Save The Rain

After a couple of challenging days in the field for our operating director, Kelly, we get to see the hard work finally pay off! 

 We will let Kelly tell you the story:

 This morning I awoke excited. We had scheduled a 10 o’clock meeting with all the head teachers of all the schools we had worked with in the area. It was to be held at the Namballa School which was the first school project we ever did.  I awoke early and prepared for the meeting – writing a questionnaire that when answered, would be filled with avenues of vital information that would help us improve.

 I spoke with Ranger Safari and they delivered two new spare tires for me and took the old one away. I was relieved that the tires would no longer be a problem.

 When Anna arrived, we went to collect the head teacher from Patandi. Her name is Hilda and she is an incredibly compassionate and powerful woman. Upon arrival at Patandi, the children rushed to the car. They kept touching my hand and then pointing to the tire. I got out of the car and the tire was almost flat. My frustration started rising. We went to a gas station and filled the tire. I did not want to leave any unnecessary openings today. I wanted the teachers to have all of my attention and appreciation and now we were late. When we arrived at the Namballa school, we were almost an hour late. No one was there. My disappointment was huge. The teachers had all been called that morning to reconfirm. Then the news came that Rachel, one of the most successful head teachers in regards to a Save the Rain project called to say she would not be coming. Rachel had a hysterectomy last year and struggles with her health from time to time. I offered to go and get her, even though it would take me another hour to go there and back. She said that she would send someone else. There was something about the disappointment that put me over the edge. It was now close to noon and I felt like failure was looming. So I did what I do so naturally. I cried. I thought about this war that we are fighting and how so few adults in this part of the world are fighting along side us for their children. I looked at Moses and thought about changing the whole direction of the organization. Anna reminded me of the school children at Patandi. How much healthier they are and how they pointed out my flat tire. She said to remember who we work for but she too had lost her patience. We left for Maweni to collect the teacher.

 When we arrived back at the Namballa most of the teachers were there. I put all my frustration aside and moved into the meeting. The first question I asked was about the successes. I asked the teachers to tell me the success stories that the clean water had written. One by one, they shared the most incredible news. I cried again but these tears were different. They were the tears of victory because every school is having the same results:

 Namballa – In 2009, 82 kids in standard 7 - 82 kids going to secondary school.

Kikwe – In 2009, 58 kids in standard 7 – 55 kids going to secondary school.

Maweni – In 2009, 28 kids in standard 7 – 28 kids going to secondary school.

rainwater test results from the schools

Karangai – In 2009, 39 in kids in standard 7 – 39 kids going to secondary school.

And it goes on and on….

 I was floored. Their enrollment has increased, their attendance is amazing, the children’s health has been elevated to a different caliber, their educational performance is remarkable. In almost every school, the numbers of kids continuing their education is almost at 100%. Every teacher agreed that this had only become possible because of the rain water tanks.

 We talked for three hours about the places where we needed to improve, protocol that they needed to instill, ways we could help and ways that they could help themselves. There was a teacher who had, at one point for a short period of time, locked the community out of the rain water system. I explained to them the spirit of the kichakuro, the squirrel – an animal that hoarded. I told them that if they did not share the water, the children would suffer. A child that gets clean water at school but not at home, can get sick from one sip. By sharing the clean water with the villagers, we ensure the children will continue to flourish. Then we went on to create a maintenance plan, an improvement plan, a governance plan, an educational plan, a farming plan, and a sustainability plan.

•  The maintenance plan came about because the teachers are not receiving the help from the village leaders as we had hoped. So we created a plan where by each of them would purchase small items to keep at the school. Things like taps and valves – things that can break when there are thousands of children around. We created a plan that involves a rotation of students who will weekly be responsible for cleaning the tap stations so that no debris is left around. We created a plan where monthly they would check their gutters and filters. Everyone who felt unqualified to do the maintenance will receive additional education before I leave. I asked each head teacher to name a mason that worked on their project. Each of them did and felt comfortable enough to call upon their named mason when they needed something repaired. Each of the masons named had children that attended the school. If something big happened, each of them knew they could call Joseph and we would figure out the best way for Save the Rain to help. So the maintenance plan got sprinkled with more self sufficiency.
•  The improvement plan came about when I asked about the failures, the pieces of the project that needed adjustments. One teacher brought up that every morning 2 clean buckets filled with rain water are deposited in every classroom. But the schools do not have enough cups for every child to drink from. Sharing cups proposes a health risk so I asked each of the teachers to give me the student head count, wondering if we could buy the cups. But when the head count tipped the scale over 6000, I knew that with our current money situation that would not be possible. So we decided to give every classroom an extra bucket. Each school will purchase antibacterial soap for every classroom. Each classroom will now receive three buckets every morning – two for drinking and one for washing. So the improvement plan got a splash of personal accountability.
•  The governance plan came from the discussion around the kichakuro. Rachel, the head teacher from Maweni who was absent, never runs out of water. She keeps one tank on lock down for the students and one tank open for the community. She explained to the parents that women should come and collect drinking water only. The community is clear and never without clean water.Every head teacher adapted this practice to one degree or another. I think it came from the fact that no one wanted to be considered a squirrel. They began to refer to a selfish nature as a kichakuro. I realized that I think I may have just coined my first swahilli phrase! The teacher that did end up representing Maweni did say that the women are excited and waiting for us to begin the women’s water initiative. That thrilled me to no end and left me knowing that this new governance plan would ensure these children’s future in ways I have only dreamed of.
•  The farming plan is really exciting. All the school farms are weeks away from tilling the soil and planting their crops. I have been trying to implement the passive irrigation and surface water collection portion but in some communities the farming committees have met with challenges. In this new plan, all the head teachers are meeting in Mbuguni and we will do an entire day workshop on passive irrigation. The teachers decided that when the time comes to till the soil, they will make it mandatory that the class 5 and class 6 learn these new methods. This ensures that the next generation of Tanzanian farmers knows how to harvest the rain. Talk about sustainability!!!! This leaves me with goose bumps!!! Just close your eyes for a minute and imagine a world where no child ever knows thirst or hunger!! Amazing.

