Furrow Restoration – backbreaking work for local volunteers
The Water Flows
After six months of heavy, back breaking work by the local Rotarians and volunteers the water is flowing today in the Mtakatifu “Holy” Furrow. The shambas (small farms) rely on water from irrigation ditches that divert water from the the river. There are 10 furrows that provide water to the farms in the Kilema area. The Mtakatifu furrow was built in the 1860’s to provide water for the construction of the church and provide water to the church garden. Over the last number of years the flow of water has been greatly reduced due to leaks. Over 600 meters of furrow and numerous culverts have been repaired. This morning Bwana Militi opened up the temporary diversion dam to test the extensive repairs for leaks. Together with local Rotarians we walked the furrow from the river inlet down to the church to check for leaks. The water moved very quickly throughout he channel and by this morning it should have travelled the 6 km to the church.
What’s different now? Areas of the channel previously with leaks have been completely relined with cement slabs and sealed with special waterproof cement. Over 500 meters of channel have been rebuilt. All the materials for the job had to be carried in by hand, (cement, sand, gravel, cement blocks), prepared and mixed and finally built. With all these repair in place the volume of water at the end on the channel will be many times greater and a new branch will supply water to the recently open vocational school.
Great news about the furrows! Pictures however did not upload.