(1) The typical yellow water containers are 10 liters (approximately 2.6 gallons) although larger ones are also in use . . . tough to carry larger one very far. The EWB estimates water requirements at 3 – 5 gallons per day, but I think this number is much higher than what I have observed. Figure half that, so family of 6 uses 15 gallons/day (still is probably high for potable use)

(2) 32” on a 200 sq ft roof = 3840 gallons, so theoretically 256 days worth spread over the 2 rainy seasons. Two of the fish totes will hold 500 gal, or 33 days supply without rain

(3) We hope to get the containers donated as used shipping containers. Retail cost of unused fish tote is US270 and fittings and mosquito mesh about US$13, 20’ of gutter (if using 4” LW PVC sewer pipe cut in half) $12 plus another 10’ of 2” for downspout at $5. SO, we have about $30 in parts, not counting the containers. If we go with smaller containers (60 gal bulk dry material) the number of fittings goes up.

Mike Williamson

Here’s the post: http://christybrewer.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/bank-on-rain-catching-rain-for-clean-water-in-africa/

Thanks!! How are you all doing on connecting dots between getting shipping containers and delivery?

Transport from Kilgali to a demonstration village site could also be shared or provided in the same truck used to transport equipment to be used on an engineering project in the region. Linking with a non-profit that could provide on-goin local participation and assistance once the systems were up and running would be ideal. If such connections are available in other countries (Malawi?), we would certainly be interested in considering other options.

One pilot Millennium Villages program is in Rwanda, a country that has been wracked by genocide and civil war. But the current government, at both national and local levels, has been very cooperative, which minimizes the corruption and lack of transparency that can sink development efforts.

“In Rwanda, it happens that we have a window,” says Josh Ruxin, a public health expert and project director for the Columbia Earth Institute’s effort. The project provides support in health, education, and microfinance throughout the country. But Ruxin notes that the local village committees decide which area receives priority. He also says that there is a “hands-off approach” when introducing new technologies—perhaps not entirely different from the barefoot idea.

“We’ve got a team of 45 people, and everyone is Rwandan…knowledge is available locally,” Ruxin explains. “People know what needs to happen, but what’s lacking is resources.”

By injecting those resources into Rwanda and using the country as a proving ground for the project, Ruxin and his colleagues hope to maintain an uninterrupted stream of funding. The goal is that communities gain enough traction to become self-sustaining in two years. Ruxin and others expect that once appropriate knowledge and resources are used efficiently, the project will expand rapidly to district, provincial and finally national levels.

At what point do we start telling stories of villages impacted by the catchment systems? Who do we know (I’m thinking of Geno Church here) that can help communicate those things that will help villagers understand how to adapt to change?

So many thoughts… for now, I think I’ll take Mike’s numbers and crunch them into something that’s meaningful on this side of the pond… Maybe that’s more my place in this.

What if the people on the ground in Rwanda were to network with other NGOs to see if there are synergies that can be leveraged to provide systematic or whole solutions to problems identified on the ground. Cultural sensitivity, as you have noted above, is essential here.