FARMERS in the Korogwe district of Tanzania are hoping for a good harvest of rice and beans following welcome rains, Bratton Clovelly-based water charity Devon Aid Korogwe has reported. Vivien England, who founded the charity, has just returned from Korogwe and said she saw a very different picture from that gained on previous visits made during hot, dry times. This time, the charity travelled following the rainy season. Vivien said: ?For the first time in four years most of the area had experienced good rains. This meant a lush green background to almost all the villages. The maize crops look good and the people are hoping for a good harvest. ?We saw water holes containing water which was quite a different scenario to our earlier encounters. There was certainly water but the quality in most holes was dubious to say the least. Run off and livestock contamination filled most of them. The condition of water being carried home by the women was seriously concerning. ?The good news was that we were able to see the work carried out on our behalf since last year?s visit. ?Between four villages we had supplied seven wells complete with hand pumps, and for a further two villages we had installed a joint gravity pipeline that put taps into the village centres. ?The welcome greetings of thanks we received were very humbling for something so very basic and essential as clean water ? something we in this country expect as a right to have, every time we turn a tap.? Devon Aid-Korogwe consider it most important to check up on all the expenditure and work done, and was delighted to find everything in good order. Vivien said there was still much work for the charity to do: ?Our visit gave us the opportunity to visit another batch of villages within the Korogwe district that are in desperate need of clean water and so we will be working at a lot more fundraising in the months ahead to help to supply these villages.? Each village visit is begun by meeting with their water committee to assess their present situation and to explain their position for any partnership with Devon Aid-Korogwe. Where practicable, the labouring can be carried out by the villagers, giving local people a feeling of ownership, which helps them to take responsibility for maintenance and replacement of parts. If you would like to learn more about Devon Aid ? Korogwe contact 01837 871310.