 The last point of the meeting was about sustainability. I asked the teachers if they would be willing to meet every three months to discuss their progress and their challenges. They agreed and decided that they would rotate schools for the meetings so that the travel would be equally divided. They agreed that the next meeting would be held at Karangai. The teacher from Tengeru commented on how far that was for her to travel. She looked at me and asked what I would do. I answered her in a way that I never had. I asked her if she knew about turtles. She looked at me a little cockeyed. I told her that a mother turtle lays her eggs and then leaves. A baby turtle must find their way on their own or die trying. I explained to her that Save the Rain was the mama and she was a baby turtle. We were not leaving her but she needed to find her way on her own. I told her  she could either commit or not. I let go and put it back on her plate. It was risky and had she not taken up her sword on behalf of her kids, I would have found another way. But she did!!!!!! Not only did she stand up for her kids but the rest of the teachers started to refer to her as Kasa mtoto. Baby turtle.

 I spoke with them about clustering schools together for this sustainability plan. Then the roof came off the classroom. They started to talk so fast amongst themselves that I could barely catch a word of this beautiful sing song language. When they finally stopped talking to catch their breath, Hilda spoke on their behalf. She apologized for their disrespect in the morning, for keeping me waiting when I had something so important to share. She asked that I please know with all my heart that they stand alongside me, that any enemy of mine, is an enemy of theirs. She said that if any window allows darkness to come in, together we would find a way to close it. She informed me that they decided they would form a committee – the water teachers. Every time a new system was constructed in their cluster, they would gather together again to educate the new head teacher as to what works and what needs to be watched for. She said they would call the department of education to witness the completion of every project so that once and for all the government would know what progress they were making on their own. They would gather every three months and organize the travel together to reduce the cost for any one teacher. She went on and on about all their plans to raise themselves up and improve the lives of their students.

 I cried big huge baseball tears in celebration of their victory. They laughed at my joy and looked upon me differently. I realized then that when I cry, I am no longer a white American woman, I simply become another human being caring deeply for well being of their children.

For more information and to donate to Save the Rain visit our website at www.savetherain.org

We are so glad to report that the project in Mbuguni is moving forward beautifully.  We are also happy to report that Save the Rain is now the proud owner of a SKYMARK ARROW 150CC off road motorcycle. This is a wonderful step up and a leap in our journey.  Now Joseph, one of our project managers, will be much more mobile to check up on projects in progress after Kelly is back home.

 Now… more from Kelly:

Shared a shower with a spider that was half as big as my fist. I put a glass over him, hoping he could hang out there while I washed. Would not think to move him as he was a little too big for my comfort zone. I named him Hank and we talked for a bit while I washed. Sometimes the nights get lonely. When I finished I removed the glass and he hung out there for a while. I prayed I had not hurt him as any life that survives here deserves a shot. By morning he was gone and I guess he did not like my conversation as I have not seen him since. I have now gotten into the habit of checking my towel before using it…just in case.

  Most days, the Macrocosm is so clear. There are no personal agendas, no amount of service that seems too great. With Moses ( Anna and Joseph’s adopted son) it always feels like the Macrocosm collided with the Microcosm. In my heart the lines blur. Moses has malaria, chicken pox and hook worm. He fell asleep on me during a meeting and soaked my shirt with his sweat. I was in bliss and truthfully, I wanted nothing more than to drive to the airport, get on a plane and take him home to protect him from the challenges of life here. But then the rains came and they created this booming symphony on the roof. I handed Moses back to Anna, walked out into the rain and let it wash clean the distinction. The rains are upon us now and they come daily in fervor. I know that I must come from the lineage of Mother Nature, as I truly love it more than anything. Every night I fall asleep to thunder and everyday we work in the rain. It creates interesting experiences and definitely some challenges. I often think of how I so look forward to the day when the funding flows as freely as the African rain does.

