Capacity development within the project CuveWaters includes academic education and non-academic training.

Academic education

Scientific work and education is generated through several bachelor, masters and PhD theses by both Namibian and German students. Field studies at the pilot plants were an essential part of their work. A two-week vacation school (summer school) on IWRM was organized for Namibian students in 2011 in collaboration with the Polytechnic of Namibia (PoN), the University of Namibia (UNAM) and the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN). Lectures have been given to Namibian students in close cooperation with the academic institutions.

Non-academic training

The technical, non-academic training supports the improvement of the national vocational training system. Training enables local residents to autonomously maintain and operate the facilities even beyond the project’s duration. It fosters sharing of knowledge and ownership.

Operator training: CuveWaters trains people to operate and maintain the solar desalination plants as well as the sanitation and wastewater treatment facilities. The trained operators receive official certifications from ASE (Aqua Services and Engineering), in co-operation with the Polytechnic of Namibia and the MAWF.

Gardening: Community members obtained training in sustainable gardening. They learned how to plant and grow the plants, how to manage the gardens collectively, and how to make profits from the yield. Furthermore, they were taught how to save water and use irrigation systems effectively. Several of them have already made a profit from passing on their knowledge about gardening to other Namibians.

Construction of rainwater harvesting tanks: During the project, more than 40 people were trained by CuveWaters and One World Consultants in constructing rainwater harvesting facilities. These training sessions took place in Epyeshona and Iipopo. The Kenyan water engineer and consultant Isaac Kariuki (One World Consultants) supported the project and was in charge of the training. Many of the participants have already built rainwater harvesting constructions in other regions, independently of CuveWaters, or have found jobs in the construction business.