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