January 20th, 2012 Archive

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.