Masai still without water a year after marathon quest

SIX Masai warriors who ran the London Marathon to raise funds for a well in their Tanzanian village are still struggling to find clean water.

The group raised thousands of pounds when they competed in last year's event, but 12 months on the tribe are still drinking dirty water.

More than £65,000 has been spent on drilling and surveys to find a clean source but the project - run by non-profit organisation Greenforce - has failed to provide a decent drinking supply, raising questions over its management. Water aid charities working in Africa have asked why such a large sum of money was spent when cheaper alternatives were available.

Ian Thorpe, chief executive of Pump Aid, expressed "concern and disappointment" that money appeared to have been wasted. He was travelling to the village, Eluai, to assess the project and offer advice.

The Masai mission was much-celebrated when the six warriors ran the marathon in tribal costume, using car tyres for shoes and carrying spears and shields, after training by stalking lions. Public support was so great that donations reached nearly £115,000, twice the water project's target.

Despite the fundraising success, the project has been hampered by overspending and a lack of success. Initial drilling found only rock and, although the area was arid, deeper excavation was ordered because of the tribe's belief that water was available.

Greenforce paid for more drilling despite the view of surveyors that there was no groundwater. It was also unsuccessful and surveys by independent contractors also led to nothing. Each drilling project cost between £10,000 and £15,000.

African contractors inflated their prices after learning on the internet that the project raised more money than expected.

Greenforce's chief executive, Marcus Watts, said: "They're eating into the money pretty quickly. We've easily gone through £65,000. We would have liked to have been putting pipes in by now. It is frustrating, but that's Africa."

He said he remained confident the project would succeed, having found a water source a fortnight ago.