Transportation and Domestic Use |
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Water is a precious resource in Mali. In some villages, like the one pictured, village pumps are used 24 hours a day, non-stop, just to supply villagers with water. Transportation of water from the pump back to a home is a critical piece in determining a person with a disability's ability to function independently. Carrying a five liter container of water is no small feat, let alone compounding the task with limited mobility and/or body strength. | ||||
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Once home, people have to be able to use the water they carried, which involves transfering water from a large receptacle to something useful like a kettle or bowl. The MWDS team developed a "bucket tipper" which can be manufactured in metal or wood (both of which are readily available in Mali). The container is placed in a swing that pivots and can then be tipped easily with one hand to pour water out. This prevents the container from slipping and doesn't require the body strength needed to hold a full container off the ground while pouring. | ||||