Blue Pump Mali

In 2014 a challenging new project started: Pompe Bleue Mali. The aim is to install a 1000 blue pumps as a replacement of broken pumps that are present everywhere in Mali.

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Water is our concern for over 20 years . For the first time there is an indestructible pump, which has more water certainty and lower maintenance costs. That is the Dutch blue pump, official Blue Pump®, of FairWater.

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The concept that we developed offers chances for the local economy:
–   The pump is not given away but sold with 5 years warranty.
–   The village pays the pump in 5 years and then it becomes the owner. The village points out a water committee which is responsible for the management.
–   Selling, installing and maintaining the blue pump provides employment and also opportunity for young people.
–    In the new Technical College in Sangha is provided an applied training program for water technique and hygiene.
–    The finances  are managed transparently.
–    After 5 years there will be an independent company that sells, installs and maintains the pumps.

This year we have made a business plan and have been searching for funds that want to help us with starting the project. Aqua for All is a fund which permits us to reinforced the project supporting us with over 100,000 euro. In the meantime, at the end of 2014 three blue pumps have been installed as a pilot project. Such an installation arouses great interest from the villagers, the Service Hydraulic and others who want to see a really good pump. The first young people have been trained to install the blue pumps.
In July the first 20 pumps have been shipped to Mali in a large container with roof sheets, a generator, Waka Waka lights, computers. The container has arrived intact in September to Amatique Dara in Sevare. In November a second container with 20 pumps follows.

151006_Arrival container July (11)

Such a large project can be carry out because ADI, our executive organization in Mali, is well organized and the office is manned with a professional team. For the blue pump Aisia Teme is hired as a Chef du project. She will manage the depot with material that will be built in Sangha. She finished her technical study in “Hydrology” in Bamako and she has talent to work very careful and punctual and makes excellent repots. She lives in Sangha and she has children. A part-time job near her house is ideal and motivating.

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The first contacts with villages has been made. We have the advantage that the Dogon women initiative has functioning women groups in a lot of villages already. Through these women we know where the bad functioning pumps are located and what is needed for a new improved pump. In November three new pumps will be installed.
Initially we have assumed that the pumps can be paid off with the profit from selling the water. For example 1.5 eurocent for 20 liters water. From the first conversations becomes obvious that the money that is reserved by the villages for the maintenance of the existing bad pumps, is enough to pay off the blue pump. In this way, the village does not lose, but instead it can improve his conditions. That is, beside the 5 years warranty, the reason why there is such a large interest. Now that the first 20 pumps have arrived in the Dogon, we can see it in practice too.

diagram pump EN

Not giving away, but fair trade with the villages seems a new and promising way of development. And money is there: not much but enough to regulate necessary supplies of this kind for the villages. The villages find it normal to pay for Waka Waka lights and or a pumps although it is tempting to say that you have no money so that NGO’s give away stuff. By selling there is more certainty that there is a real need for the pump and the responsibility for the management is larger and better organized. The strong point of SDO and ADI is the good team in Mali that can carry out over a long period, motivated and reliable the project. That means that even in the difficult period in which Mali is now, the project Pompe Bleue Mali can continue. The installation teams can start with their work.