The rains have created transport issues. The roads into the Mbuguni village are terrible and when the rain comes they flood. I never knew a Land rover could swim but I do now! Driving to the village literally means driving through water that is sometimes up past the tires and into the car door. When I drive through it, I know to put the car in lock differential but I literally hold my breath until we are through. Finally we found a Roman Catholic secondary school that is very well funded and has clear roads to the main road out of Mbuguni. When the school said we could use their road for the remainder of the project, I felt my blood pressure lower substantially.

One thing that alleviates all my pressure is pay day. I love pay day. There is something that gives me great satisfaction to pay these men for their hard, honest work. They have so much gratitude and desire to learn. They also have just the sweetest nervousness. We have a pay voucher system. It helps keep track of the pay cycles but it requires everyone to sign their name on the voucher as they receive their pay. Most of them cannot read or write and it is always so sweet to watch them as they sign their name. It makes them feel so official. One man said that he has “Maji ya tumbo” –  water in his belly at the thought of signing a document.  It is precious. By the end of the project, they sign like pros. But in the beginning, it is a big deal. And there is also something about the first pay of a project that is like no other.  After they sign the voucher, I always shake each person’s hand. I tell them how grateful I am for their effort, their sweat and their willingness to learn.

 Once or twice a project, we work into the night hours. The rains had delayed us by an hour or two  and the foundations for two of the three tanks needed to be laid. So we did what we always do, we worked mixing concrete by the headlights of the car. We blared Anna’s cell phone radio and pretended we could hear the music over the sound of sand and gravel mixing with lime and cement. All 23 of us danced under the African night sky and laughed until we hurt. No one complained or looks to lessen their labor load. We work gleefully and it really is a celebrated joy. There are small pleasures that music brings to hard labor that is really indescribable. I decided that we were in need of a radio on the job site and would pick it up the next day. Theses men have so little and this simple small pleasure was easy to provide. I was happy, so happy….

 Until my heart crashed into a million pieces…

 Standing in the shadow of flying buckets and spattering concrete was a boy. His name is Leobahati. I was surprised that his parents would allow him to wander at that hour. I asked him how old he was – knowing that he must be somewhere around 12. He answered that he was 5. “5!” I said. “You can’t be five.” I knew in that instant that truly he did not know how old he was. I asked him where he lived and he told me he lived with a teacher. ” Do you go to this school?” No, he replied. “I do labor for the teacher in exchange for food and a small amount of money.” “Where is your family?” I asked. ” And how come you don’t go to school.”

 He proceeded to tell me a story about how when he was in the second grade, the school came to his father demanding his school fees. His father did not have the money so his education ended.

 ”Can you read?” I asked.

“No” he replied. My heart cracked a deep fissure, as I stared at his face.

 School fees run about $7 a year. I was floored that the teacher has not even taught him to read. How could people allow this to happen? Anna asked him if he had any plans.

 He went on to say that he would like to go to school but realizes that it is unlikely. So his alternative plan is to save enough money to buy a goat. Then he will get the goat pregnant and take it home to prove to his father what he’s worth something to his family. I kept apologizing to him. People had given up on him, that people had given him up, that no one stopped and demanded he be entitled to a childhood. If there was a Social Services to call I would have. But there are not and I was painfully reminded that he is simply one of millions.  Apologizing is something that this culture does regularly. It is customary to apologize to someone for their work day, for a long trip or simply for getting through the day. I wanted to apologize to Leobahati for his life. Instead I will arrange with the head teacher how this $7 a year tuition can get covered. Even then, he will be a twelve year old in grade 3 and the error of his parent’s ways will be forever imprinted on him in one way or another.

 I looked away to wipe a tear from my eye and caught the wire reinforcement for the second 50,000 liter tank being delivered to its new home. I turned to get Leobahati out of the way but he had disappeared into the night.  

 The work day finally ended but the celebration was not as sweet for me as there was a piece of Leobahati that had stuck to my heart.

 Saturday was an amazing day as when we arrived at Mbuguni the guys were well on their way adding the rebar to form the roof and the weld mesh and chicken wire. I love this part, as it is when things really begin to take shape. You can see it in everyone’s faces. This is when they truly understand the shear size of these clean water tanks. Excitement tends to fill the air and consciousness seems to elevate. It got even better when I presented them with a radio that has volume levels that everyone can hear. It would seem that boys are boys no matter where you are in the world. I would have assumed that they would have put on music to groove their work to. No – the football match blared for the portable speakers and they cheered for their teams as they worked away.

 There was a group of women playing a game that is partially soccer, partially basketball and partially something I have never seen. Kids had gathered around to watch. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a girl with a water bottle in her mouth. She was sharing it with a small child. From a distance I could not make out if it was tea or soda. When I got closer, I realized it was water. Before I had a chance to say something, another young kid turned to us both and said.

