Sustainability — Village Success

Based on lessons learned, A Vision for Clean Water gradually developed a model for working with villages and peoples using methods that will continue and become self-sustaining.

1. Decide to take on this challenge

• Investigate potential funding and potential water champions

2. Locate a Water Champion Partner
Establish a partnership with a Champion in a developing country who understands and agrees to the commitment.  Local teachers are often good champions/partners.  Good planning skills, common language, and access to email are essential criteria.

3. Develop a Solid Plan with a Champion Partner

• Partner with Champion to establish an infrastructure in country, that is water testing laboratory and a source to obtain filters.
• Plan strategy to ensure that the water solution chosen is appropriate for the environment and needs. 
• Select a good village
• Identify an influential person in village (person to champion
  the effort)
• Begin education in school – (hygiene, water filter workings
  and maintenance)
• Identify methods to educate school children and women of village (hygiene, filter operation and maintenance)
• Plan ways to build awareness and acceptance among villagers
• Set criteria for who will receive filters

4. Establish a Women's Association

• Identify the roles of women for a water filter project
• Establish a Women’s Association
• Conduct training – Importance for health, hygiene, water filtration and maintenance
• Get buy-in for water filters
• Establish the criteria for distribution of filters
  

5. Establish Micro-Banking to allow women to buy water filter with matching grant money

6. Distribute the Water Filters

7. Sustain the Effort

• Maintain an ongoing relationship with the champion and village
• Make sure that suppliers are available for replenishment
• Monitor:  Test water periodically and evaluate health improvements and issues