Organisation
In each region a cooperative is appointed on a non-profit basis. This contract partner for the villages delivers, implements and maintains the water filter and also arranges and regulates the financing. In each area a person (Village Woman) is recruited as project leader and this person functions as a link between the village community and the cooperative. She is responsible for the handling and operation of the installation and for her part instructs the inhabitants.
.
Moreover, the cooperative takes over the function of regional contact point for maintenance and emergency. It instructs the Village Woman in first-aid, provides her with a mobile telephone and operates a call center for any kind of emergency. The cooperative also puts at the disposal of the village a kiosk for medicinal and daily consumer goods, and this is run by the Village Woman. The cooperative checks all installations once a month and keeps the kiosk well
supplied.
Financing
„If something does not cost anything, then it is not worth anything.“ Eugen Müller
.
Drinking water is paid for according to this motto. An implemented water filter installation costs 5,000 US$ . Half of this is subsidised by the state, the other half is paid by sponsors, companies, private individuals and the village. Inhabitants pay a fixed liter price between 0.2 and 1 US cents for every liter of water collected, according to what they can afford. This income goes into each village’s account. On the one hand the cooperative, which provides the maintenance of the installation and the infrastructure, is financed. On the other hand, financial reserves are built up and set aside for investments, amortisation, infrastructure development, training etc