Strategy can be defined as a tool for success. It is built on the objectives and mission of an organisation. The idea behind play pumps was great because it was meant was to supply water to thousands of South African families who could not access the precious commodity. A simple idea can yield impressive results so long as it receives goodwill from the community and support from different quarters. In the video report by Amy Castello, it is evident that Trevor Field (the CEO of Play Pumps International) was extremely ambitious in rolling out the project. The organisation rolled out thousands of play pumps in South Africa and Mozambique within a very short time. However, several pumps failed to produce any water after installation.
From this incident, we can learn that the magnitude of a project does not matter. Quality should always be given the first priority. Even though Play Pumps International invested millions of dollars in the project, lack of maintenance led to major breakdowns of the pumps. Amy Castello reported that some play pumps in Mozambique failed to produce water from the first time they were installed.
Play Pumps International should have started with small play pumps projects which when successful, would have permitted the installation of more play pumps in locations hit by water scarcity.
Trevor Field was adamant to address the challenges that were facing the play pumps. The objectives of the play pumps were eventually achieved after the organisation realised that maintenance of the play pumps were necessary. Play Pumps International lacked adequate staff on the ground to carry out maintenance services for the pumps. The $16.4 millions pledged by Laura Bush could have been directed towards the maintenance services. The Hip Hop star Jay zee also raised $400,000 through his ‘Water for Life’ concert tour in Africa (Frontline World, 2005). These funds could have been used to maintain the pumps.
Trevor Field observed that the partner organisation (Save the Children) in Mozambique did not adhere to his instructions in choosing the best sites for drilling the pumps (Frontline World, 2010). Nonetheless, the broad objectives were eventually achieved when Play Pumps International and Save the Children resorted to repair the broken installations.
References
Frontline World (2005). South Africa: The Play Pump. Web.
Frontline World (2010). Southern Africa: Troubled Water. Web.