As the long dry summer in Daikundi is starting, we are trying to speed up our efforts to help people construct irrigation structures. Thanks to Jugend eine Welt, we will be able to implement some more projects in the coming weeks.
In the tiny hamlet Dahanetol, we will help 10 families build an irrigation pool to better irrigate their almond trees. They want to take the water from a small creek nearby and install a solar powered pump to take the water to the pool and from there to the trees.
Here, Naim is interviewing the villagers who explain about the project. We asked the kids to come out as well. They are all somewhat sceptical looking – I hope we won’t disappoint them!
Solar panels play a crucial role for the remote communities in Miramor district as electric grids are lacking. Fortunately, solar power is cheap and readily available in the Bazaar in Chabrasak. Our team paid 31500 Afghani for the panel and the carrying structure.
The work for the irrigation pool has already started. The pool is situated on the hillside and from there water can easily be taken to the trees.
Update
On July, 13th, Naim visited Dahanetol again. By now, the villagers have completed the pool. In total, we supported the project with 62,600 Afghani, while the villagers themselves put up 20,000 Afghani.
The solar panels that will operate the pump have already been set up.
The pool has an outlet that can be connected to hoses for irrigation. The pump is necessary to get the water up the hill and to the pool first, from there, taking it to the almond trees doesn’t require any more electricity.
After the project was completed, Naim interviewed the villagers again and they were also talking about the costs of the project and the benefits for the community. With the new pool and pump, the villagers will be able to irrigate about 500 trees, 400 of which are nut trees. This will improve their income for years to come.
Many thanks go to our cofinancing partner Jugend eine Welt
