Hnp print presentation kenya
-
Upload
human-needs-project -
Category
Technology
-
view
773 -
download
2
description
Transcript of Hnp print presentation kenya
KIBERA, NAIROBI
“The living conditions are harsh and profoundly unforgiving.
The deprivations people face on a daily basis are
fundamental: severe overcrowding, terrible sanitation,
chronic disease, malnutrition, and nighttime insecurity.”
Kibera Soweto East. A case study in slum upgrading. MICHELLE MULCAHY AND MING-RU CH,Uhttp://www.design.upenn.edu/new/cplan/02b_KiberaMulcahy.pdf
The Effects of Living Without Infrastructure
Kibera is mostly without infrastructure, and has little to no access to basic
services such as garbage collection, sanitation, drainage systems, and
access to water.
The insufficient number of available lavatories and baths result in the
practice of ‘flying toilets’ – human excreta in plastic bags which are disposed
of at night by throwing them into the air to land where they may, as there is
nowhere to safely dispose of them. As a result, communicable disease is
rampant.
A Dangerous Environment
The physical environment itself is dangerous
People walk around on, live in, and their children play on, surfaces contaminated with human waste, which can contain dangerous pathogens.
There is a direct link between the absence of sanitation systems and the presence of deadly diseases.
The lack of waste disposal, drainage systems and public toilets, allow for diseases such as malaria, diarrhea and cholera to flourish.
Women and children sometimes spend hours each day in lines at the water sellers’ tanks.
Water is brought in by truck or piped in via fragile, leaky plastic tubes
There are no guarantees of quality or derivation – often the tanks are contaminated by the surrounding run-off
When there are shortages they are unable to find water, or pay for it
Water is my job
One in five children do not live to see their fifth birthdayThe Guardian, Friday 10 November 2006 00.09 GMT
“When sorrows come, they come
not single spies, but in battalions.”
(“Hamlet” 1602, Shakespeare)
Trouble never comes alone...
The problems in Kibera don’t either.
And yet many aid projects in Kibera have acted by focusing on just one thing at a time.
This may be why so man have failed…
Once construction was finished
the benefactor left and the project quickly deteriorated
or it was diverted to benefit the personal interests of the “managing” team
Or else the income from just lavatories, say,
or water, cooking gas, et al did not suffice to pay for its upkeep.
The problems in Kibera are many and they are interrelated.
So why attack just one of the problems?
The HNP Concept proposes a Center with a Subscription business model
The Center will function as a miniature pod of infrastructure in the village of Gatwekera
The subscription will be priced to fit with local economic standards
Kiberans pay for their own services and are not receiving charity or Aid, but instead, through their subscription, become owners of their own Center
HNP will donate the center to the community in the form of a Subscriber owned Co-op
The Co-op will have no start up costs to be amortized, or debt, and additionally, a trained crew and management sourced from the Community, in addition to a set of fully developed business tools for financial and contingency planning and o/s manuals
Human Needs Project
•will offer a wide array of aggregate services
•Incorporate them into a program designed to attempt to concomitantly solve many other needs of the community
•In the process create a sort of critical mass, or tipping point of support for self-improvement
•And combine education with access to credit and communication, fueling a move toward self expression and independence
waterpower
sanitationclean technology
adult learning centermicrofinance institution
public baths and lavatoriesInformation & campaigns office
playground, wifi and cappuccino barcommunications and business services
financial planning & systems/ops manualsubscriber ownership & community
leadership
- Kibera, Kenya, Redhorse Constructors, UC Berkeley RAEL, Kao Design Group 28 September 2010 draft
Pilot Project Site
Kibera, Kenya,
Google Earth View
- Kibera, Kenya, Redhorse Constructors, UC Berkeley RAEL, Kao Design Group 28 September 2010 draft
Community Center
- Kibera, Kenya, Redhorse Constructors, UC Berkeley RAEL, Kao Design Group 28 September 2010 draft
clinic
classroom store café/wi-fi
courtyard, children play area
female families male battery
well/waterFresh water treatment
energy generation
battery sale
laundrywater sale sewage treatment
Concept Design
- Kibera, Kenya, Redhorse Constructors, UC Berkeley RAEL, Kao Design Group 28 September 2010 draft
