29 March 2007

Play Pumps

It is not very often that you see a really creative, original and worthwhile idea. It is even less often that child labour in the third world seems like a good thing. Thanks to an organisation called PlayPumps International both of these things have happened at once. The idea of the PlayPump is very simple. A hand operated pump draws water from underground to an 2,500 litre tank 7 metres above ground level from where it is fed to a simple standing tap. If too much water is pumped into the tank the excess flows back down the bore hole.




The idea is simple enough but the clever part is that the pump takes the form of a merry-go-round that children enjoy playing with. The pumps are sited in schools, this means that children who spent much of their time collecting water are now able to get an education. The fact the play pump is so much fun has actually helped encourage children to attend school. Women who also play a major role in collecting water now have more time for family life.

If that wasn't clever enough the water tank is covered with posters that include public health information and commercial advertising, the revenue from which pays for the maintenance of the pump for at least 10 years.



The importance of clean water water in the developing world cannot be overstated. Half the people in the developing world are suffering from water related illness. Also water related illness accounts for 80% sickness in the world.

PlayPumps are doing work that provides real help for a third world communities on many levels. They are also attempting to install 100 pumps in 100 days if you want to help them go here.

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