Community stories
Most implementing agencies and country policies put the full burden of operation and maintenance of water systems on the community. Sometimes this works out well, but very often communities struggle with the technology and management. That is why communities need some (post-construction) support to sustain their water services. Support is a crucial element of the Service Delivery Approach and the Life-Cycle Cost Approach, the two guiding IRC concepts for achieving sustainable WASH services at scale. The stories in this section show the struggle communities have in trying to keep their water services going. Not just their creativity and commitment, but also their confusion and despair. We publish these stories to support them.
Women are the driving force
27 Feb 12
Don Felipe from Belén in Guatemala says: “In 1975, UNEPAR started the construction of our water system. Steps were only taken because of pressure from the women. They protested about the lack of water.” Women in Belén started to participate in the water committee. They were the driving force behind the committee.
A long and winding road
27 Feb 12
After the team of the implementing agency had supported the people in Nkouondja in solving their management problems a celebration meeting was held to conclude the work. Feeling satisfied with the job and the result, the village chief of Nkouondja in Cameroon says in his speech: “Since you have been coming here, you talked to us about the importance of involving women but we never could imagine the difference we now see".
Whose money is it?
27 Feb 12
As she dipped her hand into her purse she wondered “whose money is this. Is it mine or is it project money?” Meet Maria Musembi the treasurer of the Kiveetyo Kathyoli water project in Kenya. Seen as honest and hard working by the community, the members of the water project entrusted her to keep and look after the projects money.
