Hippo Rollers
Hippo Roller makes it extremely easy to collect water in tough rural conditions, up to five times more water than a single bucket, by simply rolling it along the ground.
The ‘Hippo Water Roller Project’ was established in 1994 in response to the unique needs and constraints in terms of access to water of rural women and children across Africa.
The Hippo Rollers impact has been felt in more than 20 countries, with a total distribution of 50,000 Hippo Water Rollers, and a reach of close to half a million people.
Hippo Roller Core Values:
- To improve access to water: Hippo rollers work with rural and impoverished communities to help improve access to water.
- To promote social investment: They provide social investment and fundraising opportunities for NGOs, government, cooperation’s, and individuals to purchase Hippo Water Rollers for those who need then most, but typically cannot afford them.
- To grow a sustainable business: Hippo Roller is a social enterprise with a sustainable for-profit business model that facilitates the distribution of its products to rural communities, while addressing the challenge to end-user affordability.
- To provide appropriate technology: It is widely accepted in many countries by water-stressed communities.
Around 750 million people do not have easy access to clean water. Millions of women and children walk several hours each day to collect water with heavy 20 litre/5 gal buckets, balanced on their heads.
The Hippo water Roller was developed in 1991 by two South African in response to the daily struggle of rural women and children across Africa to access safe, drinkable water.
The award-winning technology is a distinctive portable water innovation that enables rural communities to transport water more easily and in less time than with traditional methods.
The 90 litre Hippo Water Roller is a strong and durable barrel-shaped container equipped with a steel handle with which it can be pushed or pulled. The effective weight of the 90 kg drum is just 10 kg when pushed or rolled on level ground, making it very user friendly.
