In an increasingly thirsty world, PlayPumps International installs merry-go-rounds (also known as roundabouts or run abouts) that pump water when kids play on them. The simplicity of the system is elegant: Kids play, and water pumps. Entire villages gain access to clean drinking water without the intense labor and time investment required before the pumps were installed. Crops can be irrigated. Sanitation becomes easier to achieve. Time once spent gathering water is available for family, community and education.
The pumps are funded by donations and by the revenues from outdoor advertising on reservoir towers.
Playpumps also provides educational information, downloadable action kits, and a Facebook group where you can join or lend support.
This is ecopreneurship at its best, incorporating need, innovation, beneficiary participation, and social good into a single forward-looking solution.
Photo Credit: The Gallery images here are courtesy of PlayPump International and their advocates.
Merry-Go-Rounds As Water Pumps
PlayPumps Demonstrate Fun Ecopreneurship
Trend Themes
1. Playful Water Access - Develop technology around playful access to basic needs to improve global access.
2. Ecopreneurship Solutions - Integrate innovation, beneficiary participation, and social good into solutions for global issues.
3. Revenue-powered Philanthropy - Combine philanthropy with business models such as advertising to finance social responsibility.
Industry Implications
1. Water Access - Develop technology that provides access to water for regions in need.
2. Eco-friendly Entrepreneurship - Create enterprise models based on eco-friendly practices.
3. Social Responsibility Advertising - Explore advertising as a means of financing social responsibility.