The Adventure Project

Overview:

With the support of the Prem Rawat Foundation, Wine to Water, People Water, 224 fundraisers and 806 individual donors, The Adventure Project funded the training of 186 well mechanics in India last year.

These gifts are truly transforming water services for communities, schools and health clinics, so people will no longer be forced to return to unsafe water sources or rely on external organizations for assistance in repairing or replacing their water systems. In addition, people will now have good jobs, increasing their livelihoods and dignity for themselves and their families.

Current Progress:

So far, 148 people are currently hired and receiving training in how to become a well mechanic. Through this program, they will/have received a bag of tools, education, and a one-year stipend to help get their enterprises off the ground.

Job Status:

SOUTH 24 PARGANAS

Fifty Jalabandhu were slotted to be trained in three blocks in the district of South 24 Parganas (Kakdwip,Budgebudge I and Budgebudge II), in the state of West Bengal, India. However, after meetings with the local government leaders and completing an analysis of the water points to be served by the Jalabandhu, it was decided to start with 42 well mechanics for now. The three blocks have a total population of about 567,000 with approximately 1,600 water points, which works out to approximately 38 to 40 water points per well mechanic. Of the 42 well mechanics, only five are female. This is a very conservative area, so it is unusual for women to work outside their homes. We are hoping that the five women become positive examples, prompting other women to join in the future. This February we captured one of the women’s
stories, Rani, which you can read here.

Sheohar

To support the Jalabandhu program in the district, with our funding, Water For People has hired and trained a Jalabandhu Program Officer who will be responsible for training and coaching the 106 Jalabandhu in the district. Trainings are currently wrapping up, and it’s anticipated that all 106 Jalabandhu will be repairing water points by the end of March 2013.

Purulia

Sadly, Maoist rebel activities have led to security issues in Kashipur block of the district of Purulia. Plans were to train 30 well mechanics in this area, but staff report feeling unsafe walking in public and riding the buses. Water for People India decided to pause the program in Purulia as a safety measure.

Therefore, the funds to train 30 well mechanics have been reallocated for a refresher course in South 24 Parganas. Thirty-eight well mechanics who were hired in 2010 and 2011 have signed up for the refresher course. These refresher trainings are critical in understanding the challenges the Jalabandhu are facing in the field, and building their technical and troubleshooting skills to address these problems.

The refresher course brings together the Jalabandhu to share and discuss the issues they are facing as a group, work together to identify solutions and provide additional technical guidance on repair and maintenance of pumps. In addition, these refresher courses will expand the skills of the Jalabandhu trained in 2010 and 2011 by including training on water quality testing, using simple test kits and water sampling for government testing laboratories.

While we are sad that Purulia will not receive 30 new well mechanics that are needed, we are proud to support the reallocation of funds, as it is a safe and wise decision. Our goal is to always do what’s best for the local partner.

The program is going so well, we are now working to bring it to Africa! We are so honored by how everyone has supported and rallied behind this effort.
Thank you!

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