From the 1000-litre water tank to harvesting the seeds that have been sown

Water Mission

Barnaba had been given the opportunity to introduce himself to an African NGO in Kakuma town. He had presented his CBO, Teach for Community. He had also outlined his idea of how he wanted to set up a small agricultural business within the UNHCR camp in Kakuma. The members of the ‘Water Mission’ listened to him patiently and promised to help him realise his small-scale farming project once he had installed and commissioned his own 1,000-litre water tank. Barnaba was discouraged. He had believed that they would provide him with financial support to purchase this large water tank. But even he, an African, did not understand the language of the savannah dwellers. He was desperate. How was he supposed to manage this? He turned to his advisor and friend Georg-Josef and told him about this meeting. Georg-Josef immediately recognised the situation and sent Barnaba the following motivational letter:

The letter from George-Joseph to Barnabas

Dear Barnabas,

I would like to share something with you, not as criticism, but as encouragement. When you told me about the meeting with Water Mission and they said,

‘Once you have a water tank, we will help you further,’

it sounded harsh at first. Almost as if someone was promising you help and pushing you away at the same time. But in truth, there is an important test in this – not rejection.

In the savannah, no one helps those who wait.
But everyone listens to those who have started.

An old saying goes:

‘Those who carry a drop of water are given a jug.
Those who carry nothing are only shown the way to the river.’

The 1,000-litre water tank is not a gift you have to beg for. It is your first sign that you are ready to take responsibility – for yourself and for others. When you make this tank possible through small donations at the camp, something crucial happens:

You lift yourself out of the swamp of poverty, not because someone rescues you, but because you take the first step yourself. Then the organisations no longer come as saviours. Then they come as partners.

Remember this well, Barnabas: Networks are built before you need them. You ask about the important people, not to beg, but to know who you can approach later. And when you need them later, you don’t say:

‘Help me.’

Instead, you say:

‘I’ve made a start. Who will take the next step with me?’

Here’s another sentence you should never forget:

‘Those who take responsibility are taken seriously. Those who wait are put off.’

You are not passive.
You are not weak.
You are someone who has made a start.
And that is precisely why you will receive support – at the right time, on equal terms.

I believe in you.

Barnabas's answer was as follows:

Dear Grandad,

Thank you very much for your message. I accept it with deep gratitude and respect. Your words did not strike me as criticism at all – they seemed like advice based on wisdom and love.
What you told me helped me to view the situation with Water Mission from a clearer and stronger perspective. I now understand that this was not a rejection, but a test of my willingness and responsibility. The idea that those who have started something should also be heard resonates deeply with me. It has changed my way of thinking: I no longer wait for support, but prove my commitment through action.
I am grateful for the reminder that the 1,000-litre water tank is not something to beg for, but a symbol of the first step – for myself and for the community. Your words have encouraged me to focus on mobilising small contributions locally and leading by example, knowing that partnership comes after initiative.
I will take to heart your lesson about building networks before you need them and approaching people with progress rather than despair. It has boosted my confidence and made it clear to me how I should proceed.
Thank you for believing in me and always guiding me to think responsibly, with dignity and foresight. Your encouragement gives me the courage to keep going, even when the road seems difficult.

With respect and love
Barnabas

How to present your vision and motivate donors to support you

Georg-Josef closely followed the Instagram meeting with Water Mission. He noticed that Barnabas – although he usually talks passionately about his vision – sounded somewhat uncertain and cautious this time. Many listeners were paying attention, but the fire that usually characterises Barnabas’ enthusiasm was noticeably absent.

After the meeting, Barnabas was a little sad because it had not gone as he had hoped. Georg-Josef then explained to him that even in Europe and in industrialised countries, it takes many discussions, many meetings and numerous attempts before a sponsor is convinced to support someone financially – whether through donations, microloans or partnerships.

He made it clear that realising an idea requires planning, courage, perseverance and the ability to stay true to one’s vision. A product – whether food or another valuable item – must be carefully planned, created, harvested, packaged or presented in order to encourage people to use or buy it.

Barnabas understood: It is a difficult path, but it is precisely this path that shapes success. Those who take responsibility themselves, live their project and present it with conviction can motivate others to help. Their fire, enthusiasm and personal responsibility are the keys to winning sponsors and supporters.

How can you, Barnabas, present yourself better? How can you achieve your goal?

Dear Barnabas,

I am very pleased to see that you understood how the conversation with Water Mission was meant: not as a rejection, but as an invitation to take the first steps yourself. That is precisely where your strength lies.

Now I would like to share another important thought with you – something that often determines whether good ideas find support or are overlooked.

A good idea alone is not enough.

People support people who come across as confident.

You have knowledge.

You have experience as a nutrition manager, which you gained through UNHCR.

You know how important healthy food is in Kakuma.

That is a strong foundation for your mini-farm idea.

Now it’s a question of how you present this idea.

