Although the concept of Playpumps was idyllic in theory, its application was sabotaged by the strategy adopted by Playpumps International. Along with the technology, the focus was flawed: despite being a humanitarian project, there was greater emphasis on pleasing donors and meeting ambitious targets for glory, than supplying water to impoverished communities.
It is important to understand that Playpumps are only one solution amongst a myriad of other water supply systems, and careful assessment is required to identify which combination of these solutions is appropriate for each individual community. Therefore, a change in priority and management is necessary to organise this project more effectively, in areas of administration, preparation, design, installation and maintenance.
ADMINISTRATION:
From the start, there should have been more …show more content…
A small number of Playpumps should have been installed in specific communities to test the effectiveness of the program. There should have been at least a monitor period of about 12 months on these prototype Playpumps, for Playpumps International to collect data on the project. When initial signs of failure began to show, rather than urgently increasing production to satisfy promises of donors, Playpumps International should have halted new installations and investigated the failed projects closely to mend their design, program and business model to prevent these occurrences in the future.
If Playpump International had slowed down production, millions of dollars in funding would have been saved and used for repairs on troubled Playpumps or more effective alternative solutions befitting of certain communities.
An accountable ‘operational and maintenance’ team for each region needs to be active and held accountable for their designated collection of Playpumps. This is elaborated more in the installation and maintenance
It is important to understand that Playpumps are only one solution amongst a myriad of other water supply systems, and careful assessment is required to identify which combination of these solutions is appropriate for each individual community. Therefore, a change in priority and management is necessary to organise this project more effectively, in areas of administration, preparation, design, installation and maintenance.
ADMINISTRATION:
From the start, there should have been more …show more content…
A small number of Playpumps should have been installed in specific communities to test the effectiveness of the program. There should have been at least a monitor period of about 12 months on these prototype Playpumps, for Playpumps International to collect data on the project. When initial signs of failure began to show, rather than urgently increasing production to satisfy promises of donors, Playpumps International should have halted new installations and investigated the failed projects closely to mend their design, program and business model to prevent these occurrences in the future.
If Playpump International had slowed down production, millions of dollars in funding would have been saved and used for repairs on troubled Playpumps or more effective alternative solutions befitting of certain communities.
An accountable ‘operational and maintenance’ team for each region needs to be active and held accountable for their designated collection of Playpumps. This is elaborated more in the installation and maintenance