Balanfina is a typical Malian village situated 262 kilometers way from Bamako. The population  numbers 1342 inhabitants, including 639 women who live mostly on agricultural activities (rice and sheanut collection) and small trade. Balanfina is considered an important village, with a health center including a maternity and a dispensary, 6 classrooms, 1 shop for agricultural inputs and equipment, and a multifunctional platform. 
The multifunctional platform was installed, among the first ones, in Balanfina in 1994. It is composed of an engine, 2 mills, a dehuller made by local artisans, a generator that provides power for the battery charger, the welder and the electric pump. Through a water network, the platform provides clean water to 4 taps located in differents areas of the village. The platform also provides electricity to the health center. 
The platform was partly financed by the village and has now been managed by women for 6 years and runs smoothly without any external assistance. From May to December 1999, it worked for 639 hours, stopping for only a day and producing, for this 8 months period, a benefit of 415 dollars available to replace some of the equipment as it worns out. 
This successful experience has lead to a new partnership as the village and the project are now working together to extend the water network. 3 additional taps, a more powerful pump and a watertank, with a capacity of  20 cubic meters, are being installed with a village contribution of  2,400 dollars for an overall estimated cost of  10,680 dollars.