“Mama Mvua (mother rain), shkamoo. (a greeting of respect) Miriam, do not drink maji chaf. (dirty water!)” She grabbed the bottle and poured out the contents.

 I cannot take back the sips that she took or the bacteria that is inevitably crawling around her stomach but we can celebrate that she and her peers now know that something better is coming. That rise in consciousness is worth celebrating.

For more information on Save the Rain or to make a donation go to www.savetherain.org

We will be happy to have our Operating Director, Kelly back home in California in a couple of days.  However, we recognize how hard this must be for Kelly, as she has to say goodbye to all of our family in Africa.

From Kelly:

The rains are coming down in a way I have never seen. It has been non stop since last night. It puts a few wrenches in my day but I try to stay focused on tanks filling. 

For the last 3 days, the moment I awake, my heart is beating a mile a minute. I have said before that in this work, my heart is broken everyday. I am fine with that. But this racing feeling, I truly believe is in anticipation of leaving. I believe I will sustain a heart break on Monday like I have yet to experience in my lifetime. Not only because of Moses but because there is so much work yet to be done.

 But there is no stopping that train, so we move forward acknowledging the successes and the challenges.

 The project is moving forward beautifully, wire reinforcements are finished and two coats of plaster are on the large tanks. The system will be finished in about 3 weeks but will begin to collect clean water in less than 2. The need for the work becomes even more apparent in the wet season. Everywhere you turn, there are funerals – for children and the elderly, who are unable to sustain the whiplash of the water crisis. In the last week alone, we have had to reschedule 6 meetings with people who were burying children. When I drive out to Mbuguni, the river is overflowing and it resembles a charging vomit colored bull headed for its target. Fields in Mbuguni and Mstombogo are flooded. After a short rain, while at the school, there was 3 inches of standing water as big as a lake surrounding the car. It stayed there for the rest of the day. I watched in horror as shoeless children walked around, innocently playing. I tried to explain to all of them about parasites that enter through the feet. They laugh at first unable to believe such a mystery. But there is a trust they are intuitively having in me that after a small conversation, they put their shoes back on…. thankfully.

 I think one of the most stressful parts of my day is having faith that the car can truly swim. The roads have turned to rivers. This first photo looks like a shot of a river. But it is actually taken by me out the front window of the car.

 And this next one is the view on the way home. I hold my breath as we traverse these areas. Not so much for our safety but for the shear pain I feel for the people who live there. There are no berms holding the flood back. The houses are on the same elevation as the road. With no money and no other place to go, these people sustain this kind of travesty multiple times a year. I don’t think I could have ever really believed it until I experienced it myself. The smell of waste is indescribable in some areas. I never really understood the snorkel on the side of these safari cars until now.

 Thankfully once we leave the Mbuguni and Mstombogo area, the roads are a little dryer. There are still some rivers to cross but nothing that leaves me breathless. 

 I have had some truly great highlights on this trip and a great dose of the regular despair. Honestly there are moments, when even for me, the problem seems so big. When I look at the map and all the schools we need to cover, all the wards that have yet to be done, I have moments when I feel overwhelmed. But I am learning to tell myself to shut up more often and instead look at the change we have already helped to generate. Which brings me to some of the great highlights: We are creating quite a buzz in the area. We have received letters from 12 more schools requesting our assistance just in this week alone and 10 last week. I think this came from the fact that we initiated the sustainability plan with the teachers.  Initially, when we first started to teach passive irrigation for farming to communities, we had them elect a farming committee from the parent pool. But after the meeting with the Head teachers, I realized that particular pathway created obstacles. So we initiated some changes. I wrote about the farming plan which included teaching the teachers passive irrigation and then having them teach the 5th and 6th graders. Well, we had our first farming class with them this week and it went amazingly. Once again, when the simplicity of harvesting the rain is explained to people and they embrace it, it is like watching a light show performed by fire flies. It is a bounce of recognition, of light, that illuminates the room. Joseph and I worked with the teachers in the classroom for about 4 hours and then spent about 3 hours out in the farm. That was until the rain came. Once again everyone ran for cover and I let it pour down upon me. To experience it is like nothing I can describe. It is ancient yet fresh and loving yet wicked. Joseph is a perfect teacher for the farming plan as he has had years of experience teaching organic farming. He is such a giant love and he is so good at what he does.

