Please Update Your Bookmarks

The Matunda Water Project blog has a new address:

http://matunda.ewbnewyork.com>


Upcoming Fundraising Events

May 6th Music Event (read blog post below)
May 28th Wine Tasting Event (read blog post below)
September TBD Music Event (more info to come)

Project Description

Matunda Health Centre Water Project in Lugari, Kenya

The Matunda Health Centre is situated in the Matunda Market area in the Lugari District of Kenya. It was started in 1999 in a rented house and through various donations expanded to include a maternity ward and an outpatient clinic. The Matunda Market is an active commercial area with many small-scale traders and hawkers, the population of the Market is about 70,000 people. Water supply and sanitation are lacking in this area. It is currently unknown what kind of water system is viable for the Centre; we will determine this during an assessment trip which is currently being planned. Our immediate goals are to supply the Health Centre with a safe, sustainable and efficient water supply that will also serve as a public tap.

Location of Lugari District in Kenya

Location of Lugari District in Kenya

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Please Update Your Bookmarks!

The Matunda Water Project blog has a new address:

http://matunda.ewbnewyork.com>

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Project Update

In January we had a joint fundraising event with ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers). Below I have pasted a recent article from ASCE's Met Section about the event which also conveniently includes the most recent project update and what is next on our agenda.


Joint Event with EWB-NY Helps Raise Funds for Matunda Project


Back in January 2009, the Met Section hosted its first joint event with the New York Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB-NY), becoming one of the first local sections to hold a joint event with ASCE's newest partnership organization. The joint event discussed some of ASCE's behind-the-scenes work on Capitol Hill to help shape the infrastructure portion of the economic stimulus package and also helped to raise $1,000 for EWB-NY's initiative to design and construct a new potable water system for the village of Matunda in Kenya.
Later that month, EWB-NY's Matunda Team made an initial implementation trip to the Lugari district of Kenya, completing another phase in a project that aims to provide safe, clean drinking water using a sustainable means and a wastewater management system to a hospital in the area that serves a community of over 20,000 persons. The team of young energetic engineers, led by Yurintzy Estrada of AECOM alongside Steven Morse and Adam Trescott of Louis Berger, set about breaking the ground for the early stages of well construction. The team of engineers was accompanied by Tania Zapata and Antonio Camacho of TLA Productions, a team of filmmakers working on a documentary film of the project.

During this first implementation trip, the team drilled a 400-foot deep borehole at the hospital and conducted a 24-hour step draw-down pump test to assess the yield and to properly size an electrical submersible pump. Next, the team installed a temporary water holding tank for use in conjunction with the pump that provides water at a rate of 8.8 gallons per minute.
With the technical work well underway under the watchful and excited eyes of the children and village people, the team took time to introduce the community to Kamadep—a Kenya-based group that specializes in community outreach and education for water system management. Through its network of consultants, the alliance with Kamadep will serve to further the education and knowledge of the proper use of the new system. Kamadep has already held meetings to explain the importance of the project and the role and responsibility of the community to the ultimate success of the water system and will provide further training throughout the year. This partnership promises to be very beneficial for the two groups involved but mainly for the community as it will ensure the sustainability of the project.
The next phase of the project will include the construction of a plumbing and drainage system as well as the installation of a water treatment system and a permanent water holding tank. The entire team of volunteers devotes a lot of time and effort to plan and raise funds to ensure that this community of people in Kenya will have a better quality of life. The Matunda Team realized the work that lies before them and looks forward to the challenge of bringing clean drinking water to the people of Matunda.

Here is the link to the article: http://www.ascemetsection.org/content/view/424/250/

Monday, May 4, 2009

May 28th Wine Tasting Event

Engineers Without Borders invites you to an intimate rooftop wine tasting. It's the perfect setting to watch the moon rise, meet new people and raise money for a great cause. There will be 6 wines to taste with cheese and chocolate pairings.

$35 Donation to attend.

This event is open to anyone over 21. Space is limited so please RSVP at the attached link.
http://www.pingg.com/rsvp/cxq3ykms2pfvpe8wf


Date:May 28th, 2009, 6:30pm
Location: Downtown Brooklyn - 4 blocks from Jay Street Borough Hall Station A, C, F or 2 blocks from Borough Hall Station M, R, 4, 5, 2, 3

We thank Smith & Vine (wine shop) on Smith Street in Brooklyn for their generous donation of the wine for our event.

