Modibo Kane CISSE, Head of the NGO division of the Committee of Grass-roots Development Support, within the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Local Groups, in Mali
“The actions that Eau Vive has led in the republic of Mali for the last two decades are relevant to expectations, preoccupations and real needs. The Malians in the countryside consider them a source of hope. We can affirm without a doubt that the experience, expertise, know-how, and the will-to-do capitalized upon by the organization are convincing lessons in pragmatism.
Indeed, through their efficient methodological approaches and teaching tools, Eau Vive has shown us that all grass-roots development must really be at the same time endogenous, integrated, participative, and sustainable. With their approach, Eau Vive was able to include many domains left aside by other development players.
Far exceeding our expectations, Eau Vive knew how to establish good rapports at grass-roots level (villages, rural communities, communes, communal councils) and at the administrative level (High Council of decentralized “collectivités territoriales”, DNCT, CADB). At the same time, Eau Vive also knew how to involve State technical services in the execution and monitoring of its actions.
In conclusion, we have observed that in relation to daily life, motivation of the villagers, social dynamics, and perceptions of development issues, Eau Vive has radically transformed the approaches and perceptions of the villages and communities that it has assisted. Eau Vive is the experienced predecessor of the democratization process, decentralization and good governance process underway in Mali since the victorious democratic revolution of March 26, 1991. Best wishes to Eau Vive.”
Sidibe KABORE, chief of the village of Bouloum Nabyiri (Burkina Faso)
“Thanks to the support and the solidarity of Eau Vive, we have seen the construction of schools in 1998 and a maternity center in 2002. The entire population and myself, address our most profound recognition to the representatives of the association in Ouaga as well as those in France. It's a sentiment of joy and success which fills my heart with hope for children born from now on in maternity centers that are equipped and functional, for pregnant women who will give birth in better conditions, and for inhabitants who will be able to receive quality care at the health center.
The popular phrase says, “No one expects the leper to make music and voilà! He surprises everyone by playing the castanets.” Such is the case in my village where the inhabitants had no hope before their meeting with Eau Vive for such health and educational infrastructure. Today, it has been done thanks to our partnership. Our health is going to improve as well as our hope for longer life!”
Sanga Boulaye, activity leader of the village of Babo (Burkina Faso)
“ Through the actions of Eau Vive, I have noticed many changes for myself and for the village. First, our perception of development has improved: now people are conscious that the development of the village can not be summed up in the completion of one project, even if it is a priority. It takes many complementary actions in many different domains of the lives of the inhabitants (health, hygiene, education, training, production, etc. ). We have also been made conscious of the necessity for better organization in the village and the necessity for analyzing our actions before starting them.
In terms of internal organization, we are seeing fewer and fewer situations where a few village leaders hold all important roles and this situation favors a better participation of the population for work and investments decided by the village. We note a better participation at meetings. Women are no longer bothered by assuming responsibilities or taking the stage to express their concerns and defend their ideas. I think that all of this is linked with the awareness that Eau Vive has instilled in the village. The help of Eau Vive has reinforced our organization by setting up commissions by sector, coordinating and providing a local interlocutor. Finally, the approach of Eau Vive has helped us to get rid of a complex that we had had toward government employees and technical services.”
Saloum Massaawa MAIGA, driver becomes company director in Mali
“When I knew Eau Vive in the 1980's, I was a mechanic and driver for the AFVP (French Association of Volunteers for Progress) for their branch in Konobougou in the region of Segou. At that time, Eau Vive and AFVP were supporting a hydraulic program in a village for the construction of large diameter wells in the circle of Baroueli. I anted to understand the well drilling techniques, so I spent part of my free time observing and chatting with the teams of drillers while they were working.
I attended a few different meetings and debates within the village, between some villages and Eau Vive, between work teams and all the partners as well as with the local authorities. This period allowed me to understand all the work and effort made by the population to satisfy their water needs. I also saw the dynamic and dimension of support for development that Eau Vive based on solidarity and assuming of responsibility by players at all levels. I noted that there were people in France who, despite their modest means, contributed financially to the building of the wells (Saloum smiles while pronouncing the names of some donors that he met when visits were paid to Mali).
Little by little, I participated in some of the technical meeting of the drillers and some training sessions organized by Eau Vive. I was able to buy equipment thanks to loans from Compte Mutuel d'Equipement (CME). All this has made me today one of the well-digging professionals in Mali. I am no longer the young chauffeur-handyman, but the head of a company. I have a lot of partners for whom I carry out well projects in all the regions of Mali (AFVP, FED, CARE Mali etc.) and I have ambitions for the lower regions. I thank the good Lord for driving me towards Eau Vive, to whom I express all my gratitude and recognition. IRI KOYE MA BEANDI EAU VIVE!!! Which means in the language of Sonrhai : let God make Eau Vive even larger!”
Safi Welet NIDEYE, representative of women from the Village Council of Management of the Region (CVGT) in Gangani (Burkina Faso)
“For all inhabitants of Gangani and more particularly for women, the work of Eau Vive is beneficial because it has brought health to the village by bringing health and maternity centers closer to the population. This situation makes it easier for us to have access to care and to certain medicines and our children are better monitored with better care than before when we had to travel 20 km to get to a health center in Markoye or in Gorom-Gorom which is even farther.
With the arrival of health practitioners in Gangani, we regularly receive information and advice on hygiene practices, drinking water and how to treat it, as well as sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS.”