摘要：RACINES (Recherches, Actions Communautaires, Initiatives
pour un Nouvel ESpoir) is a Beninese non-governmental organization
established in 1999 following the initiatives of young Beninese executives.
A case study undertaken in 2003 in the villages of Galata and Agbon in the
commune of Bantè identified the need for drinking water as the most
urgent need. In response to this need, and with the financial support of
Oxfam Québec, RACINES initiated a project for the installation of manual
water pumps in the two villages. The development of this project involved
three major phases: the mobilization of communities around this project, the
installation of water pumps and the organization of socio-sanitary
educational activities. Twenty months into the execution of the project, a
local management committee was established and strengthened, a hand-operated
water pump was installed and water-themed public awareness activities, such
as water use, water sanitation and the dangers of drinking dirty or
contaminated water, were organized every month or so in each of the two
communities. Overall, this project has introduced a new type of leadership
in the commune of Bantè, involving a high level of participation by
young people working alongside the elders in the local management committees
and ensuring the perpetuation of the systems installed.
