Informaon Pack 2015 · 2015) we are planning to improve water supply to villages in rural Cameroon...
Transcript of Informaon Pack 2015 · 2015) we are planning to improve water supply to villages in rural Cameroon...
Informa�on Pack 2015
Contents
About Us………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
The Cause………………………………………………………………………………... 3
Our Solu on…………………………………………………………………………….. 3
Associates……………………………………………………………………………….. 5
Our Records…………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Our Previous Projects………………………………………………………………. 7
This Year’s Project……………………………………………………………………. 9
The Future……………………………………………………………………………….. 11
Funding……………………………………………………………………………………. 13
Support Us……………………………………………………………………………….. 14
Our Approach………………………………………………………………………….. 4
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AboutUsFounded in 2009, Cameroon Catalyst is a student led charity based at the University of Southampton. We are focussed on bringing together students with specialists to help facilitate sustainable development in rural Cameroon. We use our resources as effec vely as we can to implement las ng, sustainable projects which are well researched and fulfil a real need.
The charity was set up to assist the work of Mosame Trust, an exis ng organisa on working in Cameroon. As a result of this contact we were able to take on projects which we knew were useful and valuable to the community. The last five years are a testament to this as we have seen the posi ve impact of our work year on year. The University of Southampton has supported us throughout, it provides around 30 student volunteers each year and the facili es for the research and design of the projects.
This year we are beginning a new phase moving into the surrounding villages and focussing on water and sanita on. In the first two years (beginning in 2015) we are planning to improve water
supply to villages in rural Cameroon by building spring protec ons, fixing issues with exis ng pumps and construc ng new pumps where there are not enough.
In the summer a group of students will be going out to Cameroon to assist with construc on. This gives students experience of a project with real results. Taking part in these projects is a fantas c experience for students and gives team members a chance to grow and develop new skills while making an impact. This learning prepares students for the working world both in the commercial and not‐for‐profit sector.
Cameroon Catalyst brings
students together with
specialists to help facilitate
sustainable development in
rural Cameroon
“Cameroon Catalyst made me realise the impact I could have as an engineer, and mo vated me to pursue development projects in my professional job”.
Ma hew Ducke , former Cameroon Catalyst member who is now a structural engineer for BuroHappold, working on a Kenyan school project.
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TheCause
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OurSolutionOur mission is to be the catalyst for sustainable change in rural Cameroon. We achieve this by empowering the local community with skills, which are passed on from our UK network of universi es and professional associates through engineering infrastructure projects which incorporate training for the community.
Through our projects we also hope to encourage more development ini a ves from the local community and the government. For example, when Cameroon Catalyst built two classrooms in the village of Bambou , Mosame Trust were able to employ two teachers and school a endance increased by 40%. This result lead to the government redeveloping the village’s original school building so that the school’s capacity has now increased from 85 to 350 children.
Chronic poverty in Cameroon stands at 26%¹. This means that over 5 million people are in long‐term poverty. The North and the East provinces are significantly poorer than the rest of the country. The problems in Cameroonian governance mean that there is very li le foreign investment, and the money the government does have is not being distributed to where it is needed. With a life expectancy below average for Sub‐Saharan Africa and only half of the rural popula on with access to clean water², there is a real need for ac on in Cameroon.
¹h p://www.worldbank.org/en/country/cameroon/overview ²h p://data.worldbank.org/country/cameroon
OurApproachWe work in collabora on with organisa ons such as Ar cle 25, The University of Southampton and Hydrogeologist Without Borders. Our approach is to iden fy the main issues on a community by undertaking local research and collabora ng with these skilled organisa ons to iden fy appropriate technical solu ons.
The solu ons are implemented by working closely with the community to develop infrastructure improvements across the full spectrum of healthcare provision, primary educa on, economic issues and water and sanita on.