example of Women's Water Initiative tank

 I met with the head teacher about Leobahati. He invited me to his home. We had a beautiful conversation about our mutual love for children. As soon as the kids are back in school, he will enroll Leobahati, make sure he is housed and fed properly, tutor him so that he will learn to read and write more quickly and take him under his wing. Jeremiah (the head teacher) and I talked about how at Leobahati’s age, he is on the precipice. One nudge in either direction could send this kids reeling – either to create a better life or to become a thief. The fees are more than I though but laughable all the same. $29 is what it costs to show this kid that someone cares about him. I truly think that is all it will take to help him stay on track. It was a relief to know that Jeremiah is starting a program for kids like Leobahati. Mbuguni is one of the villages where tanzanite is mined. You used to be able to find it on the side of the road. Kids used to play with the beautiful precious gem like it was an old worn stone. When the value of the gem got well known, parents sent their kids out to find it instead of sending them to school. With the severity of the poverty here, it really does not surprise me. So the amount of kids like Leobahati are many. I was happy to hear Anna say that tanzanite is now harder to find. She believes it’s because God wants kids in school. I laughed and thought about the fact that I was pretty sure the cruise ships had something to do with the lack of Tanzanite. But I stopped myself from telling her and decided it might be better to leave her with her faith. When we were about to leave Jeremiah’s home, he asked if he could speak with me about one last thing. We strolled outside. Jeremiah lives on the border of Namballa and Kikwe. He said:  “I hope you know that I love the rain as much as you.” I smiled and he continued, “I wondered if there is a way I could harvest it at home.” I jumped like a frog. I was so happy. Jeremiah and his family are such positive influences in the communities. I giggle as I told him that his wife could participate in the initiative program. He will officially be house number 26 in the women’s water initiative. He was elated and has such an eye for what is down the road. Together we stood for a moment basking in the glimpse of a future where villagers lived without the pain of the water crisis.

 But, like I said, an equal dose of success and despair. I am sorry to report that the women’s water initiative has sustained a heartbreaking but hopefully temporary loss. Lilly, one of the smartest, most powerful and loving women I know, and one of the best teachers in our program, has had some serious health issues. She is transferring into menopause and it is not going well. She has spent weeks in the hospital and they are offering her little help. Her whole body swells and she says she can feel her blood thicken. Listening to her really reminded me of how incredibly strong the women are here. They are so regularly told to live with their pain. When I met with her, she cried in my arms. Not for the pain she felt in her body but for the pain she felt from being separated from the project. She kept telling me that her whole heart is in the women’s water initiative but her body is too weak. She said this project allowed her to be a part of something that would effect change. But her body was damming her participation. I held for a while and told her not to worry. I would find a way for her to stay connected. Please she kept saying, please. I have yet to figure it out but I will. Lilly said she thinks I worry so much because I am always trying to outsmart my enemy. She said she feels I keep multiple solutions in my pocket just incase one does not work. I laughed and thought that there was finally a silver lining for the part of me that waits for the other shoe to drop.

 Anna and I made some house calls to women who had received their systems in the women’s water initiative. With the rain, we were limited to who we could get to. A precious woman named Martha was one of the recipients. I was so moved by her gratitude. The moment we arrived at her home, she took my hand and would not let go. I had to force her just to take her picture. She fell into my arms and kept thanking me. She is a grandmother and cares for 7 of her grandchildren. She kept telling me how much she loves me even though we only just met. She kept taking my face and telling me that God would bless me for the work. I explained to her that there are many who are responsible for this project moving forward. She kept yelling that God would bless us all. I told her that I don’t do it for the blessings I will receive in the long run. I do it to balance the scales of injustice in the world now. The moment the words came out of my mouth, she pulled me into her house. I said: ” Martha, Viatu Chaf sana!” (my shoes are so dirty) She laughed at me and said the floor of her home was made of the same mud on my shoes – a little more would not hurt. She pushed me down to sit on her couch. She sat across from me and told me that I must have a cup of tea. I told her that I couldn’t because I do not drink tea. Anna went on to list all the things I don’t eat or drink. Martha looked at me as if I were nuts. She insisted that she had to serve me something. I asked her why. She said we needed to share in something so that I could consider her my friend. I lowered my head in humility. Her grace was so exquisite. I have come across this custom before but never like this. I said knew what we could share. Her eyes lit up like fire. I took her hand and said quietly. ” We could share a laugh.”" And so we did.

I am happy to report we can add two more Tanzanian businesses that are supporting our work. So not only Ranger Safari and Aim Steel Nikhil but a company that makes (of all things) buckets!  The company donated 175 clean water buckets to Save the Rain. Got to love that!!!!! The second company holds the largest African antique collection and runs a museum like heritage center.They have a charitable trust and are interested in donating. I will submit a proposal to them when I get home. They also donated some beautiful antiques that make me truly jealous that I won’t be able to participate in the auction!

Tomorrow, I have a huge job ahead of me. I am going to church! But not to pray or to reconcile. But to become the official God mother to one of the great loves of my life! I even have to wear a dress. All I can say is Lord Help me!

For more information about Save the Rain or to make a donation visit www.savetherain.org

making a 2 minute shower pledge

This week, Save the Rain has joined with Mt. Shasta and Weed High School Key Clubs to host a week of fundraising activities from April 13th -17th.  On Tuesday April 13^th Save the Rain will be giving a school-wide assembly to talk about the global water crisis and our projects in Africa. Wednesday April 14^th and Thursday April 15^th will be student-led, in-class presentations where students will be learning more about the global water crisis and can make a 2 minute shower pledge.  Friday April 16^th, we will be hosting a “Rain Run”, where students will be showing their dedication to this cause by completing a certain amount of laps around their high school’s tracks (1/4 mile) costs $15.  We chose this amount because $15 can provide a villager in Africa with water for their entire lifetime and that of their offspring.  There is no minimum amount, so whether you would like to sponsor 5 or 50 laps, everyone is invited to participate.