Concept Design
Aerials
courtyard, children play area
Concept Designs
Street View
Stepping into Men’s Restroom
Water Store
Mobile Technology Containers
San
itatio
n
Wat
er
Ene
rgy
Laun
dry/
Sew
age
IT/ C
omm
unic
atio
n
Wor
k/E
duca
tion
Sew
age/
Was
te
Hea
lth C
linic
Modular Containers: 20ft / 40ft
Donated end of life shipping containers, packed with life sustaining technologies
Site Plan (DRAFT)
Site Plan (DRAFT)
Site Plan (DRAFT)
Waste Recycling Schematic
Septic Tank and Anaerobic Upflow Filters
Horizontal Roughing Filter with Planter Bed
Second Water Store
Planter Beds with Ecological Waste Treatment Below
Upflow Vertical Roughing Filter
- Kibera, Kenya, Redhorse Constructors, UC Berkeley RAEL, Kao Design Group 28 September 2010 draft
Services Units
Kibera, Kenya
Sanitation Units: Female and Families
Sanitation Units: Female and Families
Sanitation Units: Male
Kibera, Kenya
Kibera, Kenya
Free Wifi Café, Clinic
Human Needs Project - Development, not Aid
Community Involvement:- Local Ownership & Leadership- Training of Community Recruits- Incorporation as Subscriber owned Co-op
Subscriptions provide necessary income for maintenance- Financial independence of Co-op
Survey-based Design & Solutions
HNP developed Business Tools for Management- Financial Planning- Systems & Operations Manuals- Contingencies- Trained management
Many Aid Projects Fail- Why?
HNP COMMUNITY OUTREACH: LEADERSHIP AND OWNERSHIP
• HNP grassroots community council with representatives of community groups• Community ownership of Co-Op• Community recruits get adequate training and expertise
HNP COMMUNITY OUTREACH: LEADERSHIP AND OWNERSHIP
• HNP grassroots community council with representatives of community groups• Community ownership of Co-Op• Community recruits get adequate training and expertise
HNP CONCEPT BASED ON COMMUNITY SURVEY
• HNP communicates with community through grassroots council• HNP website blog page, Facebook, and Twitter continue dialogue with community• Flexible concept updated with community and Co-Op leadership
HNP CONCEPT BASED ON COMMUNITY SURVEY
• HNP communicates with community through grassroots council• HNP website blog page, Facebook, and Twitter continue dialogue with community• Flexible concept updated with community and Co-Op leadership
HNP CONCEPT: SAME PLANNING TOOLS AS ANY GOOD BUSINESS IN THE US
• Systems and operations manuals• Contingency plans for any repair• Financial planning• “Cross” trained personnel
HNP CONCEPT: SAME PLANNING TOOLS AS ANY GOOD BUSINESS IN THE US
• Systems and operations manuals• Contingency plans for any repair• Financial planning• “Cross” trained personnel
CO-OP SUBSCRIBER BASE WILL PROVIDE ECONOMIC SUFFICIENCY
• Large array of included services to generate subscribers and sufficient income• Marketplace and Co-Op subscription: savings and financing for families• Co-Op leadership motto• Transparency, accountability, communication, information
CO-OP SUBSCRIBER BASE WILL PROVIDE ECONOMIC SUFFICIENCY
• Large array of included services to generate subscribers and sufficient income• Marketplace and Co-Op subscription: savings and financing for families• Co-Op leadership motto• Transparency, accountability, communication, information
KIBERA PROBLEMS
LITTLE OR NO COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
• No local leadership• No perception of ownership• No voice in design/concept• No impetus for success
FLAWED CONCEPT
• Mechanical/economic failure• Intended consumer group not satisfied with concept
LACK OF CONTINGENCY PLAN
• No spare parts• No expertise• No management/maintenance
ECONOMIC INSUFFICIENCY/CONTINUED DEPENDENCY ON DONOR
• Insufficient income• Donor moves on to new project
HNP SOLUTIONS
Human Needs Project
Aggregate ServicesSelf-development programsWater Clean TechnologyInformation Campaign development
EDUCATION/TRAINING
SKILL SETS
KNOW HOW
INFORMATION
HEALTH
NUTRITION
PARENTING
BASIC SERVICES
SHOWERS
CLEAN DRINKING WATER
LAVATORIESACCESS TO CREDIT
AND SAVINGS PROGRAM
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
COURSE
CONCEPT, LEGAL AND ACCOUNTING
MENTORSHIP
CONTACTS
AND OPPORTUNITY
ACCESS TO COMMUNICATION
FREE WIFI
COMPUTERS/FAX
PRINTER
HOSPITALITY
COMPUTER SKILLS
BASIC READING WRITING & MATH
RETAIL
BASIC ACCOUNTING
ORGANIZATION
COMMUNICATION
UNIVERSITY APPLICATIONS, CV’S
HYGIENE/HANDWASHING
PARENTING/NUTRITION
GARBAGE/RECYCLING/
COMPOSTING
CORPORATE DOCUMENTS
BUSINESS TOOLS
SAVINGS/PERSONAL FINANCES
“We believe potential creativity and entrepreneurship is everywhere. The HNP ‘Town-Center’ can function as a generator, energizing the community and releasing the potential in every community.”