1. Your appearance is part of your message

In Africa too – especially among people who bear responsibility or manage resources – the following applies: The first impression determines whether someone listens or tunes out. You don’t have to wear expensive clothes.

But you should show that you take yourself and your project seriously.

Closed shoes instead of sandals, if possible
Clean, well-fitting trousers
Shirt or neat T-shirt (short sleeves are perfectly fine because of the heat)
Socks are not a must, but they can make your appearance appear clearer and more respectful

Clothes don’t say who you are, but how serious you are.

2. Your voice must carry, not doubt

When I saw your presentation, I felt: You know what you’re talking about – but you were unsure how to say it.

That’s normal. And that’s exactly what you can practise.

Speak slowly
Pause
Consciously emphasise important sentences
Look at your audience

You can practise this even without a mirror:

Ask your members – women and men – to give you honest feedback. Ask them – your association members:

Did I speak clearly?
Was I convincing?
Would you trust me?

This will strengthen yourself and your team.

3. Your team is part of your success

When your members are allowed to help with the preparations, something important happens: They learn to take action instead of waiting. That’s good for you. And it’s good for Teach for Community. An NGO does not become strong through outside help, but through people who think, speak and contribute.

Tell them:

‘I don’t need you as spectators, but as co-creators.’

4. Speak clearly about your goal

When you approach sponsors, say clearly:

What you want (mini farm, food security)
Why you want it (healthy food, self-sufficiency, dignity)
What you can already do (training, experience, planning)
What you are already doing yourself (own initiative, first steps)

Avoid colourful promises.

Speak calmly, honestly and specifically.

Those who speak clearly are taken seriously.

5. Remember this sentence

I want you to remember this sentence:

‘I am not asking for help, I am inviting you to collaborate.’

That changes everything. Barnabas, you have more power than you sometimes believe. Now it’s a matter of making sure that others recognise this too – through your demeanour, your voice and your clarity.

I will accompany you on this journey.

With confidence in you

Georg-Josef

President of

NADEUM

Hey there, supporters!

We would like to kindly inform you that if you are reading this and decide to support Barnabas and his association ‘Teach for Community’, you are welcome to do so by transferring the amount to the NADEUM bank account, specifying ‘Realising Barnabas’ vision of a mini farm’ as the purpose of the transfer.

We kindly ask you to transfer the amount ‘X’ to the NADEUM association’s current account at Oberbank. If you wish, you are welcome to use the following bank details. The IBAN is: AT35 1500 0041 1105 8816, the BIC: OBLAT2L. We would like to kindly point out that we request a fee of at least 50 euros for participation.

According to our information, the transfer costs for a transfer from a bank account in Austria to an African bank account amount to €16.00. We would like to kindly point out that in Africa itself, a transfer processing fee is charged, which must be paid by the recipient in addition. A fee of €4.00 is charged for transfers to the EQUITY bank account. We would like to politely point out that this fee is a processing fee charged by the respective banks. Western Union would be a possible option, whereby the senders would pay €8.00 and the African recipients or associations would pay a small additional amount when withdrawing the money. However, we would like to point out that in this case we cannot guarantee an objective assessment.

We would like to kindly point out that we need your contact details in order to keep you informed about the progress of this project. We would be very grateful if you could send us your contact details by email to ‘office@nadeum-wiko.eu’. Your data will only be used internally, unless you wish us to name you as an official sponsor of NADEUM and its projects in Africa. If you would like further information, you may find what you are looking for under the heading ‘Partners’. We would like to inform you that we can offer you both individually designed and pre-designed templates.

NADEUM / NADEUM-WIKO kindly requests that you always include the subject line in your email. This will enable us to keep a better overview.

The following equipment would be required:

🌱 1) Basic infrastructure – water & irrigation

💧 Water source & storage

🌍 Drilling / well or connection to a well

First, the well must be completed or a water connection must be available (e.g. UNHCR well or local water point).
From there, a water pipe (pipeline) is laid to the tank.

🚰 Water tank – e.g. 1,000 litres

Required as temporary storage and pressure reserve; minimum height approx. 2 m for gravity-driven irrigation (inexpensive & without pump).
Frequent recommendation: water tank for mini farms.
The price of a tank can vary depending on the type (plastic tanks are often in the mid-range, standard 1,000 litre tanks are available – prices vary depending on the market).

💧 Drip irrigation system

A drip irrigation system efficiently delivers water directly to the roots of plants and saves water, especially in dry regions (high efficiency up to 90%). unfccc.int

Affordable or modular options for mini farms:

Bucket / Drum Drip Kit (small, simple entry-level solution) – approx. 2,100 KES (approx. £13) to 10,000 KES (approx. £63) for small systems suitable for kitchen and demonstration gardens. irrihydrosol.co.ke
¼-acre kit (~900 m²) – approx. 35,000 – 40,000 KES (approx. £220–250) – incl. drip lines, fittings, filters. irrihydrosol.co.ke
½-acre kit (~1,800 m²) – approx. 65,000 KES (approx. £400) – often with 3,000 m of drip line, filter, valves & connectors. irrihydrosol.co.ke+1➡ Note: These kits usually do not include tanks or platforms, which must be purchased separately. irrihydrosol.co.ke

💡 Tip: For a 100 m x 100 m field (~1,000 m²), a ¼ acre kit is a suitable basic solution.

