May 2008 Archives

If you'd like to see how a manual rope pump works, watch this:

Remember that you can donate to this project by clicking on the 'Support This Project' button on the right.

Good news! My bursary application for my personal expenses from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers and Bristol's Knowlson Trust has been successful. The student development engineering charity Engineers Without Borders (EWB) have asked for further details regarding my bursary application with them, but my chances look promising.

The World Water Day in Trafalgar Square was very interesting. The rope pump proved to be very popular with passing families, despite the apocalyptic weather! The guys from Zimbabwe made it along too, and seemed impressed with the pump Ben and I had built. They invited me to visit their workshop in southern Malawi this summer, which should be a very valuable experience.

I also recently met a graduate of Bristol University at an EWB research conference who will be spending 6 months this year in South Africa on a project, working at introducing the rope pump over there. It looks like we will be able to share a lot of useful information and experiences.

Cai

We've just received a video from Guente Nueva, our partner organisation in Argentina with whom we are also developing a solar powered rope pump. The video is in Spanish, but still worth watching even if you don't speak Spanish. It explains their hand-powered rope pump project, which will be used as the basis for developing a solar powered one:

We were in Malawi last week and saw the desperate need for water pumps. We went to a village in the midde of a rural area. There we saw a young lad who spent half the day dropping a bucket down a well and pulling out water. He looked exhausted.

We spoke to the local villagers about the concept of a solar powered water pump and they were extremely enthusiastic. 'When can you get one for us?' they asked. They said they'd use it for irrigation, for water for their animals, as well as for their own uses. It would revolutionise their lives.