- Ken Kao, HNP Project Designer
“We believe potential creativity and entrepreneurship is everywhere. The HNP ‘Town-Center’ can function as a generator, energizing the community and releasing the potential in every community.”
- Ken Kao, HNP Project Designer
BASIC SERVICES- Drinking water- Showers- Toilets
BASIC SERVICES- Drinking water- Showers- Toilets
HOME IMPROVEMENT- Green marketplace- Clean technology-Home improvement with Financing plan
HOME IMPROVEMENT- Green marketplace- Clean technology-Home improvement with Financing plan
MICROFINANCE INSTITUTION/SAVINGS BANK- Financial planning- Savings instrument- Credit- Investment
MICROFINANCE INSTITUTION/SAVINGS BANK- Financial planning- Savings instrument- Credit- Investment
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM- Adult learning center program- Business development - Program and services-Mentoring/networking program-Health, hygiene and parenting information campaigns
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM- Adult learning center program- Business development - Program and services-Mentoring/networking program-Health, hygiene and parenting information campaigns
HUMAN NEEDS PROJECT
Specialists AcademicsGraduate StudentsProfessionals of all stripes &Collaborations between HNP/institutions & corporations- formal and informal
DESIGN
CHIEF TECHNICAL CONSULTANT
BUSINESS PLAN & O/M
WASTE WATER
MANAGEMENT
BUSINESS LAB & MENTORING
SUSTAINABLE PRACTICESCONSTRUCTION
• PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS• COMMUNITY EFFORT CO-ORDINATION• COMMUNICATION HNP&KIBERA
• ADULT LEARNING CENTER PROGRAM
• SAVINGS & CREDIT PROGRAM FOR KIBERA
Human Needs Project
A Specialist, A Team
Collaborations with • Corporations • Universities (to be finalized)
• Microfinance Institution (to be finalized)
• Business Associations (for mentoring – to be finalized)
• PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS • COMMUNITY EFFORT CO-ORDINATION• COMMUNICATION HNP&KIBERA
• ADULT LEARNING CENTER PROGRAM
• SAVINGS & CREDIT PROGRAM FOR KIBERA
HUMAN NEEDS PROJECT
COMMUNITY, EXPERTS & PARTNERSHIPS
USA & KENYA
MENTORING
JIM WUNDERMANANDY BARKETTSONNY AULAKH
PRERNA ARORAGREG BRYNELSONCHUNGWAI CHUMJANELLE ESCLAMADOMANFEI LAUYOTAM LEVINEWINNIE LITONY MARURILISA MILLERPATRICK O'BRIENMONICA ONEILLNATHANIEL ROUSHASHLEY SHAH
JONATHAN KAPLANMARCI GLAZERCONNIE NIELSEN
DANIEL KAMMENDAVID WARNERKEN KAOJOHN TODDNORMAN
HANTZSCHE
PAUL POSPISILDAN PRULLJEREMY NEWMANCONNIE NIELSEN
JONATHAN KAPLANDAVID WARNERJIM WUNDERMANCONNIE NIELSEN
YEMA KHALIFMEGHAN WARNERCONNIE NIELSEN
CONNIE NIELSENDAVID WARNERDANIEL KAMMENJONATHAN KAPLANDAN PRULLJOHN OCONNOR
KAOAMY SHEEHAN LATVA-KOKKOJUTA CINCODAVID WARNERCONNIE NIELSEN
CONNIE NIELSENDAVID WARNERDANIEL KAMMENDAN PRULLJOHN OCONNOR
USA:JULIE RENEJOAN SOEKOTJOCONNIE NIELSEN
KENYA:JOYCE ONEKO
CONNIE NIELSENDAVID WARNERDANIEL KAMMENDAN PRULL
CONNIE NIELSENDAVID WARNERDANIEL KAMMENDAN PRULLJOHN OCONNOR
CONNIE NIELSENWILLIAM OGUTUYEMA KHALIF
CLEAN WEB LEGAL RECRUITS ECONOMIC TECHNOLOGY/ & & &
TEAM TECHNICAL TEAM SOCIAL MEDIA DESIGN TEA ACCCOUNTING TRAINING
KIBERA
CLEAN GRASSROOTS BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAMS RECRUITS & TECHNOLOGY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT TRAINING MARKET PLACE COUNCIL
HNP TEAMS & PEOPLEHNP TEAMS & PEOPLE
Human Needs Project
Grassroots Community Council• Create an exchange of information • Communicate about how best to serve Kibera's
