difference it has made here."

We visited the local school, which has approxiamtely 600 pupils, sitting down in small groups and chatting with the children. We were deeply moved that they understood clearly the vital importance the hygiene lessons served in their peer-to-peer mentoring group, where they teach youngsters who aren't yet in school the importance of hand washing and using soap. They explained that more children could now attend the school and they no longer worried about falling into the old open pit latrine because the new toilet block was safe and clean. The teachers at the school were thankful that the new block is not only high quality, but more importantly, structurally sound.

A 'hands-up' display at the school showed us that the children were in agreement. All approved of the new toilets.

We were impressed and overwhelmed by the children's positive outlook and we were able to  donate a supply of soap to the hygiene club and paper and pencils to the school. Some of the children volunteered that they wanted to be Doctors, teachers and soldiers when they grew up. They told us they love coming to school and we were in no doubt that the were all extremely thankful for the chance to attend. 

Our drive back to Moshi was long and our jeeps broke down along the way. Luckily alternate vehicles were arranged and we didn't miss our briefing about starting the climb tomorrow. It's now late evening and the group is excited and nervous about beginning the Kilimanjaro ascent. We're in good spirits and keen to get going tomorrow. We're expecting to walk for 6-7 hours through the course of the day.

The project visit has left us exhausted but upbeat, moved by the human impact of seeing WaterAid's work.

The day has been a brilliant eye-opener and we're all feeling empowered and humble in equal measure. The Qash people really are incredible and deserve all that they have. They are truely hardworking and we should all look to them as examples of overcoming poverty. 

Over & Out. 

Kili Challenge Team