Who, what, when, why? All your questions answered!

If you were wondering what Miriam and Lewis were doing in the photos on the last post then wonder no more! That was their reaction to finding out the project allocations.

There are usually two project managers on each project and last night the project managers not only found out who they would be working with but also which project they would be working on.

Here are all the allocations:

Project group: Charlie 1
Project: Muttilmoola tribal housing
Project managers: Charlie and Ruks
Raleigh are working in partnership with the Centre for Tribal and Rural Development Trust in the mountainous Nilgiri district, Tamil Nadu. Charlie 1 will live alongside and work with the 22 inhabitants of the Muttilmoola hamlet, a remote forest community belonging to the Kattunayaka indigenous tribal group to construct a simple home for each of the seven families.
The present living conditions are very basic and their substandard housing is the cause of much hardship and contributes to poor health. Existing dwellings, which are in considerable disrepair, will be replaced with simple mud brick constructions which have been designed in consultation with the community, to facilitate a healthier standard of living whilst enabling them to retain their tribal customs and cultural identity.

‘I’m really looking forward to going on our project visit to investigate what awaits us and our venturers its going to be a huge adventure! I can’t wait to meet the Chief of the local village and the local people and see what they think of Raleigh.’ Charlie.

Project group: Charlie 2
Project: Netikal Hundi sustainable agriculture
Project managers: Leti and Katharine

This project is part of a six year intervention, starting in June 2009. Over the six years 772 families from nine communities will benefit from this project which is based in HD Kote Taluk, Mysore District.

Charlie 2 will help some of the families to develop one acre of horticulture plantation. They will help with digging tree pits and planting species of mango and amla (a kind of sour gooseberry used for pickles, ayurvedic medicines and hair oil). These species will provide high value, high nutrition crops for consumption by the families and for sale in the nearby market towns. The prepared agricultural land will also support seasonal inter-cropping of melons etc.

Around each acre a live fence will be planted using native species including pongamia and high value teak trees which will provide shade for the crops and the root systems will prevent soil erosion and run off during the heavy monsoon rains.

‘We’re both looking forward to exploring the local community and the project site this weekend, its going to be great!’ Leti.

Project group: Charlie 3
Project: Mosarahalla Rainwater Harvesting
Project managers: Kate and Anne

‘This is what Raleigh community projects are all about. This is a fantastic project which will really make a difference. It gives us (project managers and venturers) the opportunity not only to make a difference but to be involved in the local community.’ Kate.

Charlie 3 will work alongside community members and skilled masons in Mosarahalla Village to construct rainwater harvesting systems. The village currently uses a piped water system and ground water polluted by years of heavy pesticide use which is not fit for drinking. The provision of rainwater harvesting systems will ensure a sustainable and safe supply of water for each family which can be stored through the dry season and in periods of electrical pump / electricity supply failure. This village, with ‘Scheduled Tribe’ inhabitants from the Naika community, was the first in Karnataka to have eco-sanitation facilities installed and the project was a resounding success.

Project group: Charlie 4
Project: M.C. Tolalu Hundi Eco-Sanitation
Project managers: Lewis and Camilla

Charlie 4 will work within a rural community, at M.C. Tolalu Hundi, who do not currently have access to full basic hygienic sanitation facilities. They will provide a sustainable and healthy solution for the village by helping families to construct their own eco-sanitation facility – a composting toilet. The project will improve community health through access to safe drinking water in the community by reducing pollution of the local water sources and prevent open defecation in the village. It will also provide compost which can be used to organically fertilize crops. The compost can also be sold in the local market increasing the economy of the village.

‘For us this project is all about integrating with the local community we have an opportunity to really make a difference with this project.’ Lewis.

Project groups: Echo 5 and 6
Project: Gravity water feed supply to Ramaranai village
Project managers: Rich and Lotte (Echo 5) and Miriam and Gareth (Echo 6)

Above: Gareth and Miriam.

‘This project is going to be amazing, it’s such a worthwhile and sustainable project and it’s in such a beautiful area.’ Miriam.

Ramaranai is a remote settlement which is home to 15 families belonging to the Sollega indigenous tribe in the newly established Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu. This area is an important habitat for the Asian elephant and has the highest concentration of them in the world.

The crop growing season is very short and irrigation of the agricultural fields is really important to maximise the yield and to extend the season. Echo 5 and 6 will work together with the community and our project partners in Ramaranai (WWF and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department) to deliver a new gravity water feed supply to the settlement and build water storage tanks on the agricultural plots to supply irrigation water. Echo 5 will be based at the bottom of the feed and Echo 6 at the top.

‘This project is going to give us a huge tangible achievement. We’re just thinking about the moment the water comes rushing down the gravity water feed and how we will feel when we succeed! Not to mention the elephants!’ Rich.
Above: Rich and Lotte

All the project managers will be going to visit their projects over the next few days to find out more about the area and the work they will be doing. They will all take lots of photos for the blog so all the venturers coming out will be able to see what the project sites look like.