residents • Co-ordinate community group's efforts • Pool resources • Set up an information gathering program where all
groups can send in monthly numbers of cases, specifying type, fx disease, death, orphan, new arrivals etc.
• For Kiberans, By Kiberans: Create Information Campaigns for the community on Health, Nutrition, Parenting, Hygiene and much more
Community Ownership & Recruitment
• Create a Clean Technology Expert Team in Kibera
• Develop local talent for management
HN
P CENTER: A D
YNAM
O O
F COM
MU
NITY-LED
CHAN
GE
HN
P CENTER: A D
YNAM
O O
F COM
MU
NITY-LED
CHAN
GE
• BUSINESS PLAN SYSTEMS & OPERATIONS MANUAL
• CONTINGENCIES• REPAIRS• SPARE PARTS
• SERVICES & DELIVERY PLAN
• FINANCIAL PLANNING
Kibera needs information campaigns
In addition to insufficient infrastructure and public services, there is a
general lack of awareness of important health and environmental
safeguards, and how they prevent disease.
Information campaigns are necessary to protect adults and children from
diseases, but also to enable better nutrition habits and spread knowledge
of childhood development and the parenting skills that may result from
such knowledge.
HNP - Clean technology, local resources
As with all other things, Electricity is also scarce in Kibera, and unreliable.
Say we dug a well. We would have to dig deep to reach water levels, and to
avoid contamination. How would we power the pumps to bring the water up;
never mind pumping it in sufficient amounts into showers and lavatories?
HNP will supply the Center with Clean Energy, not only Solar Energy to power
the Center, but also the technology to deal with its Wastewater.
Clean Technology is relatively cheap and very reliable, and is very well
adapted to single-user solutions where general infrastructure is lacking.
HNP’s Technical team provides the Center with the latest innovations and is
committed to sourcing all possible materials locally and to hire locally
whenever possible.
Can Kiberans pay for their own services?
It is integral to HNP’s concept that the Center be economically self-
sustaining and independent.
In our survey of potential HNP Center Users in Kibera, we found that,
though not all, most would pay to have access to a public bathroom; the
same was true for access to public baths. http://www.zoomerang.com/Shared/SharedResultsPasswordPage.aspx?ID=L24MKZ9N3ES3
Kiberans already pay for water, though they pay too much (up to twenty
percent of their income) for water which holds no guarantee of being clean.
Kiberans also pay for baths at the UN facility in another part of Kibera.
HNP believes that Kiberans will pay for their own services if these services
are combined in one attractive package, in effect creating a self-sufficient
economy for the Center.
HNP Center owned by subscribers
HNP will be owned and led by its subscribers. HNP will institute a co-op and
donate the center to the co-op once management is ready. By creating
ownership by Many, and a democratic leadership, HNP intends to safeguard
the Center from being taken over by selfish interests.
HNP will provide the coop management and maintenance recruits with
education and training so they are prepared for all contingencies and
operations. In the process, this will also create a team of experienced
Clean Technology experts in the middle of the slum of Kibera.
