Africa Sand Dam Foundation

Africa Sand Dam Foundation (ASDF) is a registered Kenyan NGO that was founded in 2010 and supports communities in dryland environments in the counties of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui in South Eastern Kenya to conserve soil and water through the construction of innovative rain water harvesting and storage facilities that include; sand dams, shallow wells, installation of solar powered water distribution systems from sand dams, construction rock catchments and school roof catchments, natural resources conservation and food production through the planting of multipurpose trees, terracing of farm lands and the growing of drought tolerant food crops. In addition, ASDF supports skills and knowledge development of the community members through various trainings and peer to peer learning activities. ASDF’s vision is that, "Soil and water conservation in the drylands enables millions of rural communities to transform their own lives". The purpose of ASDF is to support community self-help groups to improve water access and availability, food production through soil, water and environmental conservation of arid and semi-arid lands hence secure livelihoods. ASDF works with the agropastoral Kamba community in S.E Kenya.

Since inception, ASDF has supported 283 communities in S.E Kenya to implement 652 sand dams, 516 shallow wells connected to sand dams, 308 school water tanks, 16 rock catchments and 17 solar powered water distribution projects to date (ASDF data as at July, 2023). These projects have enabled a population of 968,450 people to improve access and availability of potable water whilst improving their sanitation and hygiene standards. Out of the total beneficiaries, 106,750 school going children have had access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation and hygiene standards.

ASDF annual plan focuses on supporting community members (self-help groups) to transform their lives through community led climate resilient solutions to address food insecurity, lack of water and environmental degradation in Machakos, Makueni and Kitui Counties. The results and outputs of the planned annual plan would be;

• 65 Community groups have access to safe water and improved hygiene, sanitation and water resource management in villages and communities through the construction of 65 sand dams and 65 shallow wells installed with afridev pumps, 45 rain water harvesting and storage tanks in 45 schools, construction of 2 rock catchments and the implementation of 10 solar powered water community water distribution projects. In addition, the 65 communities and 45 schools’ pupils and students would take part in sanitation and hygiene promotion trainings using the CHAST, CLTS and PHAST methodologies respectively. Water quality monitoring through testing at 654 shallow wells, 385 school water tanks and 19 rock catchments and 27 solar powered water distribution projects.

• 65 communities have improved knowledge and practical techniques for the conservation of natural resources and prevention of hazards through participatory training of farmers on tree nurturing and management, soil and water conservation, natural resources management and riparian management and community managed disaster risk reduction (CMDRR). 51,500 metres of terraces to be dug and 27,500 trees to be planted.

• 65 communities have improved food production and developed climate resilience agricultural skills through trainings on sustainable agriculture, value addition of crops grown, permaculture and support to grow a diversity of drought tolerant food crops at the household level, establishment of crop demonstration plots and seed bank projects.

•Strengthen leadership and governance structures of 65 SHGs through trainings on governance and group dynamics, conflict resolution and management, financial management and income generating activities.