H2O For Life

Walk for Water for World Water Day and Global Youth Service Day

2012-01-29T10:36:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for a great activity to do with your students?

Please join

H2O for Life and "Walk for Water"

If possible, schedule your walk between

March 22- World Water Day, and April 22- Earth Day and Global Youth Service Day.

A Walk for Water is easy to organize and an effective way to raise local community awareness about the global water crisis while raising funds to support a school in a developing country that deperately needs water.

How Can You Get Involved?

Engage Participants! Enlist participation from your classroom, school, group of friends, church, family- get the theme? Any group can organize and participate in a walk for water. The more people that you can gather to join you, the better it will be, but remember: a small group of people can make a difference.
Set the challenge. Can each individual gather a certain amount of donations? $20, $50, maybe $100! Remind them that through H2O for Life, their dollars are matched by the implementing NGO organization, doubling the amount raised.
Choose a school from our partner list:: http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/partnership-information/available-schools/public-schools/ OR you may donate proceeds to a "school in need".
Plan your walk with the help of our walk guide that is available online. You'll find flyers for the event, pledge sheets and a guide that will provide tips for creating an amazing event.
walk guide: http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/resources/curriculum/walk-guidlines/
Pick a date and have a great time while raising funds that will change lives for students in your partner school!
Take photos and write a short story about your event that we will share with our facebook and website followers. We love to publicize success!
Would you like to order t-shirts? We can help you with that. Please contact us at: info@h2oforlifeschools.org We work with a company that will provide affordable t-shirts for your walk.

READ the story about a school that participated in a walk last school year!

http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/2011/06/st-anthony-middle-schoolers-raise-10000-for-h20-for-life/

Can't walk between March 22- April 22? Not to worry! Schedule your walk before the end of the school year, and help a school receive water! Every dollar makes a difference. Be part of the solution!

Make it part of your school year to organize a walk for water every year!

The solution is within our reach, and we CAN make it happen!

Happy New Year! Start out the year with a MLK day outreach with your school

2012-01-09T07:26:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all our H2O for Life friends. We hope you had a restful holiday and are ready to ramp up your school projects. Martin Luther King Day will be celebrated on January 16th. For many school districts, it is no longer a day off, but a DAY ON focusing on service. We have several ideas that you can use to raise awareness in your school and in your community about the water crisis. Also, please visit our friends at ysa.org to learn more about a Semester of Service beginning on MLK day.

Create a WATER DROPLET WALL. I know that we mention the wall idea often, but it is so easy and so effective! Students cut water droplets out of blue paper and go into action, selling each drop for $1.00. (you ,of course, can charge more if you wish) Encourage students to write a message on the drop,or have a message already printed that just requires a signature, such as- everyone needs water! The wall is an impressive visual for students, teachers and parents to see as they enter your school.

We also encourage an initiative called: Tap into Tap Water.
http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/download/_2011/H2O_TapIn_Flyer_LTR.pdf

The flyer will tell you everything you need to know to raise funds through drinking tap water.

It's never too early to begin publicizing your H2O for Life connection. Even if you are not planning to organize an event until spring, these ideas can raise awareness and jump start your project.

If you have other great ideas that have worked for your school please share them with us. We are always looking for ideas that other teachers can use.

Again, Happy New Year, and let's all make it a great one!

Stillwater Junior High Raises the bar!

2011-11-23T11:19:00.000-08:00

Stillwater Junior High School, located in Stillwater, MN recently hosted a terrific event. Students read the book, "They Poured Fire on us From the Sky", and then invited "Lost Boy" speaker John Dau to speak to the community in Stillwater. Over 500 people attended the evening event and learned about the hardships endured by Dau during his relocation from Sudan. Students were amazed at his story. In conjunction with the book, Stillwater Junior High is raising funds to help build 2 wells for South Sudan. They have already raised over $7500 this year, with a goal of $10,000! Teachers and students, along with project lead teacher Sara Damon- we salute you and your efforts!

The video below shares a few commens by students and John Dau.

http://www.kare11.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=1267583311001

2011-11-18T19:15:00.000-08:00

World Toilet Day- 2011

World Toilet Day should be about demanding better work, better results, and more thoughtful programming.
Lend your social networking voice via Twitter or Facebook to raise attention to World Toilet Day.

I wanted to share with you a provocative article that Water For People's CEO, Ned Breslin wrote in response to the usual clamor around World Toilet Day, "More Funding for Sanitation Projects," as is echoed in this article in the Independent. I hope you'll find Ned's response, which was published by AlertNet, thought provoking and informative.