Financial and contingency planning
HNP wants to ensure the absolute continued success of its Kibera pilot
project by giving the Kibera center the best possible tools we have access to
ourselves.
The HNP Economic Team will provide the Center’s management with
business and contingency plans, financial planning tools and systems and
operations manuals
Why should a business in Kibera be any less diligent in
ensuring its own success than any other business in the US?
Many projects in Kibera have failed,
but we want to do everything possible to make this one
the exception…
waterpower
sanitationclean technology
adult learning centermicrofinance institution
public baths and lavatoriesInformation & campaigns office
playground, wifi and cappuccino barcommunications and business services
financial planning & systems/ops manualsubscriber ownership & community leadership
ANDY BARKETTFacebook
SONNY AULAKHCEO Greenlight Apparel
VANESSA GETTYPhilanthropist
MARCI GLAZERPhilanthropist
NORMAN HANTZSCHECEO, Questa Engineering
DANIEL KAMMENProf., UC BerkeleyWorld Bank Specialist Renewable Energy
KENNETH KAO, Lecturer, HarvardCEO, Kao Design Group
JONATHAN KAPLANInventor, Flip VideoFounder, Pure Digital
YEMA KHALIFWeb DesignerHNP Community Organizer
CONNIE NIELSENActorHNP Project Leader
JOYCE ONEKOAttorney, Community OrganizerFounder, Mama Na Dada
WILLIAM OGUTUHNP Community Organizer
PAUL POSPISILGeologist, Questa Engineering
DAN PRULLEnergy Director, Redhorse ConstructorsEnergy System Design Consultant at Moskito Island
JOHN TODDCEO, Ecological Design
DAVID WARNERCEO, Redhorse ConstrutorsHNP Project Leader
MEGAN WARNERWeb Designer, City Winery
JIM WUNDERMANCEO Bay Area CouncilLecturer, UC Davis
HNP KEY PEOPLEHNP KEY PEOPLE
STEFANIE COYOTESingerActivist
JOHN O’CONNORDean, Brookhouse International School
Jim Wunderman
“I was excited about the project from the time Connie first described it to me – the chance to do something so meaningful for people who live in such desperate conditions really grabbed me. I spend most of my time at the Bay Area Council worrying about how to fix the problems we face here at home, but then when you consider what people go through just to survive in the Kiberas of the world, it puts things into context. But my “HNP moment” – at least thus far – was when Connie introduced the project to my students at UC Davis, the idea being to entice at least a few of these soon to be MBA’s to volunteer. I was so moved by my students’ expressions – so many jaws dropping – as she explained the need and detailed the potential for real solutions we could drive. These students work full time in addition to participating in a most consuming MBA program – yet to a person they were taken by the magnitude of what HNP can mean. And yes, a whole crew of them jumped up after the class was over when asked to sign up, and they’ve been working on the economics of the project ever since. During the quarter, I introduced the students to many CEOs and industry leaders who spoke of their challenges and their leadership styles, and as usual, the class was impressed. But there was no more profound moment, not even close, than when Connie took the floor and showed them, in effect, how their own expertise and contribution could do so much more than simply boost sales or increase quarterly earnings. I believe a lot of perspectives were changed that night, making it not only my HNP moment, but my UC Davis moment, too.”
Andy Barkett's:
"There are few times in our lives when we are presented with an opportunity to make a massive difference in the lives of many, many people. The human needs project is just such an opportunity. In our busy lives, it is hard to find the time or the energy to dedicate to seemingly intractable problems like global poverty and disease. The Human Needs Project is a cause for which I will gladly let other things slide. The opportunity to help one person transition from a life of squalor to a vibrant, healthy life is a worthwhile endeavor. The Human Needs Project is an opportunity to help thousands, or maybe more. It is not just an opportunity to give them a computer, a vaccination, or even a roof to live under; the Human Needs Project is an opportunity to give hardworking, intelligent, and beautiful people in Kenya an opportunity to transform their own lives, permanently, for the better."
Dan Prull
"I've been able to work on a variety of sustainable development projects throughout my career; from designing renewable microgrids on exclusive private islands to planning large-scale geothermal power. To me, Human Needs Project provides a platform to adapt these same green technologies for use anywhere in the world. HNP shows that Kibera deserves to prosper from this green technology as much, if not more, than we do in the US.”
