February, 2010 Archive

I got this today from an elementary school who have been raising funds.  I can’t tell you how moved I am by the schools who are getting involved.  This is one of many but the story rings true.

Dear Water Is Life,

I have been blessed to be a part of a story that I must share with you. I am a counselor at an at-risk elementary school in Bethany, OK.  When our school heard of the earthquake in Haiti, we wanted to help.  We decided to have a coin drive to raise money to help bring clean water to the people of Haiti through Water is Life.

What a wonderful opportunity this was for our students to help people of the world in deep need and what an occasion to allow our students to be the world citizens that we encourage them to be.  I wish you could have seen the proud faces of children coming to make their contribution of pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters “Chink, chink” in the “Help for Haiti” bucket.  What a joy!

Overall, approximately 3,500 pennies plus other coins and cash were donated with small, caring hands which came to a grand total of $144.25.  I truly believe that every penny counts.

Thank you for letting us be a part.

Blessings,

Mary Sprinkle

Apollo Elementary-Bethany, Oklahoma

*I have also attached some pictures of one of our 5th grade classes who were very helpful and excited about helping the people of Haiti.*

Apollo Elementary-Bethany, Oklahoma

Apollo Elementary-Bethany, Oklahoma

Haiti by Air

Spectacular and life-saving news!  WaterIsLife.com is sending over 6500 filters to Port Au Prince, Haiti!  Thank you to the thousands of donors that are helping to bring clean water to those in need.  So many organizations, schools, churches and business have worked together to raise the funds so that others may have clean water today!

We know that by rapidly getting the www.WaterIsLife.com water filters into the hands of thousands in need, we can drastically help the area, and provide them with clean life-saving water until internal infrastructure and pumps can be repaired.  Prior to the earthquake, clean water was a huge issue for many Haitians, and with the aftermath just about to begin, the lack of clean water will become life-threatening to all there.

Please continue to support www.WaterIsLife.com Water for Haiti and visit http://waterislife.com/donate/ to fund a water filter for a Haitian child in need of clean water today.

Haitian child

Over 100 WaterIsLife.com water filters were distributed last week in the Village of Kurivohoyili, in the Tolon Kumbungo District in Northern Ghana.

These are the Dagomba people and they speak Dagbani language.  The chief of the village is Chief Braima Napari, and the Woman Leader we visited with is Alima Iddrisu.

Alima IddrisuKurivoho Elder

 There is no school in the village, but approx. 30 of the 150 children attend a neighboring village school. This village accesses water from a damed area, and the women and children haul water 3x-6x per day.  The water is contaminated due to cattle and other animals sharing the water source.  

The village is excited to receive additional filters, and we are working to help create long-term clean water solutions, as well as provide health and hygiene assistance to Kurivohoyili.

All of the filters delivered had personal messages written on them.  Below are photos of filters donated by the Hayslett and Simmons families.  Each family composed a simple message on the filters, and they were hand delivered to children in this village.  It’s fantastic to know that your donations are in action and saving lives today!

KurivohoyiliFilter from Hayslett Family
Filter From Simmons Family

Tolon Yipe LIgu Village - Northern GhanaLovin His Job!And Lovin the Kids!

Many days of travel, 13 hour bus rides, smiles, joy, 16 gifts of gratitude from Village Chiefs, two marriage proposals and a wicked case of African Diarrhea – mission accomplished!  

Gifts of gratitude - ChickensCasava RootPair of Roosters - Tolon Yipe Ligu

 

Kristine with Iddrisu and friend enjoying FufuIf you love what you do it's not work!

It’s not work when you love what you do!

Team Ghana returned with research and information on how you can help these 230+ villages in desperate need of clean water. If you are interested in helping to provide clean water to one of these villages visit:   http://www.waterislife.com/donate/  

Or if you are interested in joining us on a water filter distribution trip to Ghana – or other areas in need around the world visit:  http://waterislife.com/book-a-trip/ 

 

Tolon Kumbungu DistrictField Prep

WaterIsLife.com field team visited Ghana to research 230 villages in need of clean water in the Tolon Kumbungu District of Northern Ghana.  Organized by Iddrisu Abdul-Aziz Boare (below left), WaterIsLife.com Program Coordinator-Ghana, the team was warmly greeted by the District Chief Iddi Manza, and his staff.  The Tolon Kumbungu District offers primary schools, two secondary schools, a police station, clinic and maternal health clinic.  The team visited eight villages to learn of their water needs, and how WaterIsLife.com could make an impact to transform these communities in the Northern District.

Iddrisu, Kristine and Mr. Lansah

With additional help from Abdulai Lansah (above R), District Guinea Worm Coordinator, and many others,  the village visits were extremely successful in capturing data and information on the areas water crisis, and how WIL can provide assistance.

Chief of Tolon Yipe Ligu VillageChief Ibraham Nbewaya - Tali Zoo Lanyili Village
Santu Paringini - Namdu Village

The team was able to meet with each village Chief, their Elders, as well as spend time with the community women leaders. In each village time was spent time at the water sources, understanding the water needs, discussing long term solutions and health and hygiene concerns.

WaterIslife.com will partner with many to supply personal water filters, help provide a long-term clean water solution and share health and hygiene support to each of these villages.  Once these basic needs are met, children can go to school, lead healthier lives – which will ultimately these transform communities.

Thank you to District Chief, Iddi-Manza, the District Director and their staff for their gracious welcome, and we look forward to working closely to help many villages obtain clean water and raise healthy children.

Chief Iddi-ManzaDistrict Staff

 

You are not going to believe this…Two home builders in Edmond, OK have offered to help with Haiti by donating the profits from the sell of three homes that they have completed.  Antonio Aparicio and Brent Wilson are local builders with an excellent flair for making a beautiful home.  If you are in the market for a new home and want to help with Haiti at the same time, maybe one of these homes is for you.  Below are pics and links with virtual tours.

If you are interested, please contact:  Melanie Chesser 405-330-2626

2051 Vaquero: 2051 Vaquero exterior

1956 Rivanna Way: 1956 Rivanna Way exterior

2007 Rivanna Way: 2007 Rivanna Way - exterior