 The week will end on Saturday April 17^th with a huge benefit including a slide show, silent auction, yummy food – provided by the Mt. Shasta Supermarket and a live African Band. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for children 8 and under.  Please join us to help raise awareness and funds for projects that promise to save millions of lives.

6:30pm – 11:00pm Sisson Elementary School Gym

601 E. Alma St.  Mt. Shasta, Ca

Tickets are available in Mt. Shasta at Native Grounds Nursery, Spring Hill Nursery, Village Books, Snip & Save or you can go online to www.savetherain.org.

Live Music from Jujuba

“…Jujuba ignites a more primal sense of movement.  The funky,
feel-good 11-member group’s lavish use of drums creates tunes based on traditional Nigerian folk music that are sure to get you moving.” -Karla Starr, Portland Mercury August 31, 2005

Also featuring music and slide show presentation from

Luther Red

“Luther Red celebrates the diversity of life and cultures this earth offers.  We are striving to make a difference musically,  to unify people without judgment and to create a positive change for this  environment and its inhabitants.  As always Luther Red is “maintaining the integrity of real music”

Over the weekend of May 7th~9th 2010, Save the Rain held a workshop in our beautiful home town of Mt. Shasta, Ca.  The purpose of this workshop was to demonstrate the construction of  rain catchment systems similar to the style that we teach the women in Africa to build for their homes through our Women’s Water Initiative. (www.savetherain.org/wwi.htm)   At the workshop we demonstrated how to use commonly found materials and ancient / passive technologies.  We covered methods for both roof water collection and surface water collection.

For those of you who could not make it, here is some of what we covered.

Rainwater Harvesting Ethics (Brad Lancaster)

1. The Care of the Earth:

This ethic reminds us to care for all things living and non living, including soil, water, air, plants, animals, and entire eco systems.

• Harmless and rehabilitative activities
• Active conservation
• Frugal and ethical use of resources
• Right livelihood.

2. The Care of People:

This ethic directs us to strive to meet our basic needs for air, water, food, shelter, education, fulfilling employment and amiable human contact in ways that do not prevent others from doing the same.  We sustain a basic quality of life that improves our environment while enabling others to do the same.

3. Reinvestment of Surplus Time, Money and Energy:

This ethic enables us to achieve the aims of people and earth care by encouraging the extension of our influence and surplus energies to help others .

Rainwater Harvesting Principles

• Begin with Observations
• Start at the highpoint of your “watershed” and work your way down
• Start small and simple
• Spread and infiltrate the flow of water
• Always plan for an overflow route, and manage that overflow water as a resource
• Maximize living and organic groundcover
• Maximize beneficial relationships and efficiency by “stacking functions”
• Continually reassess your system: The feedback loop.

Appropriate technology (AT) is designed with special consideration to the environmental, ethical, cultural, social, political, and economical aspects of the community it is intended for. AT prefers labor-intensive solutions over capital-intensive ones, so as not to sustain high capital or maintenance costs. In practice, appropriate technology is often something described as using the simplest level of technology that can effectively achieve the intended purpose in a particular location.
Components of a Rain Catchment System:

1. Catchment Area – the surface upon which the rain falls. (roof, road, patio, hillside)
2. Conveyance – gutters, downspouts, swales and piping – the transport channel from catchment surface to storage.
3. Prefiltration – Leaf Screens, First Flush diverters, Roof Washers, Silt Basins – the systems that remove contaminants and debris,before entering storage.
4. Storage Tanks, Ponds or Lakes, Soil – where collected rain water is stored.
5. Distribution – the delivery system that distributes water to desired uses.
6. Water Treatment – filters and equipment, such as cartridge filters, UV systems, ozone, reverse osmosis, slow sand filtration, that settle, clean
   and disinfect the water.

Benefits of collecting Rain water:

• Having a self sufficient clean drinking water supply.
• A cost effective alternative source of water.
• Reduces the demand on the water shed. Helps to replenish the watershed
• Filtered rainwater is soft water with low mineral content and if done properly has low possibility of contamination
• Unfiltered rainwater is preferred by plants and trees over most well water and municipal water sources. Can increase crop production by 4 to 7 times.
• Reduces erosion, flooding and pollution caused by runoff.
• Filtered rainwater costs substantially less than bottled water.
• Water storage for fire protection.
• Tax credits and rebate programs available in many areas.

Instructions for building a residential Rainwater Harvesting System:

1.Determine roof height. Tank penetration must be at least 2.5’ below gutters. If roof height allows for the tank to be 2m high, than create a foundation that is 1.75m in diameter. Always allow for a 3” lip in the foundation. If roof height is lower than do 1.75m in height and 2m foundation.

