The Bio Centre Story Umande Trust August 2013
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
TransformationThe Bio Centre Story Umande Trust August 2013 Managing Director: Josiah Omotto Main Text Brenda A. Ogutu & Others Photographers Odinga R.O Nasra O. Bwana Contacts Brenda A. Ogutu Umande Trust P.O.BOX 43691 -00100 Concept, Design & Layout NAIROBI Nasra O. Bwana Kenya Odinga R. O Tel: +254-20-8079001 / +254-20-3866129 Brenda A. Ogutu Nairobi Office: Olympic Estate, Kibera, Nairobi Email: [email protected] Editorial support Website: www.umande.org Musyimi Mbathi Cover Photo: N.Omar Executive Summary Expanding Opportunities in People’s The interventions supported by Umande presented in the publication are testimony Settlements through Innovative Solutions Trust to provide better sanitation in people that the Bio-Centre facilities had indeed in Sanitation Provision settlements across Kenya are aimed at led to transformation of the communities bridging sanitation gaps in addition to and users. Inadequate sanitation according to recent providing sustainable livelihoods and living research1 is a driver of diseases such as environments. This publication provides The findings led to a transformed socio- diarrhoea, endemic cholera and respiratory a detailed description and photographic economic and environmental landscape in infections seen as the biggest contributor of evidence of the current situation of the the settlements. Many of the beneficiary child mortality for the under five, where an Bio-Centres constructed across the country groups continued to earn dividends and estimated 2.4 million children fall victim. It in people’s settlement through assistance monetary gains as a result of offering is without doubt that sanitation is the single of partners and beneficiary communities. the service. Youth led groups realized most cost-effective major public health The publication further highlights the significant results for example where intervention to reduce child mortality. unique and salient features of each facility members were previously unemployed. The United Nations2 observed that in and how beneficiary communities have Instances were recorded where some youth developing countries and indeed informal transformed as a result. members were able to support children in settlements, there is no single development the settlements with education and other intervention that brings greater public Information and detailed about the basic necessities such as food and clothing. health returns. Additionally, for every $1 facilities was collected through the help A beacon of light where there was none invested in sanitation, it is estimated that of groups of men and women including before. Many households lack access to at least $9 is returned to national economies the youth who managed the facilities. education materials and space for reading in increased productivity and a reduced Observations and photography were carried especially for school going children owing burden of healthcare. for each facility and details collaborated to small cramped living spaces. Some by user communities and management Bio-centres offer the space and material committees. Without the local knowledge necessary to mold the future generation. 1 World Bank (2006) Disease control priorities in developing countries (Second edition) and lived experience, this publication and Access to adequate and clean sanitation 2 UNDP (2006) Economic and health effects of increasing coverage of contents would not have been possible. is dignifying. Before the Bio-centres were low cost sanitation interventions, Human Development Report Office constructed, many households in the occasional paper The voices and personal experiences settlements opted for open defecation and The findings point to a bright future and the other expensive modes of waste disposal. need to explore other potential beneficiaries The Bio-centres offer clean and adequate such as schools and settlements in Kenya facilities which are a pride of the user and the region. Umande Trust believes communities. Surrounding environments this innovative yet accessible approach to have changed as a result of better disposal sanitation provision is a right to all who methods available to the residents in the deserve access to basic facilities and services. settlements. The most innovative outcome However, challenges are abound in aspects has been the generation of gas which is of resource availability, cultural barriers a by-product of the waste breakdown and limited knowledge dissemination process. This renewable energy source has which in essence this publication aims to been used to power many commercial and provide. There is unmet potential and a household activities ranging from hotels needy household somewhere across many to warming water for the shower facilities of the settlements. Our efforts as partners located within the facilities. and communities will be important to leverage and achieve the desired results in the long run. Partner Testimonial In a joint partnership with Umande Trust, SustainableEnergy Denmark implemented the project ‘Under the Same Sky’ in Kibera. The project financed two of the Bio centers constructed by Umande Trust. One at Mashimoni Primary & Secondary School and the other at Sct. Christines Primary School in Raila Village. Not only do these Bio centers provides basic services such as water, toilets, cold and hot showers and income generating possibilities as seen in most of all other Bio centers but they do also offer access to the internet and through community courses provides various empowerment services like training in environmental issues, micro-credit, social audits and others. But most important is the use of the Bio centers as centers for Dialogue in the communities. With the ongoing challenges the communities in the slums are facing it is important to have places where people can meet and discuss current issues. The Dialogue centers are being used as community halls and thereby play a significant role in development of the communities and the ongoing and most needed dialogue between the different inhabitants. It was last seen up to the General Election in 2013 with the Peace and Reconciliation meetings held here. Vedvarende Energi/Organisation for Sustainable Energy Photo: N.Omar “Nobody can go back and Start a New Beginning, But Anyone can Start Today and Make a New Ending” - Maria Robinson Photo: N.Omar Contents About Umande.....1 The Bio Centre Project.....3 Bio Centres Kibera ......6 Mukuru .......30 Korogocho ....48 Mathare .....61 Kibagare .....65 Mji Wa Huruma.....67 Nakuru .....69 Nyanza & Kakamega ..... 71 Prof. Saad Yahya and the founding trustees settled on the name and brand `Umande’, a Kiswahili term for dew- connoting a new, unbiased, nascent beginning; not recycling the ideas, over-powering the growing disillusionment with business- as-usual approaches to development. UMANDE TRUST was to experiment, dream, and adapt innovative processes and methods; learning from, sharing and transforming urban communities. The organization registered as a trust in August 2004 and has since then managed to grow rapidly due to its credibility with community groups and the immense spirit of voluntarism and energy exhibited by its About Umande Trust core team of staff members. An extensive network with groups and associations UMANDE TRUST is a right based within informal settlements in Nairobi, agency with a mission to promote Nakuru and Kisumu has been established. innovations that position bio-sanitation and other related basic services as key UMANDE TRUST places emphasis on drivers of sustainable urban development. a multi-level approach that focuses on a product (access to urban water, bio- UMANDE TRUST believes that modest sanitation and solid waste management resources can significantly improve services) and a raft of community-led access to water and sanitation services processes (partnerships for change, if financial resources are strategically integrated urban environmental planning, invested in support of community-led sanitation governance, human rights and plans and actions. urban services financing). 1 UMANDE TRUST brings together teams OBJECTIVES VISION of resource persons who share a passion i. To support in the capacity building A society in which communities have, and commitment to learn from, share and of community organizations and/or as a basic human right, access to safe, achieve lasting change with people. The federations in order to enable them to adequate and affordable urban services. team comprises of community organizers, effectively manage and sustain water and geo-informatics specialists, urban planners, sanitation resources and services; MISSION human right activists, civil engineers, To promote innovations that position bio- social scientists, environmental, gender, ii. To facilitate the planning, building, and sanitation and other related basic services youth and enterprise development resource maintenance of community-based water as key drivers of sustainable urban personnel. All of who have several years of and environmental sanitation services; development. experience . iii. To promote the introduction, CORE VALUES Since 2004, UMANDE TRUST has adaptation, development and application Dignity and justice Transparency facilitated the community organizing for of best practices for improved delivery of and accountability, Participation and independent action but also to demand water and sanitation services; inclusion, and Mutual respect for partners fairness, accountability and competent services. iv. To conduct action-based research CAPABILITY