Looking for an idea

[Dave McClung]

I know there are a lot of creative people here. It would be great if one of you could have an idea that solves a problem. Here is the assignment:

For a year and a half, I have been making micro-loans to members of the Nazarene clergy in Africa to help them be entrepreneurs. So far, I have waited for them to have the idea to be funded.

The problem with expanding the program is that so few of the clergy have good ideas for money making businesses.

What I would like to do next is take a money making idea to Africa, that could be easily replicated. Right now the leading idea is water treatment. I could put together a package of everything needed to purify water so that it could be sold. My investment would include digging a well, then providing the equimpment needed to treat and package the water for sale. All a person would have to do to start a water business would be to find a location that needs water, obtain the rights to dig a well and set up the process. The package I would provide would include all of the equipment needed and lessons on how to set up the business.

Here is the challenge:
The business must be capable of producing a cash flow quickly.
The initial investment needs to be less than $2,500.
The business needs to address a real need.
The business needs to be one that can be replicated easily.

Let me hear your ideas. If you come up with a good one, you can be part of making a positive difference to Nazarene pastors in Africa.

[Anita F. Henck]

Dave-
Have you considered working through an existing program? One of the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Awards at Point Loma went to alumnus Dana Passons Larson who is the cofounder and director of finance for Healing Waters International. There's an article about the program at
http://www.pointloma.edu/Giving/Dreams/Alumni_Achievements/Dana_Larson.htm

I was present when she received the award and so impressed with the impact this program has had around the world. Your post reminded me of her work and I thought I'd bring it to your attention.

==anita==

[Jim Franklin]

At arid Sun Valley Indian School in Arizona we had a Reverse Osmossis set up to provide drinkable water as the tap water was too alkaline to be healthy. I was unaware of this and at the end of the first three weeks I was down until I got the purer water to consume. I do not know the cost of a RO set up but I think that it would be the surest and purest way to go.

[Wanda Van Winkle]

On of the things not mentioned in your list is upkeep.

When dealing with a third world country, I would recommend conscientiously thinking of the after effect.

Have you seen those giant discount stores that move out of an area and leave empty buildings?

It reminds me of putting something in place somewhere and the people without the means to keep it going--that is, parts, supplies, etc. for repairs and general maintenance.

So before replicating something that could leave dead projects all over trashing the environment--once you move out and the natives have nothing to keep it going--consider this aspect.

I know there are a lot of creative people here. It would be great if one of you could have an idea that solves a problem. Here is the assignment:

For a year and a half, I have been making micro-loans to members of the Nazarene clergy in Africa to help them be entrepreneurs. So far, I have waited for them to have the idea to be funded.

The problem with expanding the program is that so few of the clergy have good ideas for money making businesses.

What I would like to do next is take a money making idea to Africa, that could be easily replicated. Right now the leading idea is water treatment. I could put together a package of everything needed to purify water so that it could be sold. My investment would include digging a well, then providing the equimpment needed to treat and package the water for sale. All a person would have to do to start a water business would be to find a location that needs water, obtain the rights to dig a well and set up the process. The package I would provide would include all of the equipment needed and lessons on how to set up the business.

Here is the challenge:
The business must be capable of producing a cash flow quickly.
The initial investment needs to be less than $2,500.
The business needs to address a real need.
The business needs to be one that can be replicated easily.

Let me hear your ideas. If you come up with a good one, you can be part of making a positive difference to Nazarene pastors in Africa.

[Dave McClung]

On of the things not mentioned in your list is upkeep.

When dealing with a third world country, I would recommend conscientiously thinking of the after effect.

Have you seen those giant discount stores that move out of an area and leave empty buildings?

It reminds me of putting something in place somewhere and the people without the means to keep it going--that is, parts, supplies, etc. for repairs and general maintenance.

So before replicating something that could leave dead projects all over trashing the environment--once you move out and the natives have nothing to keep it going--consider this aspect.