As far as possible, we use local skills and materials in our work, helping to develop the skills of local cra sman and labourers. In doing so we aim to implement projects that will have a
worth far greater than simply the projects themselves. We have a proven track record in our projects becoming the catalyst for sustainable community development as new skills lead to new development projects at a grass roots level.
Design Fundraise Build
The project is designed by university students in the UK. Supervision and assistance is provided by industry specialists.
Funds for the project are raised throughout the year to help deliver the project.
Each year a team travels to Cameroon to assist with the construc on of the project.
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How we work
AssociatesTo ensure the project is of the highest standard, and to give students industry experience, Cameroon Catalyst is supported by a network of partners.
The Mosame Trust (registered charity 1132546) is based in Cameroon which focuses on providing a home and a future for orphaned children in the village of Bambou . We worked par cularly closely with Mosame Trust for the first five years when our projects were situated in Bambou village. They have supplied staff for the medical centre and schools, as wellas providing us with connec ons on the ground while research is carried out in the UK.
Ar cle 25 became involved with Cameroon Catalyst in 2013. They are an experienced architecture and engineering development charity and have engineered projects such as the Gourcy School project. They provide strategic advice an project specific design and implementa on support. We have learned a great deal from Ar cle 25 and con nue to have regular mee ngs to review our plans with them.
The University of Southampton is where Cameroon Catalyst began and has supported us throughout the years. Facilita ng fundraising and aiding with the design process, the University is a valued partner of Cameroon Catalyst. The University was par cularly suppor ve during the solar energy project where professors supervised the build and where we partnered with another university charity “Energy for Development” who provided the electrical knowledge required.
For this year’s project we are in close collabora on with Hydrogeologists Without Borders. They are accompanying some of our team to Cameroon in February 2015 to carry out water quality and borehole analysis to ensure that the work carried out in the summer is of the highest standard, best mee ng the requirements of the areas in which we are working.
Over the years we have worked with many organisa ons depending on the specialist advice required for each project.
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OurRecordAs a result of the commitment to research and the expert advice and support we receive from our partners, as well as the opportuni es we provide to UK students, our projects have received a number of awards including:
In 2013 the Cameroon Catalyst team won the ICE Kenne Watson Travel Award. This is awarded by the QUEST Commi ee to students undertaking overseas Civil Engineering projects.
Cameroon Catalyst has also been recognised by the Ins tu on of Structural Engineers as “an inspira onal example of best prac se in structural engineering educa on”.
The charity was awarded the prize for Outstanding Performance by a group of students, overcoming many other accredited student charity groups in the process.
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The University of Birmingham’s Engineering Without Borders formed a partnership with Cameroon Catalyst in 2013, dispersing the charity to other universi es. The Birmingham University branch has gathered much interest from students who meet once a week to discuss and design a rainwater harves ng system for the village of Bambou . to develop an interna onal project. the UK.
PreviousProjects
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2010: Healthcare 2011: Appren ceships
The closest medical centre was located 15km away from the village. For those without a vehicle, it was impossible to get the help required when sick which had serious implica ons in medical emergencies.
A health centre was built in Bambou ; midway between two exis ng medical centres, reducing travel mes. It provided a place for basic medical work and vaccina ons.
The access to vaccina ons and healthcare has had a massive impact on the village. Infant mortality rate was at 40% and has been reduced by 90% since the construc on of the medical centre.
There was a lack of skilled based jobs in Bambou , leading to insufficient job opportuni es. This in turn meant that there was li le economic ac vity in the area.
The workshop was design consisted of three elements: a mechanic workshop, communal area and a teaching area.
The workshop has developed Bambou from having no training facili es in 2009 to a place where young people can learn various skills. One excellent success story from the workshop is Guy, who has become a fully trained mechanic, and is now managing a small garage in the village.
For the past 5 years, our work has focused on improving opportuni es in the village of Bambou . Through this me we have completed five successful
projects across a wide number of areas, from educa on to healthcare.
Our work has provided an important role in helping develop the village and to empower the local community.
