Water for Irodo
How something so small, can make such a big difference.
In 2016, the founder and group director of Orange Pearl Floris Koumans and his family went on a trip to faraway Madagascar. For five weeks they travelled all over the country. One of the stops that they had was at the bungalows of the Frenchman Alain Gonon in Antsiranana.
Alain Gonon
Alain is a Frenchman who travels with his motorcycle every year. He had a special hobby that became his mission. Every year, through a small French organization, he would go to a poor country, select a village, and together with a group of people he would build a school for the children. He had already done this in several African countries, including Irodo. Alain loved Madagascar and Irodo so much that he decided to stay. He sold his small construction company in France and left everything behind to start a new beginning. He lives not far from Irodo and he visits the village every week. He buys everything the school and children need. His family and he also pay for the teacher’s salary.
Bad luck
Because of climate change it became very dry. This, in combination with deforestation, caused the wells to become empty. The village’s small water system, with a few taps connected to the wells, was left useless. This was a big problem. The village needs water for their small plots of land, for drinking, but also for their most important possession; the special cows named zebu. Every year zebu died of dehydration. The only way to get water was to walk to a small river that runs through a valley, 4 kilometers away.
Brilliant idea
Alain struggled to solve this problem. His best friend Izmael came up with a brilliant idea. A long pipeline from the river to the village well. The small river runs through high ground, higher than the village itself. When the women walk to collect the water, most of the path is slightly uphill. So, it should be possible to make a long pipeline from the little river to the village well, and let the water flow with gravity so that the well fills up whenever needed. This simple plan costs relatively little money or maintenance; it does not require any machinery or pumps. In Irodo there is no electricity and certainly no money for fuel and it is also difficult to find machines in this area.
Alain and Izmael started work on the plan. They looked for the right way, studied how to make a small dam for the entrance of the pipeline, they measured how long and thick the pipeline had to be and then they planned every item they would need to make it.
Approval
Besides all the material, one thing was most important, they needed approval and support. In the local culture, the holy men are very important. So the first thing they had to do was to present the plan to the holy men, who guard the people’s culture, and safeguard respect for their traditions.
They approved it. Then they also got permission from the village chief and the elders of the village. These wise men decide on everything that happens in the village. So they arranged a special ceremony to get the approval of the spirits and the village ancestors. Then Alain and Izmael could talk about their plan to the whole village. Everyone was very happy and they were willing to work for free for this project. The villagers of Irodo had hope again.
Hope that there would be water in the well. Hope that they could once again water their plots and that their zebus could drink. Hope that the endless walk up and down to the river would end and that they would not have to leave their village. Alain made all the calculations and checked for the best prices. To make the project a reality the estimated 5000 Euros for all the materials and their transportation. Alain would deliver the materials to the village itself, because it is hard to reach and no-one goes there. Alain would offer rice to everyone, because they would need something to eat.
Grow and Flourish
Floris and his family visited the village and got inspired by the project. The project was a good fit with the Grow and Flourish foundation, where their mission is to make the world a better place. They sponsor special projects in Holland and around the world; just to do some good and generate positive energy. To be responsible and make Profit with a Purpose. A few weeks later the project was presented to the management team and Floris called Alain. Orange Pearl and the Grow and Flourish foundation would take care of all the money for the project, so he could start as soon as possible. Everyone in the village started clapping, laughing and dancing. They were incredibly happy that there was hope again for the village.
How does the pipeline works?
Alain got to work and ordered all the materials and the project began. The first job was to make a trail for the delivery of materials, and clear a path where the pipeline should be placed; they found the best route and, as predicted, it was four kilometers long. The villagers cleared the track and prepared the route for the pipeline. When the materials arrived, they had to be distributed along the route and everyone helped to carry them.
In the little river they made a small dam, the dam was connected to a large natural filter. This was a simple concrete construction filled with gravel and sand. The water flows through the gravel and sand and is cleaned. The clean water goes through a large valve that can be opened and closed when needed. Past the valve, the water flows through the tubing all the way down to the village.
There are several ‘stops’ for the water along the tubes. This is important so that the pressure does not build up too much. This can happen during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall is expected. Also, in the case of a disaster such as the tube breaking, the water can be controlled. The stops also make it possible to create a drinking place for the zebus and for the people working in the fields. Because the pipeline is black and the climate tropical the water in the tube gets quite hot; it can easily reach above 60 degrees and stay at this temperature for hours before the valves are opened and it flows to the well and the taps. This is important, because in this way almost all microorganisms in the water from the little river are killed. So the water is cleaned of any pathogens that can cause health problems such as diarrhea. When the tube reaches the village, the water flows into a large concrete filtering reservoir that overflows into the well and to the water points. In the reservoir the water loses its pressure so that it cannot damage anything or erode the well. This way, the well is filled constantly with fresh water and there are several water points around the village so that everyone has access to water not too far from each family’s hut.
Alain and Izmael started work on the plan. They looked for the right way, studied how to make a small dam for the entrance of the pipeline, they measured how long and thick the pipeline had to be and then they planned every item they would need to make it.
Fresh water shower
The Water for Irodo project was completed in a period of exactly three months. The original budget calculations proved sufficient and some money was even left over. This was allocated to the local school to pay for the teachers and the learning materials that the kids need.
The project was officially opened just before Christmas by Alain. In the opening ceremony, everyone from the village was completely showered with fresh water; something that, for such a long time, was impossible in Irodo. There was a huge traditional celebration party and the whole village joined in. Some zebus were sacrificed to please the spirits and ancestors. There was food for everyone. This was such an important and wonderful occasion.
We are extremely proud that with the company and the foundation we have been able to make an impressive difference for Irodo and its people.
