2012 Archive

“There is incredible potential in the relationship we have developed between the Kpaachi Yili School in Northern Ghana and The Odyssey Preparatory Academy in Arizona. I feel blessed to bridge the gap and provide education and resources to teachers and scholars on both ends of the spectrum. I can already see the passion and drive in my students in Arizona to contribute to the basic needs of children just like them on the other side of the world. I look forward to furthering the partnership and using the inspiration of WATERisLIFE as as a catalyst for positive change.”

Ghana Field Notes- Jessica Lusin   2012

ZALI

The church service we attended and Zali Village Meeting place with music and dancing was incredibly powerful. I was astounded by the solid sense of community in Zali. Everyone has a position, a place within the structure. Even with the children there is a hierarchy of privileges, as well as responsibilities. I was very impressed with how willing they were to help their siblings figure out the WATERisLIFE filter straw. After a long and incredibly patient wait, the children were given their WATERisLIFE straws. Many of them were engaged as the filter use was demonstrated, however immediately after having a straw placed around their neck a few kids got cups of water from a bucket and started drinking from the cup. I was shocked, I mean jaw dropping shocked and felt like I took it way too personally, but felt compelled  to walk to the child and show them how to drink the H2O through the straw.

 The domino effect ensued. Through their beauty, innocence, intuition, and positive spirit children never cease to amaze me. It gave me some peace in my heart to know these children would help each other. They gained a new tool and were willing to use it. It’s not a long term fix, it may not even last them long enough to make a substantial difference, but they are further educated and have clean water today and for up to one year. We will not know what they took from it. The deep ceded tradition of the village may not promise change. However, the strength and conviction in these kids gives me hope that what we are doing makes a positive difference. I am very excited for tomorrow.

SONG from Zali Students

Water Is Life

You are welcome

Our mothers they are welcome you

Our fathers they are welcome you

Children, children

They are welcome you

God bless you for starting the program in our community

            This is a song (not the complete lyrics) that was sung by the 4-6 level students in Zali. They had performed it the first day we were in the village, but the 2^nd time they did it in the classroom during our handwashing review.  As they were singing I experienced full body goosebumps. It was an amazing feeling to have them be so attentive and hang on every word we said. The song was beautiful, and although they may not have even understood what they were saying, the fact that they shared it and were appreciative was incredible. There is a look in many of the children I encountered that is hard to put into words. It is as if I can see them completely with just one glance. All the innocence, compassion, and strength can be found in their eyes and bright smiles. They are so happy, yet simple. To me that is pure beauty.

KPAACHI YILI – Relationships

            Authenticity. Integrity. Pure honesty. Positive spirit. True appreciation for life. All of these traits are representative of the Ghanian personality. The social structure is solid. The rules have all been set. Hierarchy established. In a society where cultural values exceed wealth, there is a great weight placed on relationships. We come to these people from the United States offering help. But if we avoid conversation and plow through cultural bounds we destroy our opportunity to develop respect. All of the time consuming procedures and processes that occur in transition like meeting the chief and elders, having a village ceremony, using a translator for educational purposes, chiefs closing remarks, presentation of gifts, etc. All of these things are part of the cultural structure. In order to develop relationships with the people we must embrace and dive into their culture. Our barriers must be down so we can give the Ghanians a chance to open up to us. The first step is the relationship. The next step is water.

            I am honored to be a part of a group that has taken the plunge into the culture and lives of beautiful, faithful people. To be recognized as someone who is responsible for helping provide a community with clean water gives me a sense of inner strength I cannot describe. In this short week I have witnessed the development of strong relationships. These are not just business relationships, but personal relationships filled with honesty, integrity, and love. I truly believe I was brought to Ghana for a reason much larger than myself. I can only hope to emulate the Ghanian cultural personality. Recognizing positive spirit and authenticity is where I will start.

St. Charles Borromeo School students,  as part of catholic Schools Week, collected funds to send WATERisLIFE filters to Kenya!  “We have been doing sustainability labs and exercises to develop not only the science behind clean water, but to develop a personal awareness of their responsibility as stewards of our global environment.”  says Michelle Caluda from St. Charles.  ”Our  8^th grade students delivered very cool WATERisLIFE collection bins to every classroom- PK3 – 8^th grade to raise the funds. The students have chosen for their WiL filters to go to students in Kenya.” 

Great way to make an impact kids – you ARE making a difference in the lives of other students in Kenya.  We will post photos once your filters are delivered to school children in Kisumu, Kenya!  As they say in Kenya, Asante Sana - thank you.