Community engagement is at the hear of each project, and has been key for the success of these projects.
We have been able to witness first‐hand the effect our work has had on the village over the last 5 years, and have vastly improved the opportuni es for the members of the village.
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2012: Educa on 2013: Electrifica on
Low quality housing is the source of much poor health within rural Cameroon. Roofs are largely not water ght and therefore people live in damp condi ons or turn to sheet metal for roofing which is not easily found in this area, as well as being difficult to repair if it breaks or rusts.
The project built an innova ve mud‐brick house which improved upon local building techniques to be more affordable. This house was designed with occupant health as a priority.
The nurses now have their own well‐built accommoda on and local builders have learned new skills which can be put into prac ce in the area to improve the standard of local housing.
2014: Housing
The exis ng school was severely overcrowded, and the school building was structurally unsound. In an unsuitable building, educa on was not valued and teachers were frequently absent.
In order to increase the priority of educa on, two new school blocks were constructed with the capacity for 80 students.
Pass rates have increased from 20% before the school construc on up to 75% in 2014. The success of the school has encouraged villagers to send children to school rather than stay at home and has seen a endance increase from 45% in 2010 to 85% in 2014.
Many people in Cameroon do not have access to the na onal electricity network, and therefore rely on kerosene or diesel as sources of fuel. In confined and poorly ven lated housing, this causes respiratory problems and are inefficient for those with poor eyesight.
The project saw the construc on of a solar powered generator and the containing “hub” building in the centre of the village.
The project has provided affordable electricity to the village, and has allowed vaccina ons to be stored at the health centre. Access to electricity has also provided the means for micro businesses to start up.
ThisYear’sProjectA er the success of our projects in Bambou and following extensive research of the surrounding villages, Cameroon Catalyst is now looking to expand into these villages with a similar model. Our research last summer showed that there is a significant lack of clean water in the villages. Around 50% of the rural popula on do not have access to clean drinking water¹ and many locals are developing cholera, diarrhoea and stomach problems as a result of unsafe water sources. In the small village of Mbele Mbeke, a single pump could significantly reduce the prevalence of these diseases.
Having decided to focus on providing water to people based on our research, we then began to look into the prac cali es of the project. It became clear that more research was needed to make sure that we were providing clean drinking water in the best way possible for the communi es. In February 2015 some of our team went to Cameroon to carry out extensive tests with help from Hydrogeologists Without Borders.
The results of these tests have shown that any new water pumps can be hand dug,
saving significantly on costs. Water quality tests were also conducted at 21 different loca ons where people collect their water. Of these 21 drinking sources, one third of them were either broken or unusable for reasons such as being too close to toilets, having rubbish thrown into them and parts of the structures having rusted.
Resul ng from this research, a two year project has been devised. This year (2015) we are construc ng spring protec on in 3 different villages in order to keep water sources safe and clean. We will also conduct more tests and collect data on where addi onal pumps should be installed next year.
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Our research highlighted the
severe need for improved
water and sanita on in the
region.
¹Unicef, State of the World’s Children 2015
Water quality test in a supply spring conducted by Cameroon Catalyst and HWB
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In February it was found that some projects from other organisa ons have previously drilled the wells to unnecessary depths, was ng funding which could be be er spent elsewhere. We do not want to make the same sort of mistakes and will make sure what we deliver serves it’s purpose and is cost efficient. In the second year we will act on our tests and construct new pumps for the villages where they are needed.
For the next two years we need £40 000 (more details on p.13) and are en rely reliant on fundraising and your support. We plan to spend £15 000 this year and £25 000 next year. A vital part of Cameroon Catalyst’s approach is to ensure that a project, once completed, can be maintained by the local community without assistance from overseas. Therefore, this year’s project also incorporates training local people about water hygiene and pump
maintenance. To help facilitate this we will have an ac ve member of the charity living in East Cameroon from September this year. Their main role will be to help teach locals about sustainability and correct maintenance prac ces required. They will also be able to oversee any construc on work and ensure water supplies are being maintained correctly.
