Reality Checks

noreply@blogger.com (K. Atkinson) — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:01:00 +0000

A while ago, I posted Charity: water's video of Jennifer Connelly in New York throwing out the idea of what it would look like for us to have to walk to local rivers or lakes and get our own water.

How different our lives are from those who live in areas of the world without clean water sources really hit home for me the other day. My husband and I are visiting my parents currently and they live in a very affluent neighborhood. It is a bit of culture shock to us, at times.

The other day I realized how easy we have it with water. While my laundry was washing, I was getting ice and water out of the refrigerator and into a cup, and at the same time my husband was taking a shower downstairs. In the same moment, in three separate rooms I had access to three separate sources of clean, fresh, water the temperature of my choice.

In light of that I was inspired to look more into the scarcity of water around the world for basic needs.

In areas of affluence we need to be reminded that others don''t live as we do. There is so much we can do to help!

Costs of Bottled Water

noreply@blogger.com (K. Atkinson) — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:25:00 +0000

Bottled water is seen everywhere. Anywhere you go, from restaurants to gas stations to grocery stores, bottled water is so present that we do not see the potential harm.

"The global consumption of bottled water reached 154 billion liters (41 billion gallons) in 2004, up 57 percent from the 98 billion liters consumed five years earlier. Even in areas where tap water is safe to drink, demand for bottled water is increasing—producing unnecessary garbage and consuming vast quantities of energy. Although in the industrial world bottled water is often no healthier than tap water, it can cost up to 10,000 times more. At as much as $2.50 per liter ($10 per gallon), bottled water costs more than gasoline." (From the Earth Policy Institute)

For most of the U.S., tap water is safe to drink. In fact, there are more regulations on safety of tap water than there are on bottled water companies. So what are some of the costs of drinking water?

*Only one out of five water bottles of the 150 billion sold in a year are recycled. So each year, bottled water contributes 120 billion water bottles to landfills or around cities as litter.

*The production and distribution of water bottles requires fossil fuels. "Transporting water around the globe involves burning massive quantities of fossil fuels and thus emitting greenhouse gases and other pollutants into the atmosphere. This contrasts starkly with tap water, which is distributed through an energy efficient infrastructure," said Janet Larson of the Earth Policy Institute. (From Bottled Water's Big Waste).

*Oil used in production of bottled water: "The most commonly used plastic for making water bottles is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is derived from crude oil. Making bottles to meet Americans’ demand for bottled water requires more than 17 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel more than 1 million U.S. cars for a year. Worldwide, some 2.7 million tons of plastic are used to bottle water each year." (From Bottled Water's Big Waste).

*The growth of the bottled water industry causes water shortages near bottled water factories. This has happened in Texas as well as around the great lakes where bottled water plants exist.

*Bottled water costs 2,900 times that of tap water.

Hope in Powder Form

noreply@blogger.com (K. Atkinson) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:07:00 +0000

There seem to be so many great things happening in the move to get water to the people around the world who do not have access to it. This week in on Time Magazine's blog, they talked about a help in the form of a water purifying powder.

The urgency of getting people access to clean water is felt in the writer's final statement: "Sure, it would be better if everyone had access to safe water piped in from fresh springs or treatments plants. But you could literally die waiting for that to happen."
[See Article:
Clean Water Powder ]

Just a Quick Post...

noreply@blogger.com (K. Atkinson) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 18:42:00 +0000

I saw this video on Youtube this afternoon and thought that it was worth posting.

For more information on how to help families receive clean drinking water: http://thewaterproject.org/clean-water-wells-in-africa.asp

For What It's Worth...

noreply@blogger.com (K. Atkinson) — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:19:00 +0000

It's all about perspective. Every day we spend money on things that won't last.

-The average price of a movie ticket in the US is $6.88, that same amount of money put into an organization like The Water Project can fund water to a child in Africa for over 6 years!

-$50 will buy a pair of jeans from a department store or a filter that would provide clean, healthy water for a whole family.

-$1 will buy a double cheeseburger at McDonalds or could give water to someone in Africa for one year.

-At times people feel like they cannot give enough. But if we got 500 people to give $1, that would be enough to fix an entire well in Zambia.

-If the entire population of largest city in the US (New York: close to 20,000,000) would give $1 we could build around 6,700 new wells. ; so that means we could give water to an entire country the size of Sierra Leone (about 5,000,000 people). [Each of those wells would reach 500-1000].

It starts small. Imagine the impact we could make if every one gave up one cheeseburger a month or one movie every few months!

For more information on donating to The Water Project.

For information on Water Challenge.

"Live simply so that others may simply live." Ghandi

Water: A life-source or a poison?

noreply@blogger.com (K. Atkinson) — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 07:09:00 +0000

In some cases this is not an easy question to answer. The very water that life depends on potentially brings as much harm as it does good.

Arsenic has long been recognized as a common poison or murder weapon used in movies, television, or books.