The 8th Graders presented to the Early Childhood classes – what a great way to share knowledge, and spread the word about the need for clean water

At WATERisLIFE we offer the opportunity to partner with your own village -we can connect you with one of 288 villages in Northern Ghana, 18 schools in Kenya and one of 33 villages and schools/churches in Haiti.  Partnership equals relationships and this is how long term clean water can be brought to the villages to help transform lives.  WATERisLIFE can give you the opportunity to provide the following to your village – to bring them clean safe drinking water;

1.  WATERisLIFE personal water filters

2.  Health and Hygiene Education programs

3.  Long term clean water solution

4.  Monitoring system to maintain clean water in your village.

A WATERisLIFE team was in Ghana this past week and connected two US partners with villages in the Tolon District.  WiL presented the partners to the Village Chiefs – what an opportunity to connect with your own village and see your donation dollars in action and build a relationship that will transform lives – theirs and yours!  Please read the Chief of Zali’s Speech which he presented in Dagabani, and is translated below.  Once you meet the Chief of your partner village – and discuss how to bring clean water solutions to his people – it will be forever etched in your heart.

“What an incredible experience to visit our adopted village in Ghana!  Partnering with the people of Zali to bring water straws and work together on a sustainable solution was life-changing for all of us.  To see 1000 people dancing and celebrating our arrival is a moment I will never forget.” – Pastor Nate Schaus, Summit Community Church

The Chief’s Speech

Mr. Chairman, representative from the District Assembly, friends from the USA, invited guests, ladies and gentleman.  I find it a pleasant Sunday to stand before you to present on behalf of all Chiefs and Elders of Zali and it’s surrounding communities.

In the first place, I want to thank God for making this day possible.  Chiefs, as the saying goes that WATERisLIFE which we can all agree with because all living things depend on water for their daily lives.   I can also say that Zali is one of the blessing communities because ther are many regions, towns and communities but becuase of God’s caring, he chose Zali for this particular gathering and by the power and sympathy of God, we will get the water from the hands of the WATERisLIFE project.

Mr. Chairman, Sanitation is also one of the areas that the entire community always put their attention on .  This comes to reality because when we keep our homes and surroundings clean it will prevent us from contracting some diseases like cholera and others.

Mr. Chairman, the Chief’s, Elders and the entire community have prepared enough to work hard with the project to get safe drinking water for the good people of Zali.  This is because women travel long distance to fetch water which is sometimes contaminated by animals.

Chiefs, we can all testify that unsafe water is very dangerous to human health.  So when we get clean and safe water it will save the lives of the people of Zali and it’s surrounding communites both near and far.  Therefore, it is my hope and prayer that God will guide us to get this water since God is the owner of everything in the universe.

In sum, Mr. Chairman, whatever it will take us with this project to get water, we are in support of that.  I want to also appeal to the District Assembly to also assist us and the project whatever we are in need of to make this dream a reality.  So, I say God richly bless you for coming here and be with us all “Ni yi tuma pam,” “Naawuni ni son”

Our sincere gratitude to our partner FIELD NOTES, who help our WATERisLIFE Teams bring back stories from the field. Check out these cool FIELD NOTES for many uses in your world.   http://www.fieldnotesbrand.com.

WiL Ghana Team will be returning to US soon.  The trip was exceptionally productive and  highly successful.  All team members stayed healthy, enjoyed time in their partner villages – building relationships and bringing clean water to many in need.    Team members will not forget the many magical moments with new friends as they enhanced many lives of other human beings this past 10 days. Their contributions have truly enhanced someone else’s life and their gift has made those in Ghana so very happy.  Although the team’s kindness was a great gift to many – the team would agree that the gift those in Ghana gave back was far greater.  The team delivered true evidence that they have made a difference in the world.  It’s only the beginning…

After days in the field the WiL team reflects on some of the key highlights of their work.  Each team member was give a small book – FIELD NOTES compliments of www.fieldnotesbrand.com to write stories, highlights and work notes.  Congrats to Jess Lusin from Odyssey Preparatory Academy for turning her FIELD NOTES in first!

- The partnership between Zali Village and Summit Church brought the opportunity to distribute 1000 filters, host hygiene clinics in the community of 1000, in each classroom and for a group of Mommas and children in need of guidance.  Time with the Chief and Elders was priceless – and realtionships have blossomed.  Summit Commuity Church was welcomed back anytime to stay in the village and work side by side with them – they are family.  Summit will work to return and rebuild the fencing around the water dugout – to keep the animals from contaminating their water source. This will be the  one of the steps in the solution.

- Odyssey Preparatory Academy has partnered wtih  Kpaachiyili to help bring 500 filters, host hygiene clinics in each classroom as well as play soccar, learn about their need for books in their library and move forward with the next step to clean water solution.