This project will require close collabora on with other chari es, local and interna onal, based in the area. Through this two year project we will improve links with these organisa ons, allowing for coopera on in future years. We are commi ed to working cohesively with other organisa ons to make the most efficient use of resources.
50% of rural Cameroon
doesn't have access to clean
water
Collec ng drinking water from a dirty spring is something no child should have to do
TheFutureHaving completed our first five projects in Bambou , the charity is now looking to expand its influence to the wider community. Research was undertaken over the summer of 2013 by a team of students to assess the situa on of the villages in the community and found that poor water and sanita on remains a major issue across North Eastern Cameroon. This is one of the most basic human rights, and has the poten al to bring the greatest change in the local community.
A locked water pump in rural Cameroon.
The majority of water pumps are locked for most of the day in order to preserve the limited supply of water.
Focusing on water and sanita on will allow us to use our experience more effec vely as we are able to learn from previous projects. By incorpora ng the findings from our work into our projects, we will be able to add more value to the work carried out in future.
We remain in communica on with Mosame Trust in order to monitor previous projects in Bambou from the point of view of the local community.
We aim to encourage more community engagement and involvement all year round through a local representa ve of Cameroon Catalyst who will be based in the community.
1. Focus on Water and Sanita on
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2. Consulta on, Evalua on and Monitoring all year round
3. Community Mobilisa on at the core of every project
Several chari es operate in the region, but a lack of coordina on some mes results in an inefficient use of resources. We want to open up channels of communica on so that projects throughout the area are cohesive and complimentary.
4. Improved Links with other NGOs
We have iden fied several key aims for our next five years:
Drawing from the support of our professional partners, we aim to implement projects across a key number of areas:
Latrines
Rainwater Harves ng
Water
Support Infrastructure
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Focusing on Water &
Sanita on will allow us to
improve our project cycle
and help ensure we deliver
the most effec ve projects.
Ar cle 25, Rainwater Harves ng Project, Hai
Queuing for water in rural Cameroon
Ar cle 25, Latrines in Hai
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FundingOur two year project budget is £40 000. This will fund spring protec ons, new pumps, necessary tes ng, educa ng locals, and a member on the ground in Cameroon. While £40 000 will provide all we plan within the two years, the project is scalable and addi onal funding would enable us to increase our impact throughout the two years with similar water related schemes.
As the charity is en rely volunteer run, we are able to keep our overheads low and ensure the money goes directly to the people we need to help. All students which wish to par cipate in the summer trip must cover their own costs.
The material cost of construc on to provide clean water is significant but over this project we are aiming to keep our focus on the sustainability of the project. Inves ng in community development with a local representa ve in Cameroon will mean that the local people can take ownership of the project, elimina ng reliance on overseas aid in the long term.
Personal Fundraising Group Fundraising Corporate Funding
Students involved in the team organise personal fundraising events across the year.
As a team we put on larger scale fundraising events such as quizzes, cake sales and club nights in aid of Cameroon Catalyst.
Corporate sponsorship is a key part of our work and vital for us to carry our work on this scale.
How we spend our money
How we fundraise
SupportUsTo reach our £40 000 target we need your support, and anything you can give would be greatly appreciated. We would also be grateful for any assistance, guidance or media coverage that you or your organisa on feels that they could provide us with, either now or in the future.
In addi on, if you have any feedback about our organisa on and this brochure, we would really value your opinions so that as we move forward we can con nue improving.
Further informa on is available on our website: www.camerooncatalyst.org
Alterna vely email us at [email protected]
Be part of the catalyst for change 14
£2000 Full installa on of 1 hand dug pump
Registered Address: Cameroon Catalyst, 46 Clonmel Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0SR
www.camerooncatalyst.org
Cameroon Catalyst is a registered charity in England and Wales (1155758)
February 2015
This leaflet has been produced on 100% recycled paper