Please e-mail vanessa@ewbny.org if you have any questions.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Upcoming Event on May 6th

The Matunda team will be having their first joint event with the Metropolis Ensemble on May 6th 2009 at Americas Society, 680 Park Avenue from 7pm.

"Metropolis Ensemble and Artistic Director/Conductor Andrew Cyr present a concert forum of new chamber music from three gifted composers, Jakub Ciupinski, Vivian Fung, and Cristina Spinei that features live, interactive demonstrations of their musical sources of inspiration."

This concert is a preview to the upcoming REVERB concert by the Ensemble and a preview to what is expected at our event with them in September.

To RSVP for and to get more information on this event go to: http://www.facebook.com/l/859e7;http:/metropolisensemble.org/concerts/2009/glimpses/

Space is going very quickly so those who want to attend should RSVP as soon as possible.

Come join us as we tag along.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Habana Outpost Fundraiser


Thursday, 9/25, the EWB-NY Matunda team held a successful fundraiser at the
Habana Outpost in Brooklyn. The Matunda team raised over $1,100 in one night with this event. The fundraiser included a silent auction, raffle prizes, socially conscious films, and a great opportunity to meet the team members and speak with them about the project's progress.



Habana Outpost is an "ecoeatery" with a colorful atmosphere and great Cuban food and mojitos. The restaurant was a good fit for an EWB fundraiser because of its efforts to be sustainable, including composting, solar panels, catching rainwater to reduce runoff, biodegradable compostable place-settings, and others. (See the photo of their courtyard above).


The EWB-NY Matunda team wishes to express our sincere thanks to Habana Outpost for supporting our efforts!

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Directions to the Jamaica Green Festival in Vermont this weekend


























Monday, June 23, 2008

Assessment Team is Back from Kenya

A few weeks ago our assessment team came back from their trip to Kenya where they accomplished all the objectives that were set for the trip. Now that we know what we are dealing with we have started brainstorming the best ways to solve The Matunda Health Center's clean water issues.
We are also continuing to push forth on fundraising efforts so that we will have enough money to accomplish our goals to help this community in Kenya.
The next fundraising event is the Jamaica Green Festival which will be held this Thursday through Sunday in Vermont. If you would like more information please see the flyer below. For anyone who is interested in going, but has a transportation issue please e-mail vanessac44@yahoo.com.


More Project Details

PROJECT COST:
$80,000 (preliminary estimate)

THE NEED
The Matunda Health Centre does not have a clean water source. The main objective of this project to implement a water system that is efficient and sustainable. There are 3 possible sources for this water system: a well (new or rehabilitated), a rain water catchment system or a river 1.7 km away from the Health Centre.


PROJECT TEAM
The EWB-NY project team consists of engineers from such fields as structures, civil, geotechnical, mechanical, and construction. Additionally, architects & planners will be involved in the sustainable design and site layout. Health, marketing and economics roles will be utilized at various stages. Members from the Matunda Health Centre committee are also essential project members and will be involved in the planning, design and construction process


THE EWB-USA RESPONSE

Site assessment
EWB-NY is currently consulting with the Matunda Health Centre committee in order to fully asses its needs, develop a scope of work, establish design restrictions and determine the availability of local material resources. During this visit we will also conduct a health assessment to gage the impact of the project and its success.

Project goals
A short-list of goals:

§ Determine the most viable water system for the health center
§ Design and construct an efficient and sustainable water system to meet the needs of the health center
§ Provide a disinfection system as needed
§ Develop a water usage and waste water management system
§ Provide awareness and instruction on system maintenance
§ Assess the health of the residents impacted by this project

Next steps
After the initial site assessment, EWB-NY will continue to coordinate with the community and work to develop the necessary designs for the project. Construction will take place on the following trip in the upcoming year.


MOVING FORWARD
This is a great opportunity to improve the livelihoods of the residents in the Matunda Market area. By establishing a close connection with the community and working with them side by side for the development of this project, we ensure the system’s sustainability and the growth of the Health Centre.