‘I want to make life in developing countries more bearable’

His deepest wish: make life in developing countries more bearable. As a mechanical engineer he contributes by designing and developing special water pumps, for instance solar pumps. In doing so, he is a key partner of Word2act in the Drops4Crops project in Burkina Faso.

With over 40 years of experience worldwide, Gert Jan Bom is a valuable asset to the team. He is a mechanical engineer for Practica Foundation and focusses entirely on the development of water pumps that meet the specific needs of the local people.

Comfortable lives

Bom: I find it especially important that we, who live comfortable lives in the West, at least try to improve the living conditions of the people in the developing countries. And I hope to do my fair share.

Drinking water projects

After he graduated from several technical studies, Bom looked for opportunities to make a positive difference in the world. In the early 70’s , Bom participated in voluntary work in Tanzania and continued his work in Guinnea-Bissau and Burkina Faso. He has always been involved in the drinking water projects and the maintenance of these water pumps. And so he became passionate about the cause.

Solar pumps in Burkina faso

The know-how and experience Bom got from his fieldwork, he now implements in the Drops4Crops project in Yatenga, Burkina Faso. In the desert-like climate of the North of Burkina Faso, water is a limited – or simply put: a scarce – commodity. However, agriculture is not impossible. In fact it can be quite fruitful if water consumption is efficiently used. Bom: “I develop water pumps that not only meet their particular needs, but also suit the local conditions. The pumps we work with are locally assembled so they not only provide water, but also create new jobs.