I love it when you see an innovative solution that addresses several issues at the same time…here’s one great example - the PlayPump® Water System, which pumps water for rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa using the boundless, playful energy of kids!
For many of us, clean water is as simple to access as turning on a tap, or purchasing bottled water at the nearest store. However, over one billion people on the planet don’t have this luxury. In fact, getting water, safe to drink or not, may consume a significant portion of their day, virtually eliminating the time that could otherwise be available to improve their lives and break the cycle of poverty and disease.
Did you know that dirty water is attributed to about 80% of all infectious diseases?
The video below shows how this marvelous innovation called the PlayPump® works (4:55):
The PlayPump® is such a simple solution for accessing clean water. And the thing I love about it most is how the engine to pump the water if the playful energy of children. Imagine the impact that the PlayPump® would have on a rural community, for example:
- Adults who would no longer have to make a daily pilgrimage to the local river, often at quite a distance, carrying back several gallons of water on their heads or by other means, and often in excruciating heat;
- The possibility, perhaps for the first time, of being able to learn a trade or start a small business to improve the living situation of the family, and ultimately the community;
- Children, especially girls, freed from having to accompany their mother (usually) to obtain water, who could now hopefully spend the time on education or helping out in some other way;
- Both adults and children having a much reduced exposure to the daily health hazard of drinking unsafe water, allowing them to remain healthier and better able to cope with the other challenges they face.
The one thing that I find somewhat off-putting is the need to place advertising on the pump to help pay for upkeep. Even in rural Africa, we aren’t free from marketing anymore…the price of progress I guess 
!
What can we learn as leaders in community from PlayPump®?
We need to look and better understand the issue at hand, but also related issues, apply our creativity, and find solutions to problems that are innovative, and really maximize value. By better connecting each of the members of a community tasked with problem-solving, we are best served by the diversity of perspectives which will lead to solutions that address not only the primary issue, but also perhaps other related issues (or at least not creating new problems as a result).
When trying to find holistic solutions, a good question to ask: “Who else needs to be part of this discussion?”
Do you know of other cool solutions that have been found to community problems like this one? Tell us below, as well as any thoughts you have about this post.
For more information about PlayPump®, click here.
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