Here we are, at the beginning of 2010. The question is, what will we be doing in Water for Life this year?
Let me give you a little bit of an idea.
Nick, our project manager in Rwanda will host at least one Water for Life seminar, and will continue to install water catchment systems on schools and orphanages. This year is a time to train local Rwandese to continue the work into the future.
Daniel, our project manager in Kosovo expects to see a good number of the open wells in the village where Water for Life works covered and fitted with an electric pump to minimize contamination of the water. There also will be movement in cleaning up the river and addressing sanitation needs.
Around the world, Water for Life seminars will be offered so as to train individuals to construct their own water gathering and treatment systems, and to pass that information on to others.
What about Haiti? The attention of the world is on this incredibly crushed nation, lacking every basic service to meet the needs of the people after the earthquake. Water is being shipped in mainly in the form of bottled water, or in huge rubber bladders. We have considered what our part might be, and we are best suited to help later as the houses are rebuilt and new communities are formed. That will be the time when our technologies can make a difference.
Will we help in Haiti? Yes….but later. Our experience has been that when the immediate outpouring of help and the media attention decrease, that is when the most help is needed by a community to find permanent solutions to things like water needs. That is when we will be there! Our first visit will be a fact finding trip but not until at least April….we will keep you posted!