Yours is a good observation. When I visited the district center in Zambia, there was a water faucet by the building that ran constantly. It was obvious that the faucet washer needed to be replaced. I asked the DS what it would cost to get it fixed. He replied that it really didn't make sense to fix it because the water pressure was so high that it would just make the new one to leak too.

Still, a society can't be lifted out of poverty without starting where they are and teaching the basics. It is hard to teach people to be concerned about the environment when they don't know where their next meal is coming from.

[Wanda Van Winkle]

I guess I was not totally clear. Besides the environment, if you go in to "help" people as an investment, you need to be sure you are not focusing on the investment and return while ignoring the repercussions. If you build something that will work only long enough to make a profit, and then the people are not able to maintain the built thing, then did you really help them? Or did you only make money? I wish I could remember the name of the organization here in Oklahoma City that has or had a goal to help countries make their own things with the things available in their countries. They they do not rely on other countries to maintain. They have the resources available to keep up the original intention of the improvement.

Yours is a good observation. When I visited the district center in Zambia, there was a water faucet by the building that ran constantly. It was obvious that the faucet washer needed to be replaced. I asked the DS what it would cost to get it fixed. He replied that it really didn't make sense to fix it because the water pressure was so high that it would just make the new one to leak too.

Still, a society can't be lifted out of poverty without starting where they are and teaching the basics. It is hard to teach people to be concerned about the environment when they don't know where their next meal is coming from.

[Meghan Schoonover]

At arid Sun Valley Indian School in Arizona we had a Reverse Osmossis set up to provide drinkable water as the tap water was too alkaline to be healthy. I was unaware of this and at the end of the first three weeks I was down until I got the purer water to consume. I do not know the cost of a RO set up but I think that it would be the surest and purest way to go.

RO definitely makes an excellent and pure end-product. Unfortunately it's an inefficient means of water purification as it consumes several gallons of water during to make one gallon of purified water. In an area with limited water resources that would be problematic.

[DA Weaver]

I'm not sure if this is the lines in which you were thinking, but my husband's uncle is a part of the Christian Motorcycle Association. The CMA wanted to go over and donate a few motorcycles, but reality was that no one could afford the price of gas, and importing parts to repair the bikes was too expensive to maintain. The solution? The CMA donated bicycles for the pastors to use in their ministry. I don't know how profitable it would be, or if there would even be a need for it, but what about something like a bicycle shop? I only suggest it because if there's going to be bicycles traveling everywhere to minister, there's going to be a need for some place to purchase parts, supplies, or to even perform repairs.

[Dave McClung]

I'm not sure if this is the lines in which you were thinking, but my husband's uncle is a part of the Christian Motorcycle Association. The CMA wanted to go over and donate a few motorcycles, but reality was that no one could afford the price of gas, and importing parts to repair the bikes was too expensive to maintain. The solution? The CMA donated bicycles for the pastors to use in their ministry. I don't know how profitable it would be, or if there would even be a need for it, but what about something like a bicycle shop? I only suggest it because if there's going to be bicycles traveling everywhere to minister, there's going to be a need for some place to purchase parts, supplies, or to even perform repairs.

Bicycle shops do well in Africa. That is an example of a business I would support, but it isn't one that can be easily replicated.

[DA Weaver]

As I was in bed last night thinking about your request for ideas, something popped into my head from my w&w trip to Brazil 20 years ago. The problem is I don't know if the demand would be the same for Africa, or if parts would be easily accessible. Those would be two key factors. Oh, nor do I know the cost. However, now that I've shown my ignorance from the beginning, you've been forewarned!!! ;)

What about something like a concrete mixer rental? While in Brazil, we found it more productive to rent a concrete mixer v. mixing the concrete by hand. The work was done much faster. The problem I see with the idea though is in a land with such poverty, I don't necessarily see a "need" for such a luxury. It might be one of those items that would target the upper class instead targetting the vast majority of consumers.

Anyway, it was an idea.

