Clean Water Project

As I mentioned before in this post, our international school just had its annual Week Without Walls.  The students (preschool to grade 12) were divided into different groups, each one going out into the community to do one thing...serve.  Groups participated in projects such as washing motorbikes (preschoolers), baking, visiting local schools, creating a soup kitchen, and more.

 

The staff were also divided into various groups, and Jason was part of a group participating in a clean water project.  A community downtown was identified.  They are a group of 37 people living along a dirty "river" that is basically just filthy water flowing through the city.  Their homes are tiny shacks, built two high, that sit along a 3 foot path next to the "river." When Jason and one of the other team leaders first visited the area, the community had no running water.  No toilets, no showers, no faucets.  Nothing.  There was the "river" and some other random places for them to get water.

 

The original plan was for the team to pipe in water, but after talking with the community and some other people, they learned that for around $300 US, the city would pipe them in clean, running water.  The money was donated and the work was done.

 

 

So, the team took on some other projects.  They teamed up with another group who create and sell water filters (this is the same group I did some graphic design work last year for when they were creating a dental educational program).  These water filters allow people to use regular tap water and then after being filtered, it is drinkable.  For most people here, us included, drinking water has to be purchased.  The tap water is fine for bathing and washing clothes, but not for drinking.  These ceramic water filters allow people to clean tap water at home, saving them a lot of money.

 

The team also took on the project of building a bridge for the community.  The homes sit next to about 3 feet of rocky pavement that runs along the "river." There is one small spot on the other side of the "river" where the people can stand, hang laundry, etc.  Up to this point, if they had to cross, they just walked through it.  The team spent a day constructing a great bridge for them to use.

 

 

On the final day, I had the privilege of getting to go into the community with the team.  I had no idea how SMALL the area was, and so in order to stay out of the way, I spent most of the morning sitting on the steps of one of the homes.  There was literally no where else to go.  But from my vantage point, I got to see the team at work and the community being blessed.

 

The students started the morning by performing a skit about the woman at the well (John 4).  No set or props needed!

 

Next, the team brought in the boxes and bags of gifts that they had collected for the community.  The kids were blessed with clothes and toys, and the adults received clothes and toiletries.

 

After the gifts were distributed, the community carefully walked to their homes to put stuff away.

The next project for the morning was to construct a bathing/shower stall for the people.  The idea was to create a place where the people could bathe with some privacy. Jason told me that while the men in the community didn't really see the need, the women were very grateful.

They also bought and taught the people to use a hose/sprayer that could be attached to one of the two faucets that have running water.

 

 

The final part of the morning was when another one of the school groups came in to serve lunch.  They set up in one of the homes and then dished out yummy curry to the people.

The people gathered around their new water source, eating lunch.

 

A quick look into a home...

This is the home where I sat for most of the morning. I estimate that the entire first floor was 4 feet x 6 feet. This picture shows almost the entire width.  There was a second floor above.

 

The view from my seat:

This is inside another home.  This home was used for the education program on how to use the water filters and for setting up the soup kitchen.  At approximately 6x9 on the first floor, I think it was the biggest house they could use for these programs.

 

As I contemplate eating some stuffing left-overs and most of you are currently sleeping off your turkey indulgences, let us remember that in EVERYTHING we are to give thanks.  Not just once a year.  Not just when we have good health.  Not just when we realize we can afford a bigger house.  "Give thanks in everything for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thess. 5:18). Give thanks when you turn on the water to brush your teeth or wash your hands.  Give thanks when you sit down to eat your next meal. Give thanks when you have clothes that fit, places to play, and privacy to enjoy.  And remember, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48).

 

If you want to see more pictures from the day, see the album here: CLEAN WATER PROJECT

Comments

[Abigail]

So good to see this, Janet. It was neat hearing what Jason's group did, but it was even better seeing the pictures. When I write a newsletter to friends and family in the States this weekend, could I include a link to this post or would you like me to just explain what they did with a few pictures? You put it so well and it's good to see all the pictures you took, but if you wouldn't want people you don't know to have access to your blog, I understand. Don't think a ton of people would actually take the time to look up the link, but just wanted to ask. abby

[phillipsfamily]

Thats totally fine, Abigail.  The blog is public anyway.

Janet