Partner Organisation: Partners in Development (PiD)

Title of Placement: Sustaining Rope and Washer Pumps

Location: Maputaland, South Africa

Start date: 1st July 2009

Duration: 6 months

No. of volunteers: 1  

A 6 month placement improving the sustainability and reliability of family-centred water supply in the remote parts of Maputaland, South Africa. This involves the continuation of work by a previous EWB-UK volunteer to monitor, evaluate, and where necessary improve on the design of rope and washer pumps used in conjunction with shallow wells. 

What work will I be doing?

Work will focus on supporting the "Christian Broadcasting Network project" which involves the installation of rope pumps at local homes in Maputaland. The work will include:  

• Assistance with the management and supervision of the drilling teams who carry out the work
• Assistance with material sourcing
• Development of new proposals and expansion of the project
• Possible work on a rope pump upgrade project (if further funding is granted)
• Possible work on PID's Pit Latrine emptying project which has already received funding  
• Work will not be limited to the CBN project and the volunteer's time may spread into other areas of PiD's work.  

Who will I be working for?

‘Partners in Development’ is a small private Engineering Consultancy based in South Africa, specialising in rural development. The organisations mission is to enable developing communities to construct, operate and maintain civil and agricultural infrastructure in order to achieve a sustainable improvement in their quality of life.

The primary beneficiaries are subsistence farmers living in the remote north eastern part of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, known as Maputaland. The company was founded in 1993 and has three offices in KwaZulu-Natal. There will be three permanent staff in the office in which the volunteer is based, and a supervising engineer will visit from the main office once per week.

The company has run placements with eleven other students at various levels of commitment and challenge since 1995, so is no stranger to working with young volunteers. 

What skills or experience do I need?

Required :

• Practically minded person
• University graduate
• Good organisation and time management skills
• Driving licence  

Desired :

• Fluency in English
• Experience of Water Engineering Practice
• Experience of off-road driving in sand