The WFA method is, we believe, the most appropriate approach to addressing chronic water shortage in rural communities of developing countries.  It is a remarkably effective, low-cost, locally reproducible way to make homestead water wells and pumps.  It mobilizes local communities’ own labor forces.  Countries’ differing cultures, available materials and soil types spur minor adaptations.  

 

The physical goal is to continue making hundreds of good, locally-maintainable 

The physical goal is to continue making hundreds of good, locally-maintainable family wells and pumps.

The spiritual goal is to develop relationships with rural families as ambassadors of Christ through the long-term community-wide presence that this method involves.  Jesus desires a relationship with all people, and we are extensions of that desire.

 

 

WFA Method highlights

The work is manual, so it is far more affordable and reproducible in the domestic rural context than large machines.

The pumps are designed for simple, affordable maintenance so that well owners can easily replace worn parts and keep their wells working indefinitely.  

All materials are portable by hand, horse cart or donkey.  We go where machine rigs can’t go — off road, to people’s homes.  This means that women and children don’t have to spend their time and bodies carrying water from far-away community wells, ditches or rivers.

Those who receive wells must ‘buy in’ through personal labor and contribution of raw material in the well-making process.  This preempts dependence, upholds dignity, and encourages pump maintenance.

In Ethiopia, we usually drill medium-depth wells, ranging from 30-80 ft, and the method is used to go deeper in other countries.  Our drill bits are able to penetrate many types of sedimentary and igneous rock, even weathered granite.   

Our pumps include a 3″ or 4.33″ PVC casing, and a 1.5″ or 2″ HDPE rising main with a 1″ or 1.5″ check valve.

 

 

 

Well Clubs

Below is a gathering of 30 heads of household and a few local government officials.  This is a well club orientation meeting.

A well club is a group of ten heads of household.  Their names will be written down on a list.  When a club begins, they will work together on a full time (or more) basis until the club is finished.  A club is finished when ten water wells are completed, one at each member’s house.

 

 

These agreed rules ensure the functioning of a well club:

1. Every member will purchase for themselves certain materials for their own household water well as a personal investment.

2.  Every member will provide one laborer daily (either themselves, a family member, a neighbor or a hired laborer) usually six days a week until the club is finished.

a.  A member (or his laborer) who is late to the work site without club consent will pay a predetermined fine to each of the other club members.

b.  A member (or his laborer) who is absent on a work day without club consent will pay a double fine to each of the other club members.

With these rules, the clubs are motivated and are able to self-govern so that we can simply lead the technical side of things.

 

 

Well clubs are a fun and challenging, cooperative venture in which friendships are made, skills are learned, characters are tested, and dignity is gained because it involves hard work and personal investment, and results in a truly life-changing accomplishment.  The sense of common achievement at the end of a club is palpable.

 

 

 

 

Training

We train nationals to lead because (among many reasons):

1.  More clubs can be run at a time; more people can be blessed

2.  Christian national leaders can more genuinely connect on a personal basis with the people being served

3.  We want our technology to eventually become a common local craft

4.  Skilled national servant leaders can inspire hope among rural communities where life often feels bleak.

 

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