mer•ry-go-round (mer-ee-goh-round) Pronunciation Key n.
- A burning, hot, metal, piece of play equipment that flings you off it at speeds of 40 miles per hour after which you likely vomit.
- A pump used in Africa to provide clean water to rural villages.
I don’t know about you but the first definition is the one that first comes to my mind when I hear merry-go-round. But believe it or not the second definition is also correct.
Health begins with safe drinking water, but often clean water must be pumped with expensive equipment from boreholes, dug deep in the ground. PlayPumps, a South African company, has made an innovative product that both serves as play equipment for children and a source of clean water for their communities. As the merry-go-round spins the PlayPump pumps clean water from underground into a 2500 liter tank standing seven meters above ground. A simple tap at the base of the tank makes it easy for women and children to draw water.