The Waters of Ccotataqui
The community of Ccotataqui in celebration of water - for themselves, their crops and livestock, and for its continuation on earth.
Alpaca herding, the primary source of livelihood for indigenous communities in Peru, is threatened from climate change.
After years of observing changes in the landscape, the community of Ccotataqui, Peru identified water as a main concern for the future. Elders looked towards the young people to build partnerships, envision solutions, and take action for this vital element and sustainer of life- water.
The young leaders created a grassroots association, ASODEBICC (Asociación para el Desarollo y Bienestar de la Comunidad de Ccotatqui), and worked with various US partners to develop a four-phased plan that combines traditional ecological knowledge and western techniques.
Completion of Proyecto ‘Cruz Pata’ for water retention. Water is also returned to the earth in the ancient conservation technique of ‘amunas’, or recharging of the groundwater.
Locally led Adaptation
Who wants a cookie cutter approach? No one. Especially when it doesn’t work. But the ‘Mukuru Approach’? We like it.
With over 10 years in Community-based Planning for one of the largest slums in Nairobi, the outcomes were different. The Global Center for Adaptation shares their main principles:
Meaningful Engagement (of over 400,000 residents! with every latrine, water tap, and electricity pole mapped)
Genuine partnerships, at different levels (we must continue to widen the tent)
Integrated solutions
Out-of-the-box thinking on what planning and execution can look like in resource-constrained areas
Photo by Peter Muiruri on a new thoroughfare (once an ‘open sewer’ in Mukuru, Nairobi.)