Marathon Masai lose cash in search for water - Update

When six Masai warriors tackled the London Marathon last year to raise money for a well in their remote village, they probably thought that the gruelling run would be the most difficult part of their quest for clean water.

Twelve months later, and despite having raised tens of thousands of pounds, the tribe is still drinking dirty water. More than £65,000 has been spent on drilling and surveys that have failed to find a clean source.

The setback raises questions about management of the project, run by Greenforce, a British not-for-profit organisation focused on gap-year students and career breaks.



Water aid charities that work in Africa questioned why such vast sums were being spent when cheaper alternatives were available.

The Masai’s mission drew admiration and support across Britain last April when six warriors ran the marathon in tribal costume, wearing shoes made from used car tyres and carrying sticks and shields. So impressed were the British public by the tribesman, who trained by stalking lions, that they gave almost twice the water project’s £60,000 target — a total of £114,726.

Pump Aid, expressed “concern and disappointment” that money appeared to have been wasted. After being alerted to the problems, Pump Aid’s chief executive, Ian Thorpe was travelling to Eluai, the Masai’s village in northern Tanzania, to assess the project and offer advice.