Robanda village

Solar replaces diesel with a new well

Robanda and PSA have a history of collaboration over the last eight years. In 2013, we had the pleasure of getting to know different members of the community while we were hosted at the Robanda Tented Camp, a lodge at the edge of town on the border of the national park. We spoke with village leaders about the conditions in the community and we recommended a partnership between the community and the Tented Camp to streamline donations to the village from hotel guests during check-in. We contributed personal funds to help with the purchase of a new ambulance and we donated goats to help a local orphanage. Our visit concluded with a trip to the community well. Powered by a diesel pump, the surrounding land was contaminated by diesel fuel and oil. The bore hole itself was functional, but needed to be replaced in the next decade.

In 2020, we approached the village leaders to explore options for a new well. A project was developed and we began work with the district water engineer to identify viable sites for a new bore hole. The village’s proximity to the preserved land of the national park meant options were limited, but a few sites were found. After further assessment in early 2021, it was decided that the area of Buraranyota in Robanda would be chosen because it was located close to both the main population and a secondary school.

Mighty Men Drillers Tanzania constructed the well using a solar pump. Elevated water tanks were placed on a new platform with multiple distribution points to allow for multiple families to collect water at the same time. This was our largest project to date and our first project using a solar pump. The previous diesel pump and our experience with hand pumps showed us that a clean, efficient alternative was needed for a community of this size. We are excited to see this project completed and the community is overjoyed to have a new well to replace their primary source of water.