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Tanzania, Africa

TAN02 - Mazingara Village Water Development

• View report dated: August 27, 2019

• View report dated: May 5, 2022

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Report Date: March 3, 2021

Update from BHW Tanzania Partnership Facilitator

Recent Events

Activities

Not a lot has been happening in the last 18 months. The last time BHW personnel were there in September 2019 it was discovered that the borehole that had been dug in April 2019 was a lemon. The borehole company that drilled the well took it upon themselves to shift the location of the bore from the site agreed to and identified by the hydrological survey. They drilled, found water and left saying that the bore was 190 metres deep. They were paid for 190 metres of drilling. 

When BHW personnel arrived some months later, after a lot of testing of water they realised a number of things were not right. Two major things became quite clear: 1) the borehole had been drilled to less than 130 metres and water quality was very poor. It was not usable for human or animal consumption or even for irrigating crops and 2) the two key BHW contacts had had a major falling out and their relationship was not functioning at all. Fortunately, the relationship with the village leaders was still intact. 

Some of this is referred to in the previous report written by Brendan Harkness.

Of course, this made further progress impossible in the short term and then with the onset of COVID-19 it has been impossible to progress the project. 

 

Partnership's Influence within the Community

This project has the potential to totally transform the community so it is very sad that the unfaithfulness of people is causing the current situation. 

 

Present and Future

We have not been idle in the interim. There have been several steps taken to ensure that this project is not completely derailed. 

One of the partners we were working with has been asked to step aside so that progress can be made. It is unfortunate, but necessary.

Fabian, the local guy, has taken up liaison with the village and is trying as best he can to stay in touch with them to reassure them that we have not abandoned them. 

BHW has been in touch with Water Mission based in Dar es Salaam and is negotiating for them to become involved in the technical aspects and the community training of the people when we are able to recommence. 

The BHW partnership facilitator for this project will be going there as soon as it is possible to travel to finalise a plan. Nothing much can happen until that time. 

BHW is still committed to making this happen and to push through the issues and barriers that have become evident so far. These people need water, development and the Good News. 

 

Current Issues and Challenges

There are numerous:
1) That BHW personnel can get there as soon as possible.
2) That Water Mission will be willing to take this on as a project and supervise the next phase.
3) That the village will remain positive in their attitude towards this project.
4) That broken relationships will be healed. 

 

Prayer and Praise Points

1) That this project will have a positive outcome in the long term and deliver all it was intended to
2) That there is still good-will in the village
3) That Fabian has stepped up to the liaison position and is communicating well

 

Comments

It would be very hard to walk away from this although the disappointment of the failed borehole and the way the borehole drillers ripped us off left a very bad taste in our mouths. Robert has tried his best to trace the company but they are very elusive. We have talked to people in Kenya about trying to prosecute them for fraud but on advice feel that it would be futile despite the fact that contracts and agreements were obviously broken.

I feel we should continue progressing this to a positive conclusion although it is going to mean starting all over again. The key will be getting Water Mission involved and we are hopeful of that.