[Jon Twitchell]

Somewhere, back in the recesses of my memory, is a story about people turning those white plastic patio chairs into wheelchairs, using bicycle tires and a handful of spare parts. These were then used in countries where any wheelchair was good--because nobody could afford our "fancy" wheelchairs.

However, I don't really think it fits the bill of what you're looking for... but it kept coming to mind, so I thought I would post it, in hopes of generating another idea.

[DA Weaver]

One question I continue to ask myself is in a 3rd world country, what is there a constant need for? Regardless of class stature i.e. upper, middle, lower, what are constant demands that every class has? It seems that water, food, and medical are the three most important needs. I think you've hit the nail on the head with the water idea. The other two areas that one might consider then would be natural food sources and medical sources.

Here are a few questions that I have running through my head... What are food sources that could do well in Africa? Could you help with the initial cost of materials needed? I.e. seed, tools, etc... Would it be necessary to hire a guard to protect the field? Could you find someone to teach them how to farm, someone who could teach them how to prepare the land, plant the crops, harvest, sell, and reserve seed for future crops? It's something that could regenerate it's own seed, or perhaps not only regenerate it's own seed, but to also reserve some extra seed to pass along to the next potential farmer as well.

Anyway... there's a few more things that have been running through my head. The thought was generated from my husband's love of farming, and his desire to fulfill his life's dream of being a farmer. Our family is the first generation since the Weaver family immigrated to the U.S. not to be farmers. It's in my husband's blood, it's something that he has a passion for, and something that he struggles with, not being able to live that dream.

The odd thing though... we've talked about it intensively, but do not know where God is leading. His heart is set on Africa, and he dreams of being able to go teach others how to farm, how to depend on the land, and ultimately how to depend on God to provide through that land. He envisions being able to teach about irrogation and the entire farming process to help others build trust in God through farming. It seems farming and depending on God go hand in hand. One can not have a successful farm, w/o faith in God to provide.

Those are my words, not his, but it's a basic description of how I think he feels.

[Dave McClung]

As I was in bed last night thinking about your request for ideas, something popped into my head from my w&w trip to Brazil 20 years ago. The problem is I don't know if the demand would be the same for Africa, or if parts would be easily accessible. Those would be two key factors. Oh, nor do I know the cost. However, now that I've shown my ignorance from the beginning, you've been forewarned!!! ;)

What about something like a concrete mixer rental? While in Brazil, we found it more productive to rent a concrete mixer v. mixing the concrete by hand. The work was done much faster. The problem I see with the idea though is in a land with such poverty, I don't necessarily see a "need" for such a luxury. It might be one of those items that would target the upper class instead targetting the vast majority of consumers.

Anyway, it was an idea.

I will put that one on my list to consider; however, there is a problem. Those mixers run on electricity. There is no electricity in many of the places.

[Dave McClung]

One question I continue to ask myself is in a 3rd world country, what is there a constant need for? Regardless of class stature i.e. upper, middle, lower, what are constant demands that every class has? It seems that water, food, and medical are the three most important needs. I think you've hit the nail on the head with the water idea. The other two areas that one might consider then would be natural food sources and medical sources.

Here are a few questions that I have running through my head... What are food sources that could do well in Africa? Could you help with the initial cost of materials needed? I.e. seed, tools, etc... Would it be necessary to hire a guard to protect the field? Could you find someone to teach them how to farm, someone who could teach them how to prepare the land, plant the crops, harvest, sell, and reserve seed for future crops? It's something that could regenerate it's own seed, or perhaps not only regenerate it's own seed, but to also reserve some extra seed to pass along to the next potential farmer as well.

Anyway... there's a few more things that have been running through my head. The thought was generated from my husband's love of farming, and his desire to fulfill his life's dream of being a farmer. Our family is the first generation since the Weaver family immigrated to the U.S. not to be farmers. It's in my husband's blood, it's something that he has a passion for, and something that he struggles with, not being able to live that dream.

