Learning resources

Here at Excellent Development, we have tried to provide learning resources that can bring global issues into any classroom by raising awareness of environmental conservation and rural development in drylands.

Our resources focus in particular on sand dams, how they work, their impact and the crucial role of community self-help, environmental conservation and sustainable agriculture for overcoming the challenges faced by people in rural drylands.

These films, in particular, contain real-life case studies illustrating sand dam projects and grassroots development in dryland Kenya, as well as questions surrounding water availability, food security and sustainable land management; topics that all feature in the films.

We hope you find these resources as useful as Ian Langrish, Head of Geography at Tiffin School, Kingston-upon-Thames, UK, who said:

"Excellent Development provides a valuable example of how sustainability in semi-arid Africa can be addressed in a manner that really benefits people and the environment. I'm delighted to utilise film footage and focused curicula case studies of their excellent work."

Sand dam leaflet

Our foldable A5 leaflet explains how a sand dam works and its potential impact in drylands.Read more

The Magnificent Seven - drought-tolerant seeds transforming lives in drylands

Along with building sand dams, Excellent also supports dryland communities to adopt climate-smart agriculture, which includes educating farmers on how to use seed banks stocked with seven drought-tolerant seeds; reducing the risk of crop failure, providing food throughout the growing season and ensuring a good nutritional balance. Find out more about these magnificent seven seeds in this brochure.Read more

Excellent Development sustainable farming: educational film - Part 1

Excellent Development works with community self-help groups in Kenya, supporting them to improve their water supply, food production, health and incomes. This educational video explains how soil and water conservation through Excellent Development's work with community self-help groups, and comes with a Q&A at the end for any students wanting to test themselves!Read more

Excellent Development sustainable farming: educational film - Part 2

Part 2 of our sustainable farming educational film demonstrates the importance of sustainable agriculture for food security and poverty alleviation. Like with Part 1, the film ends with a short quiz for those wanting to test their new knowledge of sand dams and their impact.Read more

Excellent Development sustainable development: educational film - Part 1

This 3 part film explains sustainable development, using Excellent Development's work as an example of how community-led approaches can create conservation and a virtuous cycle of development. There are questions at the end for anyone that wants to test their knowledge.Read more

Excellent Development sustainable development: educational film - Part 2

Part 2 of our sustainable development educational film with questions at the end.Read more

Excellent Development sustainable development: educational film - Part 3

Part 3 of our sustainable development educational film with questions at the end.Read more

Latest

"Life in school has become more enjoyable"

When water supplies are low, drastic measures are often turned to in efforts to collect it. The construction of a water tank in Utini Girls Secondary School in southeast Kenya has helped to lift this burden, according to testimony from members of the school community.

Enabling greater success

Having access to water on-site provides schools with the opportunity to grow and to try new things. In this story we see what new endeavours a water tank has enabled at Ngomeni Primary School, Kenya.

Tune in to our BBC Radio 4 Appeal on February 24th and 28th!

Tune in to BBC Radio 4 on February 24th and 28th to hear our sand dam expedition volunteer, Sarah Parker, speak about the impact of sand dams and how they're helping farmers like Josephine to transform their lives.

Washing away water scarcity

Clean water is essential to improve sanitation levels in water-deprived areas. Looking at the case of Muunguu Secondary School, we see the positive effects a water tank has had on health and well-being in their community.

What is a sand dam?

1 million sand dams for 0.5 billion people by 2040

Read about our plan to directly support other organisations to build sand dams, in turn, realising our vision to support millions of the world’s poorest people by helping them to transform their own lives through water and soil conservation in drylands.