Hippo Water Roller Project

"The project aims to distribute sponsored Hippo rollers in partnership with NGO’s and donors to rural impoverished communities where access to water is limited.

The purpose is to significantly enhance people’s quality of life thereby improving their health, education and economic opportunities.

Education in hygiene, water purification, rainwater harvesting and food gardens are promoted simultaneously.

Social – Extensive time and energy is saved for other important tasks. Even men have started collecting water.

Health – increased hygiene and cleanliness mean fewer medical problems. Rolling rather than carrying heavy buckets of water reduces the chances of physical injuries.

Economic – improved productivity, income generation and food production is made possible.

A typical project includes the following elements:

• Sponsorship funding is secured and a recipient community is identified with or without the sponsor
• The project is introduced to the benefitting community leadership and a mandate to proceed is given
• The handover date is set, and on completion of production, the rollers are delivered to the site
• At the handover ceremony, community leaders and invited dignitaries address the beneficiaries - Sponsors are encouraged to participate
• Gratitude is expressed by the community through song and dance routines
• Rollers are handed over to household representatives in a predetermined and controlled manner

• empowers women and children
• saves time and energy
• reduces suffering

The practical and durable design of the Hippo enables more water to be transported more efficiently than traditional methods.

The Hippo, with it's large drum capacity of 90 litres / 24 gallons, frees women and children from having to spend a large portion of every day dedicated to collecting water for their households.

Far less effort is required to roll the heavy weight of water (90kg / 200lbs) along the ground rather than carrying on the head.

Currently, all Hippo Water Rollers are manufactured in and shipped from South Africa.

Most rollers are handed out in partnership with NGO’s, corporate businesses and governments with the resources to donate to impoverished communities.

Approximately 30,000 rollers have been distributed worldwide over the past 15 years, directly impacting over 200,000 people."

http://www.hipporoller.org