Start Date: 2010-10-01

Completion Date: 2011-10-01

Technology Used:

ACI's main experience in the WASH sector lies in training local people in the construction, use, maintenance and promotion of the ACI bio-sand water filter. The ACI approach is that the program should be as locally managed as possible and driven by local demand. All of the materials for the filters are sourced locally and the suppliers are identified by ACI to help maintain quality control while keeping costs low. There is no ongoing cost to ACI beyond the initial training and supply of materials. The sale of the filters enables total cost recovery and generates the capital for the next order.

As word has spread about the ACI program in the Kisii region, demand for filters has grown reflecting the applicability of the technology. One of the most significant reported benefits of using the ACI water filter has been the money and time saved from buying firewood for boiling. Surveys have shown that filter users like the taste and clarity of the filtered water. People have also reported that they have experienced a reduction in water borne illness in their households.

It is well known that the simple bio-sand filter maintenance procedure can be one of the barriers to long term use. Part of the purchase agreement for the bio-sand filter is that the end user is trained to identify when the maintenance is required. The filter constructer is then obliged to return to carry out the first maintenance cycle and also train the end user on how to do it themselves in the future. ACI's approach is based upon leaving local experts who will also remain available to do any simple repairs if necessary. These local people would attend regular training sessions at the proposed Hope Center.

One of the benefits of the ACI model is that there are many small decentralized social businesses producing filters vs one centralized manufacturing site. This really increases ownership and accountability of the program within the communities while keeping the cost of the filters down. However, this also brings challenges in terms of oversight and quality control. ACI periodically carries out household surveys and water tests on a random sample of households that have purchased filters. Part of the accountability is that if problems are identified, there is follow up and filters have been re-constructed and repaired in the past. ACI proposes to further increase its tracking and monitoring procedures through the purchase of an additional mobile testing lab.

ACI recognizes that in order to optimize the effectiveness of our water program, we need to add other WASH related training and technology. ACI will always strive to do this within the parameters of our current approach, namely: locally trained experts, locally sourced materials and the creation of sustainable social businesses. It is planned that ACI will partner with Prof. Ted Loudon of Michigan State University in October 2010 to pilot a sanitation project which will focus on a urine diversion composting pit latrine. The Hope Center will also be a demonstration site for roof top rain water catchment systems; drip irrigation systems and various other beneficial technology. All of these projects will be carried out in partnership with other experienced implementers and all with the goal of empowering the local communities with the skills and materials to improve their health and well being.

Phases:

With full funding, the project would take place in 3 phases. Phase 1: Renovation of the Hope Center. Phase 2: Train & launch 10 new filter businesses. Phase 3: Oversight and testing.

Community Organization:

The community and schools in the surrounding areas are very supportive of ACI. The majority of the people who have purchased filters have never met the American ACI staff and the program is very locally driven. Each filter producer is a local person who essentially runs their own small social enterprise in their community. They use their own networks to promote the sale of filters and have a strong ownership of their business as their profit depends on them doing a good and professional job.

The local community leaders and farmers co-op leased the training center building and grounds to ACI free for 10 years showing a strong level of support for the project.

The ACI program in this area is also closely connected to schools through its partnership with SCOPE (School Communities Offering Projects that Empower). Up until the acquisition of the Hope Center, schools have hosted ACI training sessions and have been instrumental in disseminating information about the program to their communities.

Government Interaction:

The government through the local administration in the area have granted the lease of the training facility to ACI for 10 years free of charge. ACI has had strong support from local chiefs, town councilors and village elders. The Minister for Education has also highly commended the program.

The local water and sanitation board is undertaking a number of projects in the area such as constructing public latrines and supplying rain water storage tanks to schools.

Ancillary activities:

ACI has also provided a loan to a local youth group who have constructed a large greenhouse near the Hope Center. The greenhouse will serve as a demonstration site for drip irrigation and uses Kick Start’s ‘Money Maker’ pump. ACI also actively promotes high yield gardening practices and will have a demonstration high yield garden at the Hope Center. ACI believes that these activities strengthen the capacity of the community.

Other Issues:

ACI intentionally works with and listens to the women in the communities in which we work as they bear the main burden of caring for the household water needs. Women are quite often the filter constructers and it is wonderful to see them embrace their new role in empowering other women. Women also immediately see the benefits in terms of time and money saved by using the ACI water filter and are generally the most committed to the success of the program.