This project is made possible through the partnership of Water Charity and the National Peace Corps Association.
Location
Kunkunuru, Greater Accra Region, Ghana
Community Description
Call to Nature Permaculture has a general site for its school garden that is a two-acre piece of land offered by the elders of Kunkunuru community. The site has a small dam that was created through sand winning activities (illegal sand mining) many years back. Due to a high water table and a good amount of clay, the existing dam is suitable to store water for gardening.
Problem Addressed
It takes students many hours to scoop enough water from the dam to water the whole field. This does not give them enough time to engage in other activities, which include preparing beds, planting, weeding, staking, and numerous other tasks. Better water storage and distribution system are needed to improve effectiveness.
Project Description
This project is to greatly increase the water storage capacity and build an extensive water distribution system.
After excavating, vetiver grass will be planted on the banks of the dam to keep it firm and compact since its root travels many meters into the soil. After this, water plants will be introduced into the dam to prevent evaporation and also to improve aquatic life in the dam.
An irrigation system will be set up to allow many hours of watering will be done in just 5-10 minutes, thereby giving the community enough time to engage in other activities. The main system will consist of PVC pipes running through the middle of the farm. Attached to these are the spray tubes, which run between the planting beds. A water pump will pull water from the dam and distribute it through the spray tubes to water the plants.
Through this project, students are able to learn how to grow their own food using permaculture, a method that cares for the earth, people and fair trade. At the beginning of every week, the produce is harvested and shared among the schools for their meals, the surplus is sold at a well-organized farmers market, and money is saved to support poor students to further their education. In addition, surplus food is donated to the orphanage and the disabled institutions.
The project accomplishes many objectives, including the development and proliferation of the permaculture technology, teaching useful skills to students, improving food security in the community, assisting in small business development, and providing humanitarian aid.
Community Organization
Call to Nature Permaculture, led by Solomon Amuzu, its Founder and Director
Project Impact
This project will benefit more than 3,000 people.
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Michael McGaskey
Monitoring and Maintenance
Michael and Solomon will supervise the construction. The improvements will be maintained by Call to Nature Permaculture
This project is made possible through the generosity of an anonymous donor.
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This project has been completed. To read about the conclusion, CLICK HERE.