Commitment to Everyone – My Wish for World Toilet Day

By Ned Breslin

This Saturday, November 19, we will celebrate World Toilet Day. The day has been vital to raising awareness about the 2.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to a hygienic toilet.

Not having a toilet is a disgrace and a major health catastrophe, directly contributing to the death of approximately 4,000 children worldwide every day.

Yet coupled with this public health disaster is the growing realization that the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for sanitation is perhaps the most off track MDG target of all.

The MDGs are eight measurable goals to be achieved by 2015 established by the United Nations (U.N.) in 2000 to try and alleviate global poverty.

Massive global sanitation problems combined with the utter failure to even remotely reach MDG targets place the sanitation sector at a crossroads.

I have worked in sanitation for over 20 years, and today was another sad day like too many other sad days I have encountered when focused on sanitation. I spent this morning with Palmiera, a mother who lives in the mountains of Bolivia.

She shows me a small building that is immaculately constructed with brick and cement next to her house. As I come around the corner I see it is a toilet, with a large international NGO (nongovernmental organization) logo, with a smaller foreign aid donor emblem just below, painted on the side to pronounce to the world the NGO and donor’s benevolence and presence.

Entering the toilet, my heart sinks as the latrine is broken – the toilet seat is so dirty that dust flies everywhere as I open it, the water needed to make the toilet work had stopped flowing years ago, and the toilet was now a shed to store the family’s agricultural commodities that will eventually be sold. It’s a toilet in theory only.

Set against this failure at Palmiera’s house – which is hardly unique – is a shallow debate about foreign aid that states simply that billions of people do not have safe sanitation (true) and that the solution is more foreign aid that is better targeted at countries who are most off track in terms of sanitation coverage (questionable at best).

Aid, it is argued, is not only misaligned but most importantly not sufficient to create a world where every family, every school and every clinic has access to a toilet that removes pathogen-rich feces from the immediate environment.

We are losing the battle, it is argued, because governments worldwide are not playing their part, not contributing enough to rid the world of this horror.

Talk to the most thoughtful field practitioners in the sanitation sector and you might be surprised to hear that the math that reads low sanitation coverage + increased foreign aid = more sustainable sanitation access does not really add up.

Why?

Well, we have tried pushing money into sanitation for decades with little effect. Some would even argue that foreign aid for sanitation, which has almost always translated into latrine construction projects despite overwhelming evidence that such approaches do not work, has fundamentally distorted the sanitation market to the detriment of the poorest.

Just ask Palmiera, as foreign aid did not help address her sanitation problem at all. Her toilet was built, it does not work, and Palmiera is no better off as a result of this investment.

My wish for World Toilet Day is consequently somewhat different from all the noise that you will hear on this extremely important day. The noise will focus on raising awareness of the sanitation problem worldwide and pushing people to donate more and more money to eradicate sanitation poverty.

But sanitation agencies do a disservice to the people they work with around the world like Palmiera if the latrines that actually are built do not work or last. They do a disservice to American taxpayers and philanthropists when they take money for transformative work that fails to transform.

And they run the risk of discrediting the entire sanitation movement if World Toilet Day does not demand better work, better results, and more thoughtful programming from those shouting the loudest for more money.

Conventional sanitation aid needs to be radically overhauled and progress monitored over time. New philanthropy understands that the problem is not that we do not have enough money for sanitation aid but rather that the money we actually have is so poorly spent.

Catalytic investments that minimize latrine subsidies and try to create sanitation markets supported by local businesses show great promise without a single dollar of aid being used for latrine construction.

Initiatives like Community-Led Total Sanitation appear to be scaling in some of the poorest parts of the world with significantly less financial requirements than was once considered just and reasonable because these programs tap into local financial resources for solutions rather than relying on conventional aid.

And the creative use of local financial institutions and microfinance continue to show an alternative funding model that does not require on-going foreign aid support.

The sanitation sector needs to change its tone, from demanding more money to demanding to be held accountable for better results from communities in developing countries and donors and philanthropists who want their investments to truly solve the global sanitation crisis.

We need to think differently about the reasons why 2.6 billion people do not have access to sanitation worldwide and have the courage to accept that we, as a sector, have failed far too many people like Palmiera.

World Toilet Day will be a great success if those of us on the frontlines of this sanitation battle commit to a new way of working, with greater transparency and more thoughtfulness, so that the next time Palmiera gets a latrine she has it for life.

