Connect International (Stichting Connect International)

The organisation:
Via local partners Connect International (CI) supports local communities to develop themselves. To reach this, innovative information systems and technologies are used. These so called Smart tecs are simple and affordable water- and sanitation solutions that in general can be produced locally.
The keyword is reparability, users are able to the maintenance themselves and spareparts are affordable and available. A Smart tec example is the rope pump, an innovative low cost handpump now used by 3 million people. Others examples are Rota sludge and Baptist well drilling, Tube groundwater recharge, Easy drip irrigation, Siphon water filters and VIP latrines.

The partnership:
Connect International supports Akvo with examples of good practices but also informs on failures, this because experiences indicate, “Simple is not easy”. A successful introduction of a simple technology requires, professional guidance. Learning from the past and combining the experiences of the Akvo partners, cost of water and sanitation can be reduced and sustainability increased.