Paths of least resistance

Paths of least resistance, scaling up by creating an environment rather than an "organization".

In the Dominican Republic after nearly 6 years we are now approaching 9,000 families in over 100 communities using a combination of the BioSand + Chlorine. This has been accomplished with no project employees to date. The concept has evolved by creating alliances and opportunities between NGOs and a private sector. Barriers are created when outside organizations take on too much ownership.

Education is provided to interested community leaders identified by NGO's, Rotary clubs or whomever. These individuals become Community Facilitators, with no real organizational affiliation to the project, but to their own community. They return to their communities and begin the process of education to raise the awareness of the water problems to a higher priority.

There is less resistance when the whole process appears to originate from within. It can not be overstated how effective a local person (not just native) of respect can motivate his own community.

Granted, our process is somewhat like cherry picking in that community projects are first generated where easiest, good community leaders, openness and community access. The amount of effort to cause behavioral modification is significantly less in some communities than others due to a host of factors. Resources go towards the least resistance first, more challenging communities become easier as time goes on (reputation, technology, cost, education and such).

Bob Hildreth
Project Las Americas
Dominican Republic