The odd thing though... we've talked about it intensively, but do not know where God is leading. His heart is set on Africa, and he dreams of being able to go teach others how to farm, how to depend on the land, and ultimately how to depend on God to provide through that land. He envisions being able to teach about irrogation and the entire farming process to help others build trust in God through farming. It seems farming and depending on God go hand in hand. One can not have a successful farm, w/o faith in God to provide.

Those are my words, not his, but it's a basic description of how I think he feels.

On of the projects I am supporting is a fish farm. It is meeting a real need.

One of the biggest needs is a way to safely store their crops. Their primary source of food is maise (we call it corn). They have a lot to eat when the crop is coming in, but don't have good ways to store it. Mostly, they put it on their roofs where birds and rats eat up to 40%.

I was once involved in a project to build grain eleveators, but like so many projects it died for lack of attention. The urgent always takes priority over the important.

[Ryan Scott]

I think the idea of providing a service that perhaps more wealthy people need could be a better route to go.

I was thinking about your water purification idea and didn't want to comment until I had another alternative to offer. I've yet to come up with an alternative, but my wife suggested I comment anyway.

I was thinking about the impact on a community of having clean water available. It would certainly be good in many different ways. However, if the proprietors are going to make a business out of it, they will have to change for the water. This will leave those people too poor to afford the price to continue to drink the unhealthy water. It just didn't seem like a very Christian action, to provide a benefit and ignore those who cannot afford it.

I would just suggest figuring out a way to price something like this, especially when it is a necessity for health and life, in a way that would allow the whole community to benefit from the project.

[Dave McClung]

I think the idea of providing a service that perhaps more wealthy people need could be a better route to go.

I was thinking about your water purification idea and didn't want to comment until I had another alternative to offer. I've yet to come up with an alternative, but my wife suggested I comment anyway.

I was thinking about the impact on a community of having clean water available. It would certainly be good in many different ways. However, if the proprietors are going to make a business out of it, they will have to change for the water. This will leave those people too poor to afford the price to continue to drink the unhealthy water. It just didn't seem like a very Christian action, to provide a benefit and ignore those who cannot afford it.

I would just suggest figuring out a way to price something like this, especially when it is a necessity for health and life, in a way that would allow the whole community to benefit from the project.

Ryan, there are examples all over Africa where people have taken the charity approach to providing water. Money is raised in the U.S. to dig a well and provide the equipment to purify the water. The water is provided without cost to the village, but there is no provision for maintenance. Without maintenance, in a few months, the well ceases to function and the village is right back were it was.

Where people have approached the water issue with a business-like approach the supply of water endures. Those who dig the well and purify the water provide the water at a "market price." Because they benefit from the sale of water, they tend to maintain the well and the equipment. Initially, the price may be high, but when others see how well the first water company is doing, others start putting in wells. Competition drives down the price of water to the point that the water companies cover their costs and make a small profit. Everyone benefits.

In the long run, which approach is better for the village? The one that provides free water for a while, or the one that results in a lot of water over time at a reasonable price?

The bottom line is this. Pure water isn't free. Someone has to pay for it. If the water is to be provided free, a charity has to not only pay the intitial cost, but continue to fund the maintenance forever. Have you ever responded to an appeal to pay for maintenance cost of wells that are already in place? Americans don't tend to give to maintenance.

When the problem is approached in a business-like approach, people get water at a reasonable price and the wells don't fail for lack of maintenance.

[Meghan Schoonover]

Speaking of water and incentives, I saw this thing in a magazine once about wells in Africa where they installed a merry-go-round to pump the water. The kids loved playing on it and it generated the power necessary to pump the water. I thought that was very ingenious and seems like it could be easily replicated.

I think this is the website, not sure if it would be a good idea for you since it's already being done, but thought I'd throw that out there b/c of the conversation: Playpumps International (http://www.playpumps.org/site/c.hqLNIXOEKrF/b.2559311/k.7BCB/Playpumps_International_and_the_PlayPump_water_sys tem_Kids_play_Water_Pumps.htm)

[DA Weaver]

Ryan, there are examples all over Africa where people have taken the charity approach to providing water. Money is raised in the U.S. to dig a well and provide the equipment to purify the water. The water is provided without cost to the village, but there is no provision for maintenance. Without maintenance, in a few months, the well ceases to function and the village is right back were it was.

