THINGS TO CONSIDER

Need

If you are deciding between multiple communities with which to work, try to look carefully at their respective needs. There is no foolproof metric, but take into account all aspects of the community’s resources, and infrastructural necessity. Necessity can come in many forms. Basic access to clean water, sanitation, and transportation are some good indicators of a community’s need and economic isolation. Dirt floors, leaking roofs, insecure structural elements, weak walls, and insufficient or crowded classrooms detract from a high quality learning experience. Be sure to take these types of factors into consideration as well. It’s not just about need. A community’s interest in the bottle school project and their willingness to work hard is essential to a project’s

feasibility and long-term sustainability, which only comes with pride and ownership. Good indicators include: attendance and participation at community meetings, rate of bottle collection, and passionate leadership.

Timing

Please be conscious of the fact that bottle school projects take time to develop. The process of enrolling teachers, parents and community leaders has to evolve over time, and bottle collection and making thousands of eco-bricks doesn’t happen overnight. Factor in time for unforeseen delays in the process – and know that there is no rush, it’s better to do it right. Also be aware of delays that can be caused by holidays, political cycles, and the rainy season.