Northern Tanzania · 2020–2024
Rainwater for the Maasai
What began as a round of phone calls in 2020 became 550 rainwater harvesting units across the Maasai regions outside Arusha. Daily water collection fell from roughly nine hours to under two. This is how it happened, entry by entry.
- raised
- $300K
- units deployed
- 550
- people served
- 30,000
20201 entry
Dec 2020
First Fundraising Effort
Raised $20K through phone calls, emails, and outreach for the first rainwater harvesting unit.
20211 entry
Dec 2021
First Visit to Tanzania
Visited the site for the first rainwater harvesting unit and walked with Joseph, a local Maasai tribesman, to understand the community's challenges firsthand.
20222 entries
Jun 2022
Second Round of Fundraising
Launched another round of fundraising, raising $27K and engaging more families to join the effort.
Dec 2022
Surveying the Maasai Community
Brought six students to Losimingori to survey the Maasai community and assess the impact of the rainwater harvesting unit.
20237 entries
Feb 2023
Deployment of Three More Units
Deployed three additional rainwater harvesting units, further expanding the reach of the project.
Apr 2023
Speech in Arusha
Spoke in front of 600+ international delegates at a conference in Arusha, discussing the project’s impact on the Maasai community.
June 2023
Impact Summary
Summarized the impact of the deployed units and began sharing the results more broadly to gain further support.
Oct 2023
Involving Middle Schoolers
Engaged middle school students in fundraising efforts to expand the reach of the project.
Nov 2023
Fundraising Dinner with Mbayani in California
Hosted a fundraising dinner with Mbayani, a Maasai leader, in California to raise funds for the 100 rainwater harvesting units.
Nov 2023
Community Meeting with Deepak Ramola
Organized a dinner with 40 people in the Bay Area to discuss the work and future goals for the project.
Dec 2023 / Sep 2024
Remote Sensing Studies
Studied remote sensing, satellite imaging, and related technologies to enhance project outcomes.
20247 entries
Mar 2024
Melvin Jones Humanitarian Award
Received the Melvin Jones Humanitarian Award for the project’s impact on the Maasai community.
Jun 2024
Deployment of 10 Tanks
Deployed 10 more 5000-liter tanks, expanding the program to involve more families and students.
Aug 2024
Third Fundraising Round
Raised $40K in the third round of fundraising through multiple pitches to families and supporters.
Sep 2024
Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for the project’s impact on the Maasai community.
Sep/Oct 2024
Deployment Plan for 100 Units
Started the project to deploy 100 rainwater units in zones identified through satellite image maps.
Nov 2024
Completion of 100 Unit Deployment
Successfully completed the deployment of 100 rainwater units, providing sustainable water access to the Maasai community.
Dec 2024
Presentation to NeurIPS
Presented the project at NeurIPS, a leading AI conference, to discuss the use of AI in water access projects.