So what are families to do when their source of drinking, cooking, bathing, and cleaning water is contaminated with arsenic? Arsenic that even in very levels causes nausea and vomiting, affects production of blood cells, changes heart rhythm, and causes what appears to be corns or warts on the skin of those who ingest it long term. (http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts2.html#bookmark05)

In children, arsenic exposure or has also been show to lead to lower IQ scores. Eventually arsenic ingestion leads to cancers, liver and kidney failure, as well as the amputation of limbs.

In developing countries, (such as Bangladesh pictured above) shallow wells are often contaminated. And in many areas, the only other alternative to these wells is the ponds that are used for or placed near toilets. This “solution” leads to other health complications such as diarrhea and skin diseases, especially among children. The problem of unclean or contaminated water is a common one.

The situation with arsenic in the water is just one example of the issues that people in developing countries face.

There is always hope. In some instances, the solution is digging newer, deeper wells. Other technology is becoming available as well.

The awareness is growing, leading to more action. It is the responses and prayers of people like you helps developing areas to overcome this problem in such a crucial way!

For more information:

IRIN Humanitarian News and Analysis: http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=62999
Mason Gazette: http://gazette.gmu.edu/articles/9780/

One World Net: http://southasia.oneworld.net/article/view/157415/1/

(Picture from Pierce, Fred. “Bangladesh Arsenic Poisoning: who is to blame?” http://www.unesco.org/courier/2001_01/uk/planet.htm)

Kenya Agreement Signed

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Chasse) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:31:00 +0000

The news out of Kenya this morning is very positive. It appears that the rival political parties have reached some form of power-sharing agreement. We hope and pray this will indeed bring a swift end to the remaining pockets of violence around the country. We also hope that aid organizations will now be freed once again to help those in need.

The Situation in Kenya

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Chasse) — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 14:48:00 +0000

The political situation in Kenya has become quite unstable, with violence over the recent election results erupting in many cities and communities.

Like all Kenyans, our partners have been effected. We stand with and pray for them and all Kenyan people. We implore both sides to end the violence and seek a viable and equitable solution to the crisis.

We are encouraged to hear that many of our partners have given shelter and aid to people who are suffering through this difficult time, regardless of their tribe or affiliation. As peoples are displaced, the need for clean water can become even more acute. So, our support of them continues.

We hope to hear news of peace and reconciliation soon.

Nzatani Update

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Chasse) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 15:33:00 +0000

The water project tank at Nzatani is now complete! This picture was taken as the last coat of concrete was applied. After the concrete cures, the tank will be painted. The final step in the water project will be to attach gutters and pipes to the adjoining building to catch rainfall and fill the tank.

All work is expected to be complete by the "short rains" season of late November-December. The village of Nzatani, like Makivenzi below, will soon be celebrating access to clean water. We hope to have a set of photos and a report from the field by Christmas showing the fully functional system.

Thanks again to all of you who sponsored this water project. As you give thanks today (or everyday) remember to be thankful for what we were able to accomplish together and in partnership with the community of Nzatani.

Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Chasse) — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 01:03:00 +0000

As I sit here, the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving (here in the US), I am reminded again that we live in luxury. There's really no other way to describe it. We have far more than we need.

This yearly ritual we all take part of in one way or another is part of our rhythm of life. Each year we anticipate another grand kick-off to a season of over consumption. But because it's so expected and so normal, we've lost sight of why it was celebrated in the first place.

Thanksgiving was thanksgiving, way back when, because it wasn't normal. Abundance, even for the Pilgrims with wealthy roots, was not the norm in the New World. They gave thanks in recognition of the fact that having all they needed to survive the day was a notable event.

When, along the way, did eating too much and lounging around bloated and exhausted become how one "gives thanks"? And if you're wondering, it's not just an American "tradition" either. We celebrated in the same way with our good friends in Canada (though a bit earlier in the year). I over heard a Vietnamese woman, a couple of seats down, explain their very similar tradition as I sat for my hair cut (so I'd look decent for the relatives).

To be completly honest though, I hadn't given any of this much thought at all until I opened my e-mail tonight.

I just got an update from the Makivenzi Girls school water project in Kenya. They are truly giving thanks this evening. The water tank sponsored by donors of TheWaterProject.org is now complete and full of water! The girls at the school have gone from living on a daily ration of less than 5 liters of water a day to having unrestricted access to clean drinkable water. These young women, perhaps for the first time in their lives, have a taste of what you and I live with every day...abundance.

It is so difficult to maintain perspective living here. We are surrounded and have grown to expect an abundance of everything. One of the most serious medical issues facing our local population is over indulgence. If you're reading this, you likely have more than you need to survive each day.

So what! What's the point of yet another long-winded guilt-filled rant about how we all have too much..blah...blah...blah. What's the point?

None more I suppose than to inspire a handful of us to pause for a moment and think what it might be like if we changed how we live...not so we could lose weight, or save for a bigger TV, but for the sole purpose of helping someone we've never met.

