AIDFI has been very succesfull in the manufacturing and installation of hydraulic ram pumps in the Philippines and even other places in the world. The model and approach for implementation are unique. Sustainability of the project/installation is the most important and given a lot of stress. This project involves installation of 6 ram pump systems in upland villages which never experienced water near their houses. A lot of developments are expected to come in after the installation.

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People use donkeys to fetch their water

The goal is to supply upland households, considered the poorest of the poor, with clean and safe drinking water. This water will give health benefits and create further developments like vegetable growing, animal raising, aquaculture, washing of clothes near the houses.

The hydraulic ram pump projects which AID Foundation implement are owned, operated and maintained by the communities. Before the technical intervention takes place, the community is socially prepared for the project. First some contacts are made, then at a later stage a general assembly is called for to organize an water association. Participation of the people is a vital part of the installation. Often hauling and pipe laying/burying is done by local labor. Also the association selects two or three local technicians before the start of the installation. They are involved in all aspects and no secrets are kept. The experience is that the local technicians after the installation are capable to operate, tune and repair the installation. At the end of the installation the technicians revceive a t-shirt with at the back the name ram pump technician. The association receives a complete toolkit needed for repair and maintance. At the same time the association is prepared for the management of the project, policies are established. A collection system and fees are also established. The fees are partially to pay for the local technicians, for eventual repair and maintenance and sometimes for the association to expand the services. AIDFI also organizes a meeting regarding the importance of protecting the water source itself, what is a pump without water. As a result of such meetings tree planting are organized. Initially 500 trees are planted but when the community is excited, more trees are facilitated.
Already twice AID Foundation organized a conference for the local technicians of all installed systems to exchange experiences. Not in a expensive place, but just the workshop of AIDFI serves as the venue for inspiration. In this way we exchanged indigenous solutions for maintence challenges. For example plywood as a cheap alternative for gaskets.

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