🧰 2) Tools for Soil Work & Daily Farming Activities

For a farm to function properly, simple and robust tools are essential:

Basic tools (frequently used, in good condition)

Tool	Purpose	Estimated Price in Kenya (used, good condition)
Shovels, Spades	Digging, planting, soil mixing	~500–1,500 KES per piece (~3–9 €)
Hoes	Weeding, loosening soil	~300–800 KES (~2–5 €)
Rakes	Soil leveling & seedbed preparation	~800–1,500 KES (~5–9 €)
Small wheelbarrow	Transport of tools, soil, harvest	~3,000–6,000 KES (~19–38 €)
Garden hoses (for temporary connections)	Between tank and piping if needed	~1,000–3,000 KES (~6–19 €)

💡 Note: These prices are indicative estimates for used, well-maintained tools from local or second-hand markets. New tools usually cost slightly more.

🌱 3) Seeds, seedlings & organic inputs

For a successful mini-farm, you will also need:

Seeds / seedlings (sukuma wiki, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, etc.)
Fertiliser / organic compost to increase yield
Mulch/ground cover to reduce evaporation

These inputs can be calculated as a one-time initial investment or an ongoing requirement.

👉 A small seed kit for vegetables can cost ~1,000–3,000 KES (~6–19 €) depending on the variety; organic compost/nitrogen fertiliser varies depending on the source.

🧠 4) Additional components & ideas

Pumps & energy

If the tank is to be pressurised or there are significant differences in height, a pump may be necessary – solar pumps are ideal in regions without electricity.

Simple solar pumps or small electric pumps often start at several tens of thousands of KES and more, depending on their performance.

Platform/frame for tank

A frame is needed to raise the tank above the fields (for gravity irrigation).

This can be made of wood/metal – costs depending on the material ~5,000–15,000 KES (~30–95 €) or more.

Workshop & repairs

Simple tools for maintenance:

Pipe wrenches, sealant, spare parts for drip lines ~1,000–3,000 KES (~6–19 €)

📊 Practical Example – Cost Overview for a Mini-Farm Setup (approx. 100m x 100m)

Position	Estimated Cost (KES)	Estimated (€)
1,000 L Water Tank	10,000–15,000	63–95
Water Tank Platform	5,000–15,000	30–95
Pipeline & Piping	5,000–10,000	30–63
¼ Acre Drip Irrigation Kit	35,000	220
Filters & Valves	Included in drip kit / separately 3,000–6,000	19–38
Tools (hoes, spades, etc.)	5,000	~31
Wheelbarrow	3,000–6,000	19–38
Seeds & Fertilizer	3,000	19
Contingency / Unforeseen costs	5,000	31
Total approx.	71,000–95,000 KES	~450–600 €

💡 Note: These prices are rough estimates based on the Kenyan market. Regional prices may vary, and import prices for specific components (such as filters or pumps) may be higher.

Source: irrihydrosol.co.ke

🧠 Tips for efficiency & sustainability

✅ Gravity instead of pumps:

A higher tank saves electricity/costs because irrigation works by gravity (ideal for drip irrigation). unfccc.int

✅ Mulching & soil care:

Mulch and organic material reduce water requirements and improve soil health.

✅ Modular drip systems:

Start with a smaller kit and expand it when you have more funds. irrihydrosol.co.ke

✅ Training & know-how:

Irrigation systems work best when users have received practical training beforehand.

🏁 Conclusion

A mini-farm project in a UNHCR camp such as Kakuma requires more than just a water tank, but with a manageable budget (~€450–600), it is possible to set up a functional irrigation system + basic tools and materials that will yield long-term returns.

A combination of drip irrigation, gravity tanks, simple tools and good planning enables sustainable, efficient agriculture even under difficult climatic conditions. irrihydrosol.co.ke

NADEUM / NADEUM-WIKO only provides support

Nadeum only provides support on condition that the recipient pre-finances the necessary items and actually uses them. It does not matter what items are involved. Proof that at least 50% to 90% of the necessary items have been pre-financed is mandatory.

All necessary items must be documented. African recipients must have pre-financed at least 50% to 90% of the items. This must be documented by a purchase agreement and, if possible, by photographs. Clear evidence of the goods must be provided to us to prove that they have actually been purchased and are in use.
We will only contribute a partial amount once we have received donations.

Our donations are not an end in themselves. The recipient has a duty to use the funds received from NADEUM for their intended purpose. This means that the project must be realised and, upon realisation, 10% of the profits must either be used to support others or saved to enable a better position in the event of their own emergency.

Weitere Informationen siehe unter:

“2 TFC-Projekte & Berichte“