Both villages have been set up with Community Water Solutions Systems – where women in the village manage the clean water process and distribution.  A fantastic water solution to supply clean water at a very small cost – while also creating a small business for the local woman

- Meetings to develop WiL partnerships with Tamale Rotary, Pure Home Water Systems, Community Water Solutions, King’s Village, District Assembly and Chief sessions,  Geologist Timothy Boare Geological Round Table, as well as strategic meetings to discuss the value of partnership with each village – 290 – in the Tolon an Kumbungu Districts.  With partnership – comunities in the US have the opportunity to support their village with WiL filters, hygiene classes in collaboration with the District WASH program, long term water solutions with local organizations as well as opportunity to create and build lasting relationships with a community in such need of a basic need -clean water.  Please check out photos www.facebook.com/joinwaterislife

Thursday morning the team  started a bit slow after an evening of fun, and enjoyed breakfast and time at the local markets.  The goal of the morning was to open the first WATERisLIFE Ghana office – post office box, banking account and necessities to support the Ghana Projects in the coming months.  The WiL team in Ghana is growing, and looking forward to partnerships and strategic plans for the coming three years.

The team dressed in their best Ghana wear  and visited the District Executive Chief for a meeting to discuss WiL plans forward.  The Chief offered the District Assembly’s full support and offered WiL the opportunity to stay in the villages on our next visit.  This is truly an honor, and reflects the support and trust for both parties.  The team also met with Mr. Lahnser and the District Health Director, and again was given full support of their team and resources to help develop programs and partnerships to bring clean water to the area.

We had dinner at SWAD with the Federwitz Family, and enjoyed goat, rice, yam fries and local flavor.  Hannah, Levi and Eden left a beautiful mark on the team’s hearts, as they are little ones of the Federwitz family and their laughter and sparkle was contagious.

Wed team chose to give up R&R day to visit villages of Zali and Kpaachi Yili again.  Team walked damaged and broken fence lines to access the repair costs and work.  One of the water dugout fences had been installed 35 years ago and was broken, torn down and grown over with grass.  The team will work with village partners to rebuild the fence to keep the cattle and animals from going into the only village water source.  The Hygiene team also visited each classroom in the two villages to reinforce the importance of filter use and basic hygiene, and a team gathered village woman and children to teach about Diarrhea prevention and ORS.  Such beautiful women who care deeply about their families health – but just need the tools to move the commuity forward.

In the evening – the WiL team presented at the Tamale Rotary Meeting.  Pastor Nate Schaus – White Tanks Rotary, presented a Rotary Flag and we presented the WiL Vision for Partnership on projects in the Tolon and Kumbungu Districts in Northern Ghana.  The meeting was a wonderful representation of partnership and collaboration to create successful and long term programs to support WASH initatiatives and support clean water programs currently in effect in the area.  After a long day, the team enjoyed a few Star Beers and laughter at the Catholic Guest House and told stories of the week into the wee hours

Team spent two 3 days in villages, also had opportunity to visit the King’s Village Facility which provides a school, orphanage  nutrition center, medical center, church and community support to surrounding villages in Kumbungu District.  Many thanks to Iddrisu WiL Program Coordinator, and those that were such wonderful hosts at King’s Village.  It was great to meet The Director, Moses, Terry and Ann – and WiL looks forward to a partnership and return trip to support villages in such dire need of clean water – Gbali and Tollogu.  The team also particpated in a tour and program overview at the Pure Home Water Factory.  PHW is working on a contract to manufacture 1000 ceramic pot filters for Tamale Rotary.  Thank you to Mary Kay Jackson and Susan Murcott – from MIT for their time and willingness to share their passion and a wonderful look into a business that is improving the lives of those needing clean water.  Had dinner at the African Touch Restaurant – even if Taxi’s don’t always work – we can manage.

By Chuck Cline

Having a great time in Ghana.  Here with a fantastic and hilarious team!  It is well said that God has a plan for you.  But the thing is, you are God’s plan.  This is the reason I go to serve.  

We have already distributed over 1500 WiL filters in just two days – along with Hygiene Training Clinics,  and we have visited villages that were in desperate need of immediate clean water.  It’s His plan in action…I am most sure.

On Monday the WiL Team traveled to the villages of Kurivohoyili and Kpaachiyili.  Enroute, the team stopped to deliver fabric to a street seamstresses to sew into a stunning Ghana style dress - the dress  was completed by the end of the day.  The fabric was a gift from the District Executive Chief on our last visit to the Tolon Kumbungu District.   The ladies  on the team will deliver more fabric tomorrow  to these talented seamstresses, and we promise to post photos of the finish products on www.facebook.com/joinwaterislife .

After viewing the turbid water in the dugout in Kurivohoyili- we were met by a member of the Community Water Solutions NGO organization where we were able to learn abouth their work to create a water filter program managed by women in the village.  This system provides clean water for sale for a small amount of pesewas each day.  We have discussed a partnership with CWS as the WiL Water Filter will provide a fantastic compliment to their program, specifically for children in the Northern District in Ghana, as this area is one of the most impoverished areas and most in need of clean water in the world.