2.Lay half of the foundation with a concrete mixture. Allow to set.

3.Create a ring out of the gi wire and connect 16 pieces of gi wire that extend 3 feet past the lip of the foundation, in a starburst fashion equally spaced.

4.On top of the g.i. wire lay out three pieces of chicken wire, overlapping the pieces by at least  4” with 3’ extending past the lip of the foundation.

5.Connect an 18” horizontal ¾” gs pipe to an elbow with a 3” vertical ¾” gs pipe to create an “L” shape. Set the pipe under the chicken wire, poking through with the vertical piece (the inlet) close to the center of the foundation and the horizontal piece (the draw) coming out over the lip of the foundation

6.Dig three 18” holes around the foundation in an equilateral triangle. Set in posts. Post are 3m in height. Using 4” nails, at 2.5m, nail horizontal pieces to create crossboards.

7.Bag dimensions are 2.5 high and 2m circumference.

8.Hang bag from cross beams securely using binding wire creating as cylindrical a shape as possible.

9.Elect a mole (person who will be in the bag to move saw dust around). Have the mole crawl inside the bottom of the tank and lay bricks on the circumference of the bag to anchor it down. Place the ladder on the inside of the bag as well.

10.Begin to move saw dust into the bag by passing them to the mole in buckets. Every 2 feet of saw dust fill, adjust so that it is equally packed and the bag is tight. You are creating a saw dust form inside the bag.

11.When bag is filled two feet from the top, remove the wire that hangs the bag and using binding wire, close the bag. Then add additional cross bars to the wooden frame closer in and hang the sealed section of the bag with binding wire. This adds additional support to the bag.

12.Clean the exterior of the bag of any excess saw dust and in an area close to the tank begin to lay out a plaster missing station. Remember only make as much plaster as can be used within 30 minutes.

13.Make a cement slurry mixture and set it in between the base of the bag and the foundation. This connects the walls to the floor.

14.Begin to plaster. First coat is very rough. Make sure when you add plaster at the floor that you are filling it so that there are no air spaces. Plaster just over the lip of the top of the bag.

15.Wrap tank in plaster and allow it to set over night.

16.Reinforce tank with gi wire, binding wire and chicken wire. Then connect vertical pieces of gi wire to the pieces in the foundation so that they surpass the top of the tank. Then wrap with chicken wire. Run horizontal hoops of gi wire on the bottom part of the tank every 3” and at the midpoint switch to every 8”. Wrap the whole tank in binding wire so that the reinforcement is tight.

17.On the outside do 2 more coats of rough plaster, making sure you scratch the plaster into the holes of the chicken wire and then 1 coat of smooth plaster. 1 coat per day and always wrapping in plaster each night for curing.

18.Remove the bricks and the saw dust and peel the bag from the walls. Clean interior well and do one more coat of plaster on the inside walls and floor. Then one coat with water proof cement paint.

19.Set in over flow pipe at the top of the tank – ¾” gs pipe that is 24” off the top of the tank and vertical is the length of the tank direct it to a needed place.

Here is some recommended reading:

Rainwater Catchment Systems for Domestic Supply: Design, Construction and Implementation
~ Erik Nissen-Petersen , John Gould

Introduction to Permaculture ~ Bill Mollison

Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds for Domestic Supply, Fire and Emergency Use–Includes How to Make Ferrocement Water Tanks ~ Art Ludwig

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands (Vol. 1): Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain into Your Life And Landscape ~ Brad Lancaster

Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond (Vol. 2): Water-Harvesting Earthworks  ~ Brad Lancaster

As a volunteer for a nonprofit that does sustainable community development work in rural South Africa I recently attended a rain catchment workshop held by Save the Rain. It was an incredibly valuable experience and one that I highly recommend to anyone concerned about local, regional or world water and environmental issues. We were given an immense body of knowledge about “how to” assess, implement and review rain catchment projects involving local communities in building structures to catch rain water. Information on surface catchment strategies, both small and large, for the developing world as well as for the developed world and our individual homes was also given. Included in the workshop were hands on experience in building a small rain catchment tank. Dylan and Kelly have years of experience that they generously and continuously shared throughout the workshop. This was a learning experience filled with fun and stories from the field that was suited for the novice as well as people who already have a body of information about rain catchment. As a novice in this arena I have come away with many resources, knowledge and confidence that these types of projects are very doable. Thanks so much, Save the Rain!!! 

Melody Long, Gig Harbor, WA

In June, Save the Rain had the privilege of attending the 2010 Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas.  Though we were slightly out of our element in the middle of the Nevada desert, the conference exceeded our expectations. We thank all of the Kiwanis members and our new friends for making our first Kiwanis convention such a warm and amazing experience.  It was wonderful to be in the company of so many people working to make the world a safer place for children. We know that the best way to create the greatest impact and help the most children is to work together.  We look forward to future partnerships and service opportunities with Kiwanis and Key Clubs around the world.   We would also like to thank our corporate sponsor, CCG for printing all of our brochures and flyers and for making this trip possible. 

