Residents of Selela Village in Monduli District, Arusha Region, have expressed gratitude to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through its Small Grants Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Vice President’s Office of Environment, for completing a water project at the Kabambe water source.
The project has significantly improved access to water for domestic use and irrigation.
The project was implemented by MAIPAC, a media-based organization supporting indigenous communities, as part of the Respecting and Preserving Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in Conservation initiative.
A similar project is also being carried out among the Hadzabe community in the Eyasi Basin of Karatu District.
Selela Village Chairman Longidonyi Lunda said the construction of a protective fence around the Kabambe water source has prevented intrusion by people, livestock, and wildlife.
“Water is now sufficient for drinking and irrigation. Previously, irrigating one hectare took over six hours. Now it takes just four,” he explained.
He added that the community is requesting funding to build storage tanks to ensure continuous access to safe drinking water, as residents currently receive water every three days.
Abdallah Side Mbaga, chairman of the village irrigation system, said the project has strengthened local farming.
“Even during this dry season, we have enough water to irrigate farms and meet domestic needs,” he said.
Secretary of the irrigation system, Yamini Paulo Mndeme, said improved water distribution has increased crop yields, particularly bananas, vegetables, and fruits.
“We are thankful to UNDP and MAIPAC, and we hope the project will expand to reach more residents,” he added.
Contractor Ephrahimu Samweli noted that while water availability has increased, the lack of storage tanks still leads to rationing.
“As a resident, I thank UNDP, GEF, MAIPAC, and the government. We now hope water for drinking reaches everyone without rationing,” he said.
Local women, including Ndemta Tumbo and Mary Mollel, said the project has eased their daily water challenges.
Tumbo praised MAIPAC for facilitating access to irrigation and domestic water, while Mollel emphasized the reliable availability of water thanks to government support.
MAIPAC Director Mussa Juma said the initiative will boost local incomes through irrigation farming while protecting the Kabambe water source.
The project is part of 44 initiatives signed on April 4, 2024, at the UN Headquarters in Tanzania, led by UNDP Resident Representative Shigeki Komatsubara and inaugurated by then-Monduli District Council Chairman Isack Joseph, now the constituency’s Member of Parliament.