What would it look like if I, me, started taking stock of what I consume (and buy and save for)? What if I gave thanks every day by taking the "extra" in my life and giving it to someone just trying to survive? What if I did it, not to cover over some guilt, but instead because I truly believed part of my life's "purpose" was to re-distribute the wealth I have either earned or fallen into?

What if I gave thanks each year, as I enjoyed my turkey, for what I was able to give away rather than what I have?

What if I were to regain perspective long enough to act?

Not Thinking Too Deep

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Chasse) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 13:57:00 +0000

When people realize how difficult it is to access clean water in places like Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi and other sub-Saharan African countries, they often ask how to help. Many immediately look to the solution we understand best in our own part of the world...water wells.

Digging a well in the U.S. or other developed nation is the most obvious and cost effective way to gain access to clean water. The technology is well developed and there are many companies who compete to keep prices down. In countries like Kenya, however, the cost to dig a well is often very, very high. And in many cases a well is NOT the best solution.

Why we shouldn't think "too deep":

Water can be more than 100 feet deep in many places, requiring powered mechanical pumps. If there's no water, there is likely no electricity or fuel to power these kinds of pumps.
Maintenance of well equipment is costly and most often not available. If the well pump breaks, water can no longer be accessed.
For the cost of one well and pump setup, you may be able to construct up to three water collection systems in other communities, benefiting far more people.
In remote communities, there is simply no way to get in with proper equipment to do the job in the first place.

So, what are the alternatives?

Partners in India who are addressing the same water access issues have found that using check dams (simple systems that catch seasonal rain in reservoirs) is a very cost effective and elegant solution.

These folks have found that the small ponds and lakes created by the dams function in an unexpected way. Most assumed local people would draw water directly from the "pool" and then filter and disinfect that water. Instead, these dams have actually raised the surrounding water table enough to allow the digging of hand-dug shallow wells. This pre-filtered water ends up being a better fit for their needs. Crops also grow in the now fertile soil surround the man made water source.

Sometimes is pays to be shallow!

Running Water

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Chasse) — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 16:56:00 +0000

Hard to believe we've been at this for such a short time and already accomplished so much...

To date, we've raised over $20,000 to bring access to clean water to villages in Kenya. Construction has begun at our site in Nzatani and we'll be receiving word soon on the impact it is making.

Since we began our efforts to raise money by asking people to give up bottled water, we have seen the whole culture of bottled water begin to change. Many have woken up to the waste that it truly is. If we could now get those dollars that have been "freed up" to be re-directed to relief efforts in Africa, we could see a world changing impact.

Over the next months this blog and TheWaterProject.org will be updated daily as our work kicks into high gear. It is looking to be a very exciting Fall as we expand our network of support to bring clean water to Kenya!

Why Bottled Water?

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Chasse) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 14:14:00 +0000

Someone asked one of our team members recently if we are "boycotting" bottled water. And the answer is no.

A boycott usually takes place against a company who itself has perpetrated some wrong. To protest their practices, one stops buying its products. That's not the issue with bottled water. Other than the waste they produce, we have no specific gripe with the bottled water companies themselves.

We recognize that bottled water has some limited usefulness. It is certainly needed in countries with limited urban access to clean water, such as Mexico. It is useful in disasters. But we believe for the vast majority, it is simply over-consumed.

The water available in our taps is clean and safe. That's far, far better than the situation of 1.1 billion people with no clean water. Therefore, because our tap water is 100% useful and safe for the purpose we need it, our drinking of bottled water is a choice of luxury.

So, we're not asking folks to boycott bottled water. We are asking them to make a wiser and more socially responsible choice in how they spend their money. We are not asking folks to simply "give up" the bottle either. We are specifically asking them to re-allocate the money they used to spend on it to donate to a charity such as TheWaterProject.org.

Our choices do matter. If it doesn't begin with us, it will never begin.

Read more at the site...

Getting the word out

noreply@blogger.com (Peter Chasse) — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:50:00 +0000

It is perhaps the most important part of affecting real change in our world. Telling others about the issues and challenges that so many face is not easy in a world that seems to saturate us with our own selfish, perceived needs.

How do you tell millions of people about the reality of water scarcity, the lack of access to clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation that effects 2.2 billion people in the world. How do you help them understand that the water crisis is often the most fundamental problem facing a developing nation and the people within? How do you make it so unquestionably clear that WE can actually make a huge difference if we all just did a little bit?

We have started with TheWaterProject.org

Learning first hand from individuals who have lived in communities in Kenya where water, as unhealthy as it is, is over 7km from a village, we're acting. We have heard the passionate plea, that convinces one that solutions to so many of the humanitarian crisis facing that part of the world, begin with access to clean water. We are responding.

We are just individuals, thirty of so of us. But, we are passionate. We know the solution must begin with a few, and indeed it has in varied places around the world and web. We are joining this story of bringing hope to others. Won't you join us too?

Give a little to help us build the first of many water projects. Give a lot and make a lasting difference in the lives of hundreds of people without access to water. Even $10 can bring water to one person for up to 25 years!!

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