Save the Rain would like to introduce our new corporate partner, LUSH Cosmetics. LUSH is a Canadian based company with retail stores all over the globe. They invent all of their own products and fragrances and make them by hand with little or no preservatives and minimal packaging. They even prove the authenticity of each product by putting a photograph of the person that made it on their containers (which are made from post-consumer recycled, recyclable, and biodegradable products). Also, they never test their products and ingredients on animals, or engage with third-party suppliers to test on their behalf.  

Our favorite product… the Charity Pot!  100% of the retail price (minus taxes) of their Charity Pot hand and body cream goes directly to worthy causes.  Save the Rain is so excited to announce that we have been selected as one of their next Charity Pot recipients. LUSH supports environmental, humanitarian and animal rights charities.  LUSH is an ethically driven company and they only select non profit partners that share those core values. That’s why they created the Charity Pot, a delightful hand and body moisturizer with the fragrance of a spring garden (although we think it smells like white chocolate – be careful not to eat your arm). Every penny of the retail price (excluding taxes which must be given to the government) goes directly to the charities they support. What an approach to philanthropy and profit - a model to be emulated. Thank you LUSH for your support, for your fabulous, yummy, eco-friendly products, and for your incredible social consciousness!   www.lush.com

Save the Rain would like to send out a giant THANK YOU to everyone that came out to support our 5^th annual garage sale! It was a huge success! Never in the five years that we have held our garage sales, has there been such a wonderful turnout of donations and purchases.  It is so magical to see the exchange of energy from one person’s trash turning into someone else’s treasure with the result being clean water for children in Africa. Not only were we able to raise money for Save the Rain, but this magic was shared. Children in India and the Philippines will benefit from the clothing donations that were made, as a representative from an organization that brings clothes to orphaned children was able to receive a giant bag of wonderful clothes.  Also, a center for the homeless based out of Mt. Shasta was able to receive some great furniture and clothes and an organization in Weed helping mentally disabled and homeless people received a large amount of left over clothes.  It is truly amazing to see how such a small amount of generosity by a large amount of people can make such a huge difference. Thank you again.

We would also like to let you all know that we are going to be heading back to Tanzania on Wednesday August 13^th. Here is a little information about the village we will be working in:

The village of Mstombogo has been selected as the site for our next project.  It has a population of 4,000 and yet only 400 children attend the Mstombogo Primary School.  It will be interesting to see the data that is collected from the parent interviews as the ratio of population to children who attend school is so small. As this primary school is the only one in the community and mining is common in the area, we fear that parents are sending their children to go hunt for Tanzanite instead of sending them to school. As the search for Tanzanite becomes more and more difficult, the risk to children increases drastically. Though it is our belief that an education is invaluable, in mining villages, it is essential for schools to provide something more enticing than scholastics alone. Once clean drinking water is available at the school, it will be interesting to see how significantly the enrollment increases. It is what makes this project so important – not only will the presence of a large scale rain catchment system provide clean drinking water, it will also provide the inspiration to get children to attend school.

Mstombogo has other great challenges as well. Driving through this community, the abject poverty and dramatic drop in any economic development is apparent. Almost every house is constructed with dung bricks and a thatched roof.  If the roof is made of metal – it is scrapped pieces that have been salvaged. Mstombogo is situated in an extremely flat part of the region and neighbors Mbuguni, the location of our last project.  Similarly, three major rivers converge just uphill from this community and so flooding becomes such a serious issue.  Each time it rains heavily, it is common for there to be about 2 to 3 feet of standing water throughout the entire village including the school. Because of this, the children suffer tremendously. Each time the floods occur, the school must shut its doors for weeks until the flooding subsides and the damage to the classrooms are repaired.  There is no education about flood-tolerant crops, so malnutrition is visually apparent. But probably the worst affects from the floods are the guaranteed cholera and typhoid outbreaks that follow. The equation of severe poverty and illnesses that require 6 months worth of medication can prove to be fatal.

Our objective is to build a 120,000 liter rainwater harvesting tank on the Mstombogo primary school. However, because of the extreme flooding, we are going to engineer systems that will have at least 3 feet of foundation. This guarantees that the tap stations are always well above the flood waters so that the rainwater cannot become contaminated.  We will also be orchestrating a community Earthworks project. This work will educate the villagers on flood control, infiltration and diversion tactics. The goal will be to divert the water away from residences and common gathering places at the same time as enriching the soil moisture to increase their crop yield. Because rainwater harvesting is naturally sustainable but always sight specific, we need to increase our budget for this project to accommodate the flooding circumstances. We are asking for your help. The children of Mstombogo are juggling so many of life’s obstacles. Together, we can turn the challenges into opportunities that will improve their lives.

As we embark on this project, we will be posting more blogs. So check back to follow along.