Once in the village of Kapaachiyil, the team met with the Chief and Elders and the WiL village partner – Odyssey Preparatory Academy representative Jessica , who was presented Koa nuts – a nut that has a high caffeine/energy content and is of high value.  She also was given 2 Roosters and bundles of yams – which is customary to show gratitude. A true honor as the village is so grateful for her leadership and help from the school’s students to work to bring clean water to them.  Jessica also received a marriage proposal from the Chief!  Once Jessica presented the Chief with a WiL water filter – he was so elated that he waived for the drummers and jumped up for joy and began dancing.  He invited Jessica to dance with him.  Now you must also know, this man is very old and getting up and dancing was not anything that we had expected.

The team walked to the school and another ceremony was awaiting.  Once all introductions were completed, and speeches ended, the school students performed a 10 minute drama presentation on Water and  Sanitation – the students really understand the importance of clean water and expressed their sincere interest in making the change.  Jessica and the Hygiene Team hosted training for students at the school - and the students were mesmerized.  Jessica also spent extensive time discussing with the Headmaster the needs of the children and the importance of clean water for his students.  It was an exhilerating day of bringing filters to the village of Kpaachiyili – a day the village had been waiting and anticipating for many months.  500 filters were distributed as a gift from Odyssey Preparatory Academy - and each student and child in the village received one.  Filters are the first step to long term clean water for this village, and the WiL Water Projects team surveyed the water situation and will be providing direction for a sustainable solution for this area.

The excitement continued into the afternoon - which was filled with an friendly discussion and a traditional meal with WiL Program Coordinator Iddrisu Aziz Boare’s family.  We talked and shared stories for quite a long time – a great chance to get to know his family and community.  Traditional FuFu, along with Rice and Beef was prepared by Iddrisu’s 12 year old sister, Fati. Dignitaries from the community joined our meal - with a total of nearly 25 enjoying each other’s company over a wonderful authentic meal.  Reminder FuFu and all must be eaten with your fingers on your RIGHT hand!  Time to sign off – Mosque’s are screaming prayer time as it is dusk.  Must respect….

More from the Village of Zali tomorrow – and a summary of our day of meetings with two WiL partner organizations that do work here in Ghana that will inspire and amaze.

While in the Village of Kpaachi Yili

Aplogies to all – this is our first chance to access connection to intenet  as our team has been non stop since arrival to Tamale on Saturday morning with our work in the villages.  While in the airport in Tamale, I recognized a gentleman in the crowd.  He was the Tolon Kumbungu District Executive Chief Iddi Manza. I approached him and introduced myself – he recognized me and confirmed that we were to meet that afternoon.  We had met on our last visit to Tamale.  What a surprise to run in to him and visit – as he was on the same flight as our team.  I showed him our photo together on the ipad and we had a good laugh.  It was a great start to our trip.  After 11 WiL team members arrived in Tamale, Ghana, we connected with our Ghana Program Coordinator, Iddrisu Aziz  Boare.  Our team is now twelve.  After arrival we moved full steam ahead.  Saturday was spent collecting supplies and materials as well as District welcomes and time on cultural and informational meetings. Sunday was an overwhelming, inspiring and touching day.  The team delivered 1000 filters to the village in Zali where we were welcomed first by the Chief’s ceremony and then dancing and celebration.  It was truly a party like no other.  The smiles on the faces of the villagers shone brighter than the sun. The team held a health and hygiene training clinic to over 1000 villagers.  From germs to poop, clean water and diarrhea to a community game of hangman – many things were learned by both the villagers and the team.  The team was presented gifts from the Chief and villagers – 3 Guinea Fowl, eggs, 3 bunches of yams and a goat.  Truly,  how does one fit all of this into a 15 passenger van – already carrying 20 passengers  – it’s the African way.  The WiL team also met with Community Water Solutions Organization, and Tamale Rotary to discuss partnerships to bring clean water to the 270  villages in the Tolon Kumbungu District.  One of our amazing moments was when we were invited to sit with the Head Chief of all Chiefs (I am sure that is not his official title.)  We were invited into his Palace where we discussed with he and his Elders the future vision of WATERisLIFE in his area.  We were presented with Koa nuts – a great cultural moment for the team – and a time of respect, listening and partnership discussions.   We also had the distinct honor to host a Geological Round Table with the Deputy Regional Director to discuss the geology of the Voltain Region of Northern Region.   All of this in one simple day – the team hit pillows late into the evening with colorful memories from a day of appreciation, hope and opportunity to make an impact in an area in such need.  Time running out on computer we will post more later….20 seconds..19..18..17