ALIN applies for funding to conserve Wangwachi dam

By Bob Aston

Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN) applied for funding from Grand Challenges Canada Fund to be able to raise funds towards reduction of water-borne diseases through conservation of Wangwachi dam in Laikipia, Kenya.

The essence of the idea is to harness green energy technologies for integrated watershed management, conservation and water supply systems that will increase incomes through production of irrigated nutritious food and reduction of waterborne diseases among vulnerable communities.

ALIN logo

The best ideas will be selected out of 750 global applications through online voting. Laikipia Rural Voices would like to urge you to watch the 2 minutes idea and vote for ALIN to succeed.

To register your vote open the link given below and click on ‘LIKE THIS APPLICATION’. Feel free to share through your networks so that ALIN can get as many votes as possible! Here is the link; http://applications.grandchallenges.ca/en/viewVideo/28735E6AA3EF3EB54A755023 the voting session will expire on 15th November 2013 at 1pm.

The proposed measures that ALIN is proposing towards this project is the conservation of the catchment area of Wangwachi dam. The dam is a critical resource that is shared by over 20,000 humans and over 200,000 animals. This is a fact which contributes to the high vulnerability of local community to diseases borne by animals.

During the long dry period contamination level in the water increases. Local farmers have extended their garden plots to the very edge of the dam. The close interaction between human and animals causes a transfer of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentry and bilhazia among others.

“Local users will be organized into a water user Association and a Catchment and dam management plan will be developed. Users will also be trained on the use of appropriate water purification system,” said Samwel Mwangi, Team Leader Community Empowerment ALIN.

“The project will also ensure separation of access point for both human and animals as well as water and sanitation campaign for the more than 20,000 users of the dam,” said Samwel.

The access points will be powered by a solar wind highbreed generator since there is no electricity in the project site.

Opportunity for Training on Citizen Journalism Course

By Bob Aston

Do you have a passion for writing? Do you want to make a difference in your community? Then this opportunity is for you!!!

ALIN, through Marigat Maarifa Centre (Located at the Divisional Livestock office and a branch at Ilng’arua) is inviting interested candidates for a Citizen Journalism training opportunity.

The short writing course is aimed at training local reporters around Marigat on highlighting community local issues, development initiatives, farmer innovations and making their voices heard on issues affecting them through the Internet and other appropriate info dissemination channels.

Citizen Reporters during a training session

Requirements are: Passion to write articles, form four leaver with at least a C(PLAIN ) in English and Kiswahili, ICT compliant however, interested candidates with no ICT skills will be trained on the same skills, must be willing to do voluntary writing for communities after the training.

If you are interested, please write an application letter or visit Marigat Maarifa Centre for registration. You can also contact the Field Officer, Joyce Okuta on this number; 0728 074 136 or send an email to marigatmaarifa@alin.net expressing your interest before 4th November 2013.

Selection of the 15 trainees will be done of 1st come basis! The training activity will take place in November and selected participants will be informed accordingly! ALIN will meet all the training expenses and will award a certificate of participation to successful candidates after assessing their articles contributed over a period of three months.

How it works

By Bob Aston

ALIN invites people around Marigat Maarifa Centre and beyond on voluntary basis to learn basic article writing, photography and videography as approaches to telling stories to the world audience. ALIN will provide a platform for the Citizen reporters to post their stories. The platform includes access to computers at Marigat Maarifa Centre and use of Marigat Citizen Voices (MCV) which has been developed for Citizen Journalism purposes.

The CReporters are then trained on use of Internet resources including, blogging, uploading and downloading content.

Everything that's posted on ALIN CJB must be vetted by a team of moderators who reviews the posted content and pulls material that is flagged by the community as in violation of CReporters guidelines. Depending on sensitivity of the story, the moderators will vet and undertake fact-checking and verifying the details of a story.

About us

By Bob Aston

This is a citizen journalism blog sponsored by Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), an international non-governmental developmental organization. It is located in the heart of the community surrounding Marigat Maarifa Centre.

Citizen Journalism Reporting (CJR) is an invitation for you to be part of ALIN BLOG's coverage of the stories you care about and an opportunity to be a part of a global community of men and women who are as passionate about development news as you are. At ALIN we believe that looking at the news from different angles gives us a deeper understanding of what's going on. We also know that the world is an amazing place filled with interesting people doing fascinating things that don't always make the news. 

That's why CJR is full of tools to help you tell your stories using various approaches and discuss the issues that are important in Baringo County. 

Together, ALIN can paint a more complete picture of the news and events happening in Baringo County. We'd love for you to join us. Jump on in, tell your story and see how it connects with someone on the other side of the world.