Daniel Kammen
The formation of the board of HNP, seeing the concrete community center plans, and the complex back and forth with the Government of Kenya all made the realities of the project and the realities of the process clear to us all. We clearly have much to do, but under the exceptionally energetic guidance of Connie, I can certainly see a working community center in my mind even before it is launched.
What is most exciting to me is to see how the HNP community center model could scale. The need for not only clean and safe water, energy, and training is vital, but so is the organizational model of community-owned, externally-partnered infrastructure for basic human needs. I am particularly sensitive to the need to replicate the model when I work in rural Kenya, such as in the community described in my National Geographic blog:
http://www.greatenergychallengeblog.com/blog/2011/02/03/ecosystem-services-human-and-ecological-health/
We need to bottle and spread Connie's energy!
HNP MEMBER QUOTES
Ken Kao
"HNP inspires us to collaborate and innovate, to offer ckean sanitation and energy, and to provide access to health and education. By creating a prototypes of green, local, appropriate technology pods, we aim to construct safe micro community hubs of enterprises. We are motivated to support means for local self improvements. We hope to ignite the spark of revitalization, to strategically sustain continually improving quality of life and well being for the community."
David Warner
The Human Needs Project represents the gift of giving back and helping others. The goal of providing fresh water, renewable energy, sanitation and community services to the second largest urban slum in the world is a small contribution to a complex problem. Being a part of HNP allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself. One of my most memorable moments was standing in Kibera at the same spot that Senator Obama stood speaking to the community about hope and a better future for all and I am honored to be a part of that effort to create social change.
Jonathan Kaplan
As an entrepreneur and business builder, I'm thrilled to be helping HNP bring basic human needs and fundamental business services to the entrepreneurial communities of Kibera. I'm also very proud to be associated with such a great group of people who have dedicated much of their lives to guaranteeing a better life for those around them. The on-the-ground team at HNP are world class and their gentle and thoughtful integration with the local communities in Kibera will be extremely efficient and effective.
Connie's passionate and enthusiastic leadership combined with the dedication of David Warner and his team has made working with this group truly rewarding.
Connie Nielsen
" I shot Lost in Africa in Nairobi in April 2010. The film is a story about an adopted child who comes to Africa to reconnect with his heritage, but who gets lost and ends up in the slum of Kibera, one of over two hundred slums in Nairobi. I wanted to do the film because it was the first script that I had read where the poorest people on the planet actually achieve humanity and personality, even as it highlights the extreme deprivations of people living in Kibera. I spent my days off walking around Kibera and getting to know the place and some of the people who live and work there. I found it extraordinary to see a place so completely devoid of any semblance of public infrastructure, - in the middle of one of the greatest cities in Africa. As I walked around this sloping square mile of mud lanes, mud houses and piles upon piles of garbage and the unmistakable smell of human excreta, it struck me that I was looking at a prison with three hundred thousand inmates. There were some of the same conditions as in prisons: scarcity of goods, extreme over-crowding, violence and an almost total absence of choice. The residents had no way out of their misery. There was no 'motor' or compelling source of energy which could grant the people here any escape from the confined lives they were living. The desperately poor spend all their time surviving: education becomes an unaffordable luxury. But what they really spent a great time and money on, turned out to be the task of getting water. My friend and guide, William Ogutu, stressed the problem to me over and over, - there was little to no water, and the water there was, was expensive and the source of it was not knowable. A Kiberan pays eight times more for his water, than the middle class in Nairobi a mile down the road need pay for water, which gets piped into their houses.
My friend, Yema Khalif returned to Kibera from visiting Denmark following his work on the film. It cast him into a depression. He wrote this in an email: "I experienced a different life in Europe, a life where things are possible if you are smart hence you can make things happen for yourself you know. I mean all my life I have been looking for a breakthrough of creating a different life for myself and family and now i am back in Kibera where so little happens and life is kind of stagnant in a way which makes me to feel so wasted at times. I know I am good at the things I do because I always give it my all. To tell you the truth I am the first son in my family and I got 6 siblings who look up to me so I have to step up to the challenge. So I must succeed in life and that's why I will go visit [with my friend in the UK] to see what I can make of myself. I have always wanted to pursue a life in London or the US, but am still searching for that opportunity."
(CONT.)
