Keep it clean please. There are children around!

Today is World Water Day!

A few facts courtesy of  The Adventure Project :

• 1 in 8 people don't have access to clean water
• 4,000 children die every day from lack of clean drinking water
• Tragically, 1/3 of all wells drilled in the last 20 years are now broken

Our well is no exception.

We aren't a development organization, we're a human rights agency, but this tank was built to provide clean, safe water to a village that is home to over 80 of our clients. The project was funded by a grant from Intel in cooperation with The Remnant Enviro Engineers (TREE), a local NGO. The tank was only filled once, by running an electric pump which drew water from the well we built 300 meters down the hill.   Since that day it has remained completely dry because there is not enough electricity to power the pump.

So villager women have to walk 1.5 km every day to fetch water, even though they technically have a well, a pump and a tank.

We go off in search of the well. Neenu leading the way.  

We happened upon this stream about 200 meters from the village, but the water is contaminated and villagers have to walk upstream much futher before the water is safe. (And still only safe after they boil it.)

The well! Just kidding. This hole houses something other than water, and I don't want to meet it's inhabitant.

This is the well. No, really, it's there...and completely overgrown. ::blush::

The aforementioned DFO (See: "One Aftercare Safari") sent two of his officers with us to decide how their department can help.  Here one officer discusses the exposed piping and seemed very motivated, saying: "If she came all the way from the US to  help these people, we can certainly do this small thing for them." Wow!

An enterprising villager had cut and sold a vital electrical wire, rendering the electical box above a mere sculpture. So what can be done? After the site visit, we made a stop at the electricity office. We had filed a petition seven months back and hadn't heard an update since. Now, with the support of the DFO, they promised to supply sufficient power for the project within 30 days. That was yesterday. Today they called saying they would raise the voltage by next week! (Double wow!)

The villagers are skilled rock breakers (some of their handiwork above), and we will be able to employ them to deepen and widen the well so it can supply enough water to irrigate their land for farming. We also plan to train villagers to maintain the equipment and the value of guarding against theft.

Our little well is on it's way to a second life, but may wells around India lie broken, without skilled mechanics to repair them.

The Adventure Project: has vowed to address this issue. Instead of drilling more wells, they’re using  charitable gifts for something revolutionary – to train and employ handpump mechanics. The mechanics earn an income, bringing themselves out of poverty, and they save lives – turning clean water back on for thousands of people each year.

Their goal is to raise $10,000 in one day: World Water Day. Please consider donating $20 to The Adventure Project to help restore clean and safe sources of water for the people of India. You can do so HERE.

 

Coming next: The latest trend in local fashion: accessorizing your sari with a hard hat. So hot.