Professionalization of manual drilling teams

In 2009 a first phase was completed with success: 15 people trained on the use of rota sludge drilling method (3 drilling teams), on the construction of a water point including installation of pump, on the hydrogeological and hygienic aspects of the construction of a water point, 2 drilling set transferred to the local partner (Craid), 13 water points constructed bringing potable water to 1950 people. During this phase ESF (electrician without border) should bring his technical support to CRAID to put in place water management committee and follow the construction activities. These activities have not been done due to the political crises in Madagascar in March 2009.

Current status

The whole partners are ready and mobilised for the second phase of implementation. The relations and the role between each partners is well defined thanks to lessons learned during the first phase of the project.
Practica will bring the technical support : follow up drillers, training on business and management skills, training on water management
Craid the local partner will put in place the water management committees and will manage the construction of 17 new water points

1. Follow up of drillers (2 weeks extra training and follow up)
Most drillers now have the basic information needed to drill water wells. However, a large part of their drilling skills will be further developed during the next months of practical drilling. Most practical orientated workers will learn best through self experience! It is recommended that problems are logged and progress of the teams measured, in order to improve the quality of the work. Learning through experience may result in a lost drill bit or collapsing borehole, but this will be an important part of their learning experience. If mistakes might happen, always focus on the ‘why did it happen’ question (question wise) to the drillers and assist them when ever needed in the first months.
It is recommended to log down frequently encountered problems. An extra training and follow-up will be organized to focus on these still occurring problems.

2. Reinforcement of mains actor involved in the water management process (2 weeks training)
With the lack of follow up and technical support by ESF the competencies of CRAID need to be reinforced on the water management process of water point in order for Craid to help the beneficiaries to create water management committees to manage their own water resource.
On the same way according to the water code the commune is the owner of the infrastructures “maitre d’ouvrage” giving a guarantee of access water for the whole community including the poor. This central role of the commune need to be clarify and reinforced.

3. Reinforcement of business skill (1 week)
Perspectives of development of a market oriented on the construction of water points in the region has a big value with the next implementation of 2 big projects funded by USAID with a large component on access to potable water using low cost technologies: SALOHI (food security) and RANO HP (Watsan).
The business skill of Craid need to be reinforced in order to reply of call of proposal and to bring a quality service in the water sector.

4. Need of new water points in Vangaindrano commune (17 new water points)
After the cancellation of the 2nd phase of the project by ESF for the construction of 17 new water points the commune is looking for new “rapid” funding. After these first positive results the commune has received a large demand of water points by others Fokontany. Craid with the drilling teams are ready for this new challenge.

Main goals
- Follow up drillers : 2 weeks of follow up to reinforce the capacities of 15 drillers
- Reinforcement of CRAID and the commune of Vangaindrano on water management: 2 weeks training and 4 people trained
- Reinforcement of business skill of Craid : 1 week training and 2 people trained
- Construction of 17 water points : around 3400 people have access to water
Other goals:
- Dissemination of low cost water technology and construction of new water points in short term
- Decrease of infant mortality due to the use of non potable water
- Improvement of the well being of the population of Vangaindrano commune

Goals

• Technical capacities of drilling teams reinforced
• Businness and management skills of CRAID reinforced
• Water management capacities of local partners reinforced
• Improvement of the acces to potable water

1. Perspectives of development of a market oriented on the construction of water points in the region has a big value with the next implementation of 2 big projects funded by USAID with a large component on access to potable water using low cost technologies: Muti Year Annual Program (Food For Peace ) and APS on Water and Sanitation
The reinforcement of business and management skills of Craid will permitt to reply on a call of proposal and to bring a quality service in this new emergent water sector.

2. CRAID will work with the beneficiaries to create community water management committees, in cases where these committees do not exist. CRAID will build capacity of water community to manage their own water resource and a regular follow up will be done
According to the water code the commune will be the owner of the infrastructures “maitre d’ouvrage” giving a guarantee of access water for the whole community including the poor. A consultation framework will be created by the stakeholders involved in the project to define the conditions of management of water points

3. The presence of technical capacities at village level bring a certain level of garantee of sustainability.