Water Missions International has completed projects in nearly 40 countries. Each country and each community we work with is different from the other. Even within the same country, tribal and ethnic differences give each community has its own unique DNA. Frequently, we work in areas with great political instability making life more difficult for the people and making planning and running a project very difficult. These various factors make project management a challenge and speaks to why good project management is important.
Through 10+ years of experience we have learned much and have developed a flow to project management that helps us get better and better. Most importantly, we have been able to increasingly engage nationals (people within their own countries) who can implement the projects from beginning to end. This assures that our projects not only are technologically appropriate, but are culturally appropriate as well. Both elements are critical for long term sustainability.
Although this outline may over-simplify the process, these steps are anything but simple. Walk through these steps with us.
Step 1: People with a Vision and Passion -It begins with people who have a vision and a passion to serve others. You may be that person. Or perhaps you may be that church, civic organization, or business.
Step 2: People With a Need - With 884 million people lacking access to safe water and another 2.5 million lacking adequate sanitation it is not a difficult task. Water Missions International currently has assessed more than 150 communities where there is a known and quantifiable need. Perhaps you know of others as well.
Step 3: Community Assessment -We start with the collection of some very basic data collection through our Safe Water Project Request form. If qualifies, Water Missions International or a other trained party will assess the community's water sources and conditions, establish a working relationship with the leadership of the community and a local ministry partner, and then provide a "best in class" solution to sustainably meet the needs of the community and fulfill the the mission of Water Missions International.
Step 4: Equipment, Transportation. & Installation -Once the solution has been designed, the necessary equipment is shipped from our production facility or from inventory currently with in the country and transported to the receiving community for installation. Site work begins for the enclosure that we ask the community to provide.
Step 5: Community Development - Much work is required to sustain the equipment or solution. Having a source of safe water is a tremendously positive change, but one that is not always understood. Our community development model involves:
- Initial start of the safe water system(s)
- Sustainability training (daily operation, long term maintenance, and micro-enterprise)
- Health & Hygiene training
- 12 months of monitoring and evaluation
- Development and implementation of a ministry plan to present the "Living Water" message