Drinking water for 24 villages of Thimmampalli GP

I)             Resources raised through your support

We have raised $255 in the past quarter through your support & continued faith in our social endeavours, making it a cumulative contribution of $2475 since we joined the Global Giving platform in December 2013. 

II)           Tapping Local Resources for Potable Water distribution

Until we raise sufficient money for a vehicle, it became imperative to distribute water during the scorching summer months. The social entrepreneur model is an attempt to use local resources (capital and entrepreneurial spirit) to serve a pressing need of our communities.

In our last report, we mentioned our search for a Social Entrepreneur to act as a distributor for fluoride free potable water for all the 24 villages of the Gram Panchayat.  We were able to convince Mr. Muniramareddy, a farmer from Timmampalli village, to use his tractor for water distribution during the month of April- May (non-harvesting season) as he could neither use the tractor for his fields nor rent it to others. Convinced by the social business model, he invested Rs. 1.20 lakh ($2000) for buying a tanker for the water distribution.  He is now incurs recurring expenses of Rs. 9,000 ($150) every month for diesel and the driver’s remuneration. Between April 14^th and May 23^rd, he has supplied 31,400 L of water. He is presently struggling to recover his recurring expenses, but hopes to start earning profit in next few months with increased demand for potable water.  The challenge with thi arrangement is that is only available seasonally  i.e. in the non-harvesting season.

Before embarking on this model (of a single supplier of potable water through tanker), we tried to distribute potable water through multiple small entrepreneurs. These small entrepreneurs distributed water cans in three wheeler vehicles, within their respective villages.  This model was not successful as the owners of these three wheelers (transporters, who are not the entreprenuers), wanted a higher fee for use of the vehicles, which would lead to a price escalation of the potable water. 

III)        Impact & Reach of Water distribution: In this quarter, potable water has been accessed by 19 villages and more than 250 households. While the no. of villages & households accessing water remains same as the last quarter, there has been increased consumption of potable water by the community. This could be achieved through establishing a reliable supply chain and stable prices of Rs. 12/20L. To continue the inrease in consumption and reach other villages, a permanent arrangement for water distribution is required. The progress in potable water distribution from March-May is represented in the chart below. 

IV)        Community Facilitator- Creating value for Potable Water!

The Community facilitator has been travelling along with Mr. Muniramareddy’s tanker covering the entire Gram Panchayat. He plays a central role in motivating community members to use the fluoride free water not only for drinking but also for cooking. He has been spreading awareness among the community members on effects of fluoride on health in general and the fact that fluoride content increases in the summer due to the decreasing water table. 

The facilitator has been creating value for the potable water by rationalizing the cost of potable water when compared to resources spent by community members on health care due to consumption of contaminated water. 

V)           Gram Panchayat (local governing body) and Water Committee

The Gram Panchayat continues to be supportive and discusses the efforts made, during the Taluka level meetings.

We are also in the process of strengthening the water committee but due to the national elections, there was a pause in the process. In the next quarter, the committee would be strengthened and asked to share some responsibilities. This water committee has been formed by Swasti with the aim of building knowledge  and capacities of the local community in runnning and maintenance of the water plant. Gradually, the committee would be capacitated enough to operate and run the water plant without assistance from Swasti.

VI)        Planned Activities for Next Quarter

a)   School Awareness Campaigns: We have planned to conduct awareness campaign on fluoride free drinking water amongst school children as research shows that children are more receptive to learning, more likely to adopt healthy behaviours at a younger age and play a vital role in promoting hygiene behaviours in their families and communities.[1] This would create a sustainable task force equipped with skills and knowledge to become powerful advocates of change. This campaign would include using participatory training modules and engaging activities like conducting wall painting competitions amongst school children on ‘fluoride free & life-saving water’. 

b)   Village Awareness Campaigns: We would also conduct village level awareness campaigns on effects of fluoride affected water on community health. 

c)    More Kindergartens: Water supply would be extended again to all the 18 Kindergartens and 19 schools in the Gram Panchayat from 1^st June as the schools are re-opening on that day after summer vacations. This would serve 2000 children and water is provided at Rs. 4/20 litre, which is reimbursed by the Gram Panchayat.

d)   Branding of the Tanker used for water distribution: Process of branding the tanker would be undertaken. This would hightlight the partnership between Swasti & Gram Panchayat as well as display relevant to using flouride free water.

[1]http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3075961/