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Susan Kung’u Finance and Administration Officer Katie Allan Information and Communication Officer GHARP/KRA

Applying digital technology in a regional network: what we have learned and are still learning GHARP case study 2010. Susan Kung’u Finance and Administration Officer Katie Allan Information and Communication Officer GHARP/KRA. We will discuss…. Introduction (overview of GHARP’s work)

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Susan Kung’u Finance and Administration Officer Katie Allan Information and Communication Officer GHARP/KRA

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  1. Applying digital technology in a regional network: what we have learned and are still learning GHARP case study 2010 Susan Kung’u Finance and Administration OfficerKatie Allan Information and Communication OfficerGHARP/KRA

  2. We will discuss… • Introduction (overview of GHARP’s work) • GHARP’s communications now! • Digital integration so far… • Challenges • Future plans

  3. 1. Introduction Greater Horn of Africa Rainwater Partnership (GHARP) A regional network of non-profit national rainwater associations from the Greater Horn of Africa countries • Ethiopia Rainwater Association (ERHA) • Kenya Rainwater Association (KRA) • Rainwater Association of Somalia (RAAS) • Rainwater Association of Tanzania (RHAT) • Uganda Rainwater Association (URWA)

  4. Vision That all people have access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water supplies for productive uses

  5. Mission • To improve: • water supply • food security • environmental sustainability • through development, improvement, and promotion of rainwater harvesting and management (RHM) systems and complementary technologies in partnership with other stakeholders.

  6. GHARP’S project work • Rainwater harvesting in rural areas, Kenya • Domestic rainwater harvesting & capacity building, Uganda • Promotion of rainwater harvesting initiatives, Ethiopia • Advocacy & community-based projects, Somalia

  7. Focus on KRA 1 Water pan, livestock trough, farm pond, & drip irrigation

  8. Focus on KRA 2 School rainwater harvesting and sanitation systems

  9. Focus on KRA 3 Rock catchment systems, sand dams, sub-surface dams

  10. Focus on KRA 4 Bee-keeping, tree-planting, animal-drawn dam scoop, & hay baler

  11. 2. GHARP’S communications now! 1. Mvua newsletter (hardcopy & electronic) 2. Annual reports & strategic plans (hardcopies & electronic) 3. GHARP Website 4. GHARP Facebook and Twitter 5. Presentations at conferences 6. Occasional radio, TV, and press pieces

  12. GHARP’S audiences • Water NGOs • Our members and partners, including the GHARP network of rainwater orgs • Potential funders/donors • Government (especially water, irrigation, and agriculture) • Community-based organisations (CBOs) • Farmers

  13. Purpose of our communications • Promoting the importance of rainwater harvesting and management (RHM). • Selling the idea of RHM as a low-cost and sustainable option for poverty reduction. • Communicating across the GHARP network • Technical knowledge-sharing. • Sharing information on the work of our partners, project updates etc… • Ensuring RHM is visible to Government.

  14. 3. Digital integration so far… • Website upgrade • Building a Facebook fan base • Building a Twitter network • Google Booksearch

  15. Current GHARP website www.gharainwater.org • A focal point for information • Project summaries • Photos • Contact details But… • Created in 2001 • Static site (Dreamweaver) • Complicated to update • Collaboration not possible • No database or method for storing member info • No option for online donations

  16. GHARP website upgrade www.gharainwater.org • A focal point for information & sharing (blog) • Interactive project summaries • Photos, video, audio • Members/partners section with database • Resource centre • Content management system (CMS) • Dynamic site • Collaboration IS possible • Twitter, Facebook, RSS • E-commerce option (ie donations via website)

  17. Facebook and Twitter www.facebook.com/GHARP.water and http://twitter.com/GHARP.rainwater • Important for building a following and fan base • Push and pull effect • Regular updates on projects across the GHARP network • Announcing events • Networking with other like-minded organisations • Twitter = 31 followers • Facebook = 41 fans

  18. Google Booksearch Option to purchase Hard copy book digitised Options for advertising revenue Downloadable sections

  19. Challenges • Low broadband capability (changing with new fibre-optic cable). • Technical complexity of Dreamweaver (some html knowledge preferable). • Sourcing a web design supplier in Nairobi – cost versus quality. • Ensuring site design which has impact in both East Africa and in main donor countries. • Issues with ISP and hosting services in Kenya. • Managing digital integration as a small NGO network on a low budget. • Decisions & investment on use of languages in addition to English (Kiswahili, Amharic, local languages).

  20. Future plans • Completion of our upgraded website & training on CMS. • Growing our Facebook & Twitter fans/followers. • Linking Facebook updates to farmers and CBO’s using mobile technology (Opera Mini). • Encouraging information sharing and debate via the GHARP blog and especially with the GHARP network. • Encouraging donations & funding via the website. • Animated maps of project sites (Googlemaps?) • Animated map of technical components of a rainwater harvesting system • Earning revenue via Google Booksearch. • Monitoring website usage via Google Analytics. • More radio slots with promotion of website for further info. • Translation of selected hard copy & digital text into Kiswahili, Amharic, and local languages.

  21. Thank you Thank you

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