World Vision Tanzania Water Project

Through the generous support of our doctors AUSSTAT/Kiwis STAT has been supporting World Vision with their work in Magugu, Tanzania.

In the World Vision New Zealand-supported Magugu area development programme (ADP) in Tanzania, access to water for both household and agricultural use has been a challenge. The Magugu ADP is located in semi-arid lowland, one of the driest areas with the lowest production potential, unless irrigated. Only 23 per cent of community members have access to potable water. Villages lack an adequate water-piping supply system and people depend mainly on rainwater from unprotected natural water sources (i.e. rivers) and traditional wells, which carry the risk of water-borne diseases. In addition, women and girls can spend hours walking to collect water. This keeps them from productive activity and going to school, while agricultural and economic activities are impeded by the lack of water.

World Vision introduced a three-year Rehabilitation of Water Supply Project to help improve the Magugu community’s quality of life by providing easy access to a sustainable and safe gravity-fed water system. More than 15,000m of pipeline will be installed. To satisfy future demand for water, the project design provides sufficient water for a projected population increase over the next 20 years.  

What difference will the project make?

• Increase access to water for households, schools and clinics 
• Improve personal hygiene and sanitation 
• Reduce walking distances to collect water 
• Increase crop production and vegetable cultivation, and improve children’s nutrition 
• Increase families’ household income as a result of increased agricultural and economic activity 
• Empower community members to manage their water supply systems   

Community participation and collaboration

Community participation is fundamental to the success of this project. World Vision, the Babati local district council and the community have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the project. Community members will contribute their labour and locally sourced materials. They will also participate in water boards and water-user groups to manage and maintain the water sources.  

Water improves crop production and families’ nutrition

One of the projects implemented earlier, included the renovation of irrigation canals to provide water for agricultural purposes in Matufu village. Mr Hamisi Pingika, chairperson of the Matufa village water-user group, had the following to say: “On behalf of my fellow water users and farmers, I would like to thank World Vision for its assistance in renovating the canals. We used to cultivate 240ha of land. The renovation of this canal has helped us cultivate an additional 80ha, because of the reliability of water for irrigation. Production has also improved from 18kg/ha to 25kg/ha. This means sufficient food and more income for us, as well as better nutrition for our children. World Vision has changed life for me, my fellow farmers and our families. Water for our crops is everything.”