Through Pump Aid’s partnership with online development aid project organisation Akvo, Pump Aid recently received funding for its ‘Water pumps in Malawi’ project from Archeon, a Dutch history theme park.  Akvo works to faciliate the relationship between a project funder and the project organisation. Through various platforms Akvo allows the project organisation to feedback information from the field straight to the funder. Videos and photos can be uploaded to bring the project to life! A big thank you to Archeon and Earth Water for their support.

This video was made possible through the support of Archeon and Earth Water who wanted to produce a short video on the work that Pump Aid carries out and to show the people and communities that benefit from access to clean and safe water.

To view the video* that was produced please click here.

If you would like to view more of Pump Aid’s videos, please click here to viewPump Aid’s YouTube channel.

*This video was produced by Africa Interactive, an African multi media agency.

Diarrhoeal diseases are the second largest killer of children under the age of five, and having access to adequate sanitation is one of the primary methods of reducing the spread of faecal bacteria.[1] In Liberia 86% of the population do not have access to adequate sanitation.[2] These statistics are the reality for Dubormah King, 55 from Wakor Village, Liberia. “We used to use the bushes; the children relieved themselves behind the house. I don’t really know if we got sick because of the bush or the flies, but we got sick often.”

Pump Aid has been developing its water and sanitation programmes in Liberia since 2009. In June 2010 Pump Aid visited Dubormah and her family of 3 adults, 3 boys and 2 girls. Dubormah told us that before the installation of the Elephant Toilet, she and her family used to travel great distances to use the bush to relieve themselves.

Since the installation of the Elephant Toilet, Dubormah believes that her family are now safe as they no longer have to walk as far to use the toilet. She no longer has to worry about running into the bush or where her children are playing after school. Dubormah also explained that thanks to the Elephant Toilet “I have more time to get my work done and my children aren’t as sick as before and go to school more often now.”

If you would like to contribute towards helping people like Dubormah and her family, please donate by clicking here.

This account was sent to Pump Aid by Miattah Walker, Pump Aid’s Programmes Manager, Liberia.

[1] UN Water; Sanitation is vital for human health; 2008.

[2] Liberia CSOs WASH; Working group 2010 Final Report, p3

“We were starving because we had no way to grow vegetables or any way to pay for school fees” remembers Ilene Jongure, 41*. Her daughter and two sons, aged 24 and 19, had all been to primary school, but her children’s education stopped there. Ilene’s 14-year-old daughter was not in school as Ilene could not afford the secondary school fees.

However, in 2008, Pump Aid joined forces with international charity CARE on a pioneering project aimed at transforming the lives of local women and their families by creating a communal garden. Pump Aid installed two Elephant Pumps within the garden, enabling the gardeners to easily water their crops. The garden was split among 37 families and they are now growing tomatoes, maize, butternut squash and spinach.

The garden has now been running for over two years and Ilene estimates that so far each family has made around $75 a year. Thanks to the garden, Ilene’s youngest daughter is now at secondary school.  Ilene said “I am so proud of her, she is a very clever girl and she wants to be a nurse. I am so pleased that now I can buy her uniform and books and give her that chance.”

If you would like to contribute towards helping people like Ilene and her family, please donate by clicking here.

*Ilene Jongure and her family live in Muzenda Village, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe. This account was collected on behalf of Pump Aid by Sophie Edwards in November 2010.

Pump Aid is proud of its dedicated supporters. Our supporters are always coming up with new ideas to raise money to contribute towards Pump Aid’s work. On the 10th April; Tomi Belosic, Marko Banjanin and Roger Brooks ran the Rotterdam Marathon to raise money for Pump Aid. Tomi, Marko and Roger even made their own Pump Aid t-shirts to help raise the awareness of the important of clean water and sanitation to people in rural Africa. They set their fundraising target high at £3750!  If you would like to support their amazing efforts (and t-shirt making skills) please visit their fundraising page here. Well done guys!

Rt Hon Jack McConnell MSP is announced as Pump Aid’s newest Ambassador…

Pump Aid and Jack McConnell (First Minister of Scotland 2001 – 2007) were introduced to each other over a year ago and have since formed a strong relationship that has brought McConnell over to Malawi to visit the Pump Aid projects and experience firsthand, the significant achievements of Pump Aid.

McConnell visited many of Pump Aid’s rural projects, meeting the people who have benefitted from Pump Aid’s presence and seeing the community spirit that has developed through their work.  Improved health, greater hygiene awareness, increased school participation and access to clean sustainable water are just some of the reasons why McConnell saw something special in Pump Aid.

McConnell has always had a strong awareness of Africa, he was appointed the Prime Minister’s Special Representative for Peace building in October 2008, and within this role he facilitated the ambition to improve the international mechanisms for Peace building. He was also appointed as an advisor to the Clinton Hunter Development Initiative in Malawi and Rwanda.

Since becoming Ambassador for the International charity, Pump Aid was selected as UK NGO partner to Live Earth 2010. Live Earth is the brainchild of former US Vice President Al Gore and Entrepreneur Kevin Wall; Live Earth has tirelessly worked to raise awareness of the significant impact of climate change.

This year on April 18^th 2010, Live Earth returns, turning its attention and significant influence onto the global water challenge. Almost 100 countries right across the globe will participate in supporting Live Earth, half of which will be hosting the 6k Run for Water event on the 18^th April, including London.

Those unable to make it to our London event are encouraged to set up their own Friends of Live Earth event to help support this cause. The water crisis is a global one and we want to give people the tools to support Pump Aid in any way they can. The Friends of Live Earth events allow communities anywhere to set up their own 6km runs, whether that is around your street, or at a local school in support of Pump Aid.

Pump Aid is extremely excited to be involved in such an ambitious event and to have the support of its new Ambassador RT Hon Jack McConnell to raise awareness of water poverty. All proceeds raised go directly to Pump Aid projects in Zimbabwe, Malawi and Liberia. Close to a billion people live without access to clean, safe drinking water and by 2025, two thirds of us will be living in water stressed areas.

“Pump Aid is such a special charity, I was so overwhelmed when I visited some of their projects in Malawi ,and amazed that one charity can deliverer on so many levels. Access to clean water and sanitation for all of the communities that Pump Aid works in, is life changing. It improves their health and hygiene, prevents the spread of disease and gives communities the independence they need to bring themselves out of the poverty cycle.

As Pump Aid Ambassador, I am honoured to be representing such a dynamic, fresh, and engaging organisation and look forward to the year ahead. With the Live Earth event just around the corner I would urge people to visit the website and sign up to run for water or set up your very own friends of Live Earth event, the water crisis is a global issue and these events can help to raise awareness and hopefully raise funds to bring clean water to people in need.”

Find out more about our new Ambassador http://www.jackmcconnell.org/

For more information on the Live Earth event please call 0207 922 7992 or email communications@pumpaid.org