Where people have approached the water issue with a business-like approach the supply of water endures. Those who dig the well and purify the water provide the water at a "market price." Because they benefit from the sale of water, they tend to maintain the well and the equipment. Initially, the price may be high, but when others see how well the first water company is doing, others start putting in wells. Competition drives down the price of water to the point that the water companies cover their costs and make a small profit. Everyone benefits.

In the long run, which approach is better for the village? The one that provides free water for a while, or the one that results in a lot of water over time at a reasonable price?

The bottom line is this. Pure water isn't free. Someone has to pay for it. If the water is to be provided free, a charity has to not only pay the intitial cost, but continue to fund the maintenance forever. Have you ever responded to an appeal to pay for maintenance cost of wells that are already in place? Americans don't tend to give to maintenance.

When the problem is approached in a business-like approach, people get water at a reasonable price and the wells don't fail for lack of maintenance.

Here's a thought... what about a program where one might be able to purchase the wells that have already been dug, the ones you talk about above? I understand that maintenance is a problem; however, if one could purchase a well that the major investments have already been invested into, and perform minimal repairs (hopefully), would it then be possible to begin charging for water and generate funding that way to cover the cost of maintenance and an income for the operator? I don't even know if this would be possible, but it seems the majority of the work has already been done, and it would simply be a matter of maintenance. Would something like this be possible?

[Ryan Scott]

Yeah, well maintenance seems like a good option, because your asking towns to pitch in to pay for it, and not necessarily individuals.

[Dennis M. Scott]

Are photovoltaic panel advances and refinements making electricity less of an issue? I recognize it requires another whole knowledge base, but panels are now being used in the US nearly exclusively for highway powered signs: there are very few long-wired electric signs anymore. I might think that they could open up a raft of low-energy use tools in many remote areas: sewing machines, pumps, etc..

The necessity of locally sustaining business endeavors is crucial. We are so accustomed to handouts and subsidies that it takes energy to think about assisting in self-sufficient projects.

How universal are entrepreneural inclinations? A decade ago I was more optimistic about them being able to be taught.

[Jim Franklin]

I mentioned this to Teacher Esther and she said that her school had raised funds last year for one of these Play Pumps. Most unique and practical idea I have heard in a long time.

[Mike Schutz]

Ryan, there are examples all over Africa where people have taken the charity approach to providing water. Money is raised in the U.S. to dig a well and provide the equipment to purify the water. The water is provided without cost to the village, but there is no provision for maintenance. Without maintenance, in a few months, the well ceases to function and the village is right back were it was.

Where people have approached the water issue with a business-like approach the supply of water endures. Those who dig the well and purify the water provide the water at a "market price." Because they benefit from the sale of water, they tend to maintain the well and the equipment. Initially, the price may be high, but when others see how well the first water company is doing, others start putting in wells. Competition drives down the price of water to the point that the water companies cover their costs and make a small profit. Everyone benefits.

In the long run, which approach is better for the village? The one that provides free water for a while, or the one that results in a lot of water over time at a reasonable price?

The bottom line is this. Pure water isn't free. Someone has to pay for it. If the water is to be provided free, a charity has to not only pay the intitial cost, but continue to fund the maintenance forever. Have you ever responded to an appeal to pay for maintenance cost of wells that are already in place? Americans don't tend to give to maintenance.

When the problem is approached in a business-like approach, people get water at a reasonable price and the wells don't fail for lack of maintenance.

We saw this situation in Romania. An organization would come into a gypsy village, such as the one outside Albesti near Sighisoara, and dig a new well. However, because no one person had the motivation and incentive to take care of the well, it would quickly become contaminated.