Karen Blixen Camp Trust supports first step of drinking water project for the Marianta community

05/11/2019

Initiated by the Trust, the international NGO Water Mission has developed a proposal that could ensure clean drinking water for 1,500 people. KBCT has donated the first 1,000 USD to support the project.

The lack of clean drinking water is a growing and serious problem for the 1,500 people living in the Mararianta village and the surrounding communities based closed to the Karen Blixen Camp in Mara North Conservancy, Maasai Mara.

In close collaboration with the Mararianta Water Board, the Karen Blixen Camp Trust asked the international NGO Water Mission for assistance. Water Mission has now developed a proposal, describing how the local community can get clean drinking water all year round.

The proposal is described in a report that has been handed over to the Mararianta Water Board for further discussion in the community.

The Karen Blixen Camp Trust has also donated the first 1,000 USD to this important drinking water project. The donation has been transferred to the Water Mission for the community to use, once they have decided to proceed with the project together with the Water Mission.

The Mararianta Drinking Water Project Proposal
After thorough analysis of the drinking water situation in the area, the Water Mission suggests a rainwater catchment facility solution like the drinking water facility set up for the Maa Trust in Olare Motorogi Conservancy in the Maasai Mara. The rainwater catchment facility will consist of a 2,000 sq. meters of roof catchment capable of harvesting 2.7 million liters per year. The water will be stored in 500,000 liter capacity. This will ensure enough water between seasons. The plant is designed to supply clean drinking water every day to the 1,500 people living in and around the Marianta village.

The project proposal suggests that the facility will be set up close to the Commercial Center in Mararianta. It is important though that the large facility is adapted to nature to protect wildlife and should blend into the environment as much as possible. In order not to spoil the landscape, the area around the water harvesting facility must be planted with trees. Karen Blixen Camp Trust is ready to donate 3,000 trees for this purpose, once the facility is decided on.

The project proposal includes a business model, suggesting that the community members pay a small fee for the clean water, thus ensuring funds for maintenance etc. This will also ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.

The hope is, that this water facility will be funded by various foundations and private donations as well as local and regional funds.

Potential donors are very welcome to contact the Mararianta Water Board. The Trust is ready to assist you with contact info. Please contact us at info@karenblixencamptrust.org