CONNIE NIELSEN(CONT.)
I promised William that I would build a well and we went looking for a spot. When we agreed that a particular patch of high lying ground would work perfectly, he went and checked with the Elder's Council to see if it was available and if we could have it for a well. Then I returned to San Francisco, and started to plan a well. But I couldn't stop thinking of the implication on people's lives of living without any sort of infrastructure at all; - I felt water was only the mere beginning of alleviating some of the stresses they were having to deal with. What about toilets and showers - things I simply could not imagine living in a city and not have access to. One thing was lack of basic services in rural areas, where there is space and if there were clean waterways it could somewhat compare to camping in nature (which I do but very reluctantly). Another was to live every day of your life, in the big city, without the dignity of being able to relieve yourself in a sanitary fashion and to maintain simple hygienic standards.
Once I started looking, the numbers for disease and child mortality in Kibera sprung out at me and cemented a resolve to do more than boring a hole in the ground and fastening a hand pump on top. To pump enough for showers I would need real power, -another mostly absent amenity in Kibera. I decided solar panels would make the most sense in this part of Africa, with a back-up plan for the rainy months. I wondered about the prison thing, the words in Yema's mail - "stagnant", "wasted", "creating a life for myself". I felt I needed to set up some sort of program, which could do something about that. I had now accumulated several aspects to add to the Well I wanted build: Water, showers, toilets, - adult education?
At home I was preparing to build a new house, and at a planning meeting with our Contractor and our Architect around our kitchen table, I realized that I was looking at someone who had exactly the kind of knowledge I did not have: How to build, - anything. David Warner is the CEO of Redhorse Contractors, and he has built some of the most progressive and extraordinary houses in Northern California. He is an expert in incorporating clean technology and as we were looking to go practically off-grid in our new house, - he was the obvious choice to help build our house. I looked into his kind face, so capable of enthusiasm and joy in his work. And I asked him, seemingly out of the blue, - would you build a well in Africa with me? And with no hesitation at all - he said, - Yes.
I now look back, almost a year later, and think to myself, - what a great instinct that was. Through David, I met Daniel Kammen, of UC at Berkeley and the World Bank, and Ken Kao of Harvard and Kao Design, now our Chief Technical Specialist and Chief Designer, respectively. I invited Jim Kammen of the Bay Area Council, and he in turn brought in his team of former students from UC Davis, Andy Barkett and Sonny Aulakh, who with present graduate students created our Economic Team. Then Jonathan Kaplan and Marci Glazer joined in, the Tomkowicz Family and their Waterhope foundation, Dan Prull, John and Jonathan Todd, Norman Hantzsche, Julie Rene, Joan Soekotjo, Joyce Oneko, John O'Connor, Yema Khalif, William Ogutu and all our friends in Kibera, all met up, and made HNP what it is today.
HNP now has over 40 collaborators in the US and Kenya. HNP is fully funded and is awaiting permits to start building an extraordinary, Clean Energy, full-service, Center in Kibera. Experts in Clean Technology, Design and Architechture, Education, Business and Economics have rounded out the vision of the HNP Concept and are working, - all for absolutely free -, to help Kibera get a motor going, some sort of compelling source of energy, which may help break down the barriers of their poverty, and perhaps, set them free."
PARTNERS & COLLABORATIONSPARTNERS & COLLABORATIONS
ADDENDUM
Sewage Treatment
Clean Energy Generation
Clean Water Treatment
UV-Tube for Disinfecting WaterThis UV-Tube has been getting some press in the wake of hurricane Katrina. It is a low-cost water disinfecting system, which basically consists of a plastic tube and an ultraviolet light bulb, which can be run on solar power. It processes about five liters of water per minute. Ultraviolet light has been used to disinfect water for quite a while now. The inventors say the UV-Tube differs from other systems because it is inexpensive and less energy intensive. "If you run the system throughout the day, you can get drinking water for hundreds of people," said graduate student Micah Lang at the University of California, Berkeley's Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory. The team recently conducted a round of field tests with a solar-powered version of the tube in a tsunami-ravaged village in Sri Lanka and in rural villages in Baja California. The tests have gone quite well, Lang and Kammen said. "It is a great way to kill most of the pathogens in decaying fecal matter," said Kammen.
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/09/uv-tube_for_dis.php