Important tools for establishment of area mechanics

The two documents attached are useful tools for the implementation of a network of hand pump mechanics.
It is still at a draft stage but it will become national guidelines from the Ministry of Water and Irrigation.

The experience of Inter Aide and BASEDA in maintenance project highly contributed to these guidelines as major inputs and tools have been developed by them.

Link to the guide manual for establishment of Area Mechanics - Official

Link to a a training Manual of Area Mechanic - Official

Ideal Area Mechanic System

Bicycle maintenance training

Pump mechanics have sometimes long distances to cover. They are equipped with bicycles. But the same question of maintenance needs to be considered in order to ensure the durability and the good conditions of their vehicles.

InterAide developed a module to train the pump mechanics for regular care and repairs that have to be done on their bikes.

Clik here to get the Acrobat pdf document

Salima presentation

Project in Salima was lauched in September 2008.

It comprises 9 shops and 28 Area mechanics.





Click on the picture to enlarge it.


Next posts will present impressive figures about this district since 2008.

Area Mechanics zones

When Area mechanics start to work on their zone, a map representing it is provided to each of them.

These zones definition criteria are:
- The  Area mechanics lives quite in the center of it
- It must contain a sufficient number of hand pump (about 50 Afridev or Malda is a good number) to give enough work to the Area mechanic to perform its activity actively
- Its size must be compliant with bike travels

A geographic information system (GIS) has been used to define these maps.

See above an example of a zone in Mchinji:

Kasungu - Area Mechanics distribution

Kasungu district is the biggest district manage by the Tikonze Mjigo project in central region (140 km from North to South and 115 km from East to West). According to UNICEF datas from December 2009, we find here 2106 Afridev handpumps. The number of Area Mechanics which is necessary is about 37 (areas above are 15 km diameter, and contain about 75 Afridev).

Area Mechanic presentation - Tikonze Mjigo

Area mechanics (AM) are identified with help of the District and the communities, then trained CBM1 (Community Based Management Level 1) & CBM2 on Afridev.

Tools kits and Push bike provided when they sign a 2 years contract in which they engage themselves to be active in their catchment’s area and attend monthly meeting s organized by the project. They have to work as independent workers and get labour charges from the communities. At the beginning of the project, they get technical supports and tips on community social approach from InterAide Maintenance assistants (one is present in each district and is mobile with a motorcycle).

During the monthly meetings, they report on the contracts signed, get in touch with the maintenance project and share experience with others AM.

There are 2 main types of contracts:

• The reparation contract to repair a broken hand pump. Cost between 500 Mk and 1.200 Mk. The contract has a guarantee of one month.
  


• The maintenance contract only deals with functional hand pump for preventive maintenance (4 visits per year). Cost around 1.200 Mk.