By Andrew Sinclair | Development Director
We are almost ready to roll with the WaterWheel Project. We have been waiting for the new version of the WaterWheel to be produced in Mumbai India and this is now happening. The WaterWheels shown in the images in this report are the new version with the bigger cap and built in handles.
Thanks to the generous donations of our supporters our Indian partner has just been able to place an order for the first 100 WaterWheels. These will be sent to several locations around India where they will be used for the pilot projects and also for further evaluation. The Pilot projects have been rescheduled for early in 2015. These will take place in two communities in Rajasthan and Bihar.
MEETING with WELLO in Mumbai
Back in September 2014 we were able to meet up with Cynthia Koenig, the CEO of Wello, and her team in Mumbai to discuss the next steps for the project. It was great to see our first WaterWheel and hear how work on the production of the new improved model was progressing. The new model had to be properly tested before full production could begin.
While in India we were also able to discuss with our partner how the "roll out" of the Pilot Projects will work. We will use a similar model that had worked with their Water Buffalo Programme. They will work though the established Self Help Group programmes and there will be a Community Worker in place to oversee the project. Those who would like to have a WaterWheel would need to pay a deposit up front of around 15% of the value, They would then need to make monthly payments of INR100 (£1) until the total cost of the WaterWheel (INR 2000) has been met. As this is a pilot project then they may try different options of payment and amounts depending on the feedback they receive as the project progresses. We have also confirmed that access to water and the head-carrying of water are issues in the area of Rajasthan where the pilot project will take place.
We know that Community Workers in many of the locations where our partner operates schools and other projects across India are waiting on the results of these projects before there is a wider implementation of the project. We need to raise funds for the next 100 WaterWheels and we have been offered help to make this possible.
MATCHED FUNDING
We are very grateful to two supporters who have pledged a total of £1250 in Matched Funding which we can use to double any donation received before 31st December 2014. This will help us well on the way to purchase our next 100 Water Wheels. So please take advantage of this before the end of the year.
DREAMING OF A WELLO CHRISTMAS!
How about giving a WaterWheel as an alternative Christmas Present this Year? You can do this via the Global Giving Web site where Gift Cards are available to print out or send as eCards. Remember every Donation received before the end of 2014 will be Matched until we reach the Matched funding total.
Thank you again for your support of this project. We appreciate your patience as it has taken longer than we expected to reach this point but we are almost there and getting ready to Roll in 2015.
Thank you again for your support in 2014.
Wishing you a Joyful Christmas and Happy New Year for 2015
Andrew
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