submitted by Gail Smith
We are excited to announce that the first well rehabilitation has finally been completed for the PFOA Water Crisis: Paying it Forward Campaign (Ugandan Water Project #302). [private]Officials of the Ugandan Water Project have written us to say, “Our installation crew recently visited to repair the borehole that you funded with the PFOA Campaign. Your sponsorship has provided clean, safe water to the Kiggo community in Mwererwe, Uganda. For the 300 people of this community, your support has imparted an invaluable resource and basic need that helps restore health and quality of life.”
Borehole wells are the most common method of water delivery in Africa and are the primary drinking source for millions of people there; however, 30% of those in Sub-Saharan Africa are broken at any given time. This well in Kiggo had been unusable for 1 to 2 years because of broken pipes and rods, but through generous donations by many of you, villagers no longer have to walk miles a day to obtain water laden with micro-organisms. Clean drinking water can be pumped right in their backyard.
Before a site is selected for a well rehab, the UWP team works with community leaders to develop a strong buy-in for the maintenance and ownership process so the well doesn’t fall into disrepair again.
I would like to thank all of those who have made donations since the campaign kicked off last year. Almost half of the funds required to meet our revised goal of $6,000, to rehab 3 wells, has been raised.
The water crisis in Hoosick Falls has helped some who have been affected better understand the plight of those in 3rd world countries who don’t have access to potable water. One of the differences between our situation and theirs is that we have had many governmental agencies helping us work through our crisis. These communities have no one except humanitarian organizations like the Uganda Water Project who rely on donations from people like you and me to support them.
If you or a group, organization, school or church you belong to, would like to help pay it forward, you can send your tax-deductible contributions directly to Ugandan Water Project, 2648 Rabbit Run, Bloomfield NY 14469. Be sure to make a notation of “PFOA Water Crisis: Paying it Forward.”
Any questions on the PFOA Water Crisis: Paying it Forward campaign can be directed to Gail Smith at 518-686-9888. [/private]