Submitted by:
John Sauer

Assistant Director Thought Leadership

Water For People

H2O for Life collaborates with the World Savvy Challenge

2011-10-31T10:24:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for more ways to involve your students in terrific programs? Well, look no farther. H2O for Life is collaborating with the World Savvy Challenge. If your students are already participating in an H2O for Life project, getting involved with World Savvy will be easy. It provides an opportunity for your students to prepare a presentation and show the rest of the country what they have learned. Read more about how to get involved with World Savvy below:

National Online Pilot Program

H2O For Life Schools are invited to participate in the World Savvy Challenge, a project-based learning program that builds students knowledge & skills for global competence.

How it works:

Students work in teams of up to 10 in class or afterschool

Students chose a topic and problem related to the theme of Sustainable Communities and engage in in-depth research on their theme using World Savvy resources as a guide

Students participate in the Savvy Scavenger Hunt to build their knowledge of the theme and awareness of current events

Students develop local, national and global level solutions and develop a knowledge-to-action plan for how they can take action on the issue

Students present their research & solutions in either a website or documentary and submit it online along with their knowledge to action plan to compete for prizes against students from around the country

Competing students also participate in an online action roundtable, where they work with peers from other schools to discuss a related real world problem

Students who score in the top 10% of online entries are eligible to submit their knowledge-to-action plan to the national online finals where they have a chance to win up to $500 to implement their plan over the summer

World Savvy provides teachers with the necessary resources to embed these topics into their existing curriculum, including a program guide book, a World Savvy Monitor on Sustainable Communities, a Sustainable Communities Collaborator’s Guide, bi-weekly resource emails, professional development opportunities, grading rubrics, and student research support.

This is a great chance for H2O for Life students to deepen their knowledge of the connections between water & sustainability and share their research & solutions with a national audience!

Team Registration Deadline: December 15, 2011

Competition entries due March 15, 2012

Register online at http://wsc2012online.eventbrite.com/

Cost: $100 per team of 10 students; $50 for additional teams. Includes all digital materials.

For more information, please contact Taylor Watson at taylor@worldsavvy.org or 415-813-1682.

Stillwater Junior High School Hosts John Bul Dau

2011-10-27T07:36:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night was a busy evening for Stillwater Junior High School. Stillwater is located in Minnesota, and has been an H2O for Life partner for the past 3 years. Teacher, Sara Damon, focuses on Sudan and conflict as one of her teaching modules for AP Geography. The students read the book "They Poured Fire on us From the Sky." They study the conflict in Sudan, and also discuss the mass exodus of the "Lost Boys". As a culminating community activity, John Bul Dau, author of the book, "God Grew Tired of Us" was invited to speak at the Junior High and spend two days in geography classrooms with the students. Over 500 tickets were purchased for the event, and several area non-profits and a local book store also were in attendance.

John is a great story teller, and had the crowd mesmorized as he outlined his life as a youth in Sudan, a refugee, and immigrant to the US, and how he is now giving back to his native country. He used humor, and powerful stories to engage the crowd. Mrs. Damon has developed great curricular ideas that can be used in your classroom, and it can be found in our H2O for Life tool-kit online.

Stillwater Junior High hosted a walk for water, sold t-shirts and hosted this wonderful event to raise over $7500 so far this year wells in Southern Sudan. But they aren't done yet! Their goal this year is to raise $10,000 to sponsor two wells for Southern Sudan. If you would like to help them reach their goal, make a donation online and designate, Stillwater Jr. High as the recipient. OR.... choose a school partner, engage your school and make a difference in the world.

Congratulations Stillwater Junior High School. Your actions are changing the world.

October is Global Handwashing Day/Month!

2011-10-24T17:44:00.000-07:00

Highlighting the “H”: on Global Handwashing Day

Now in its fourth year, Global Handwashing Day brings attention to the often forgotten “H” in WASH, hygiene. When something as simple as handwashing with soap can help reduce diarrhea rates among children under five by almost 50 percent, it is imperative that this simple practice is not overlooked.

About 34 percent of people wash their hands with soap at critical moments – i.e. before handling food and after using the toilet. The key to increasing the practice of handwashing with soap is to promote behavioral change through motivation, information and education.

There are a variety of ways to increase awareness about the importance of handwashing, including high-profile national media campaigns, peer-to-peer education, hygiene lessons for school children and encouraging children to bring home the lessons they have learned at school to their families and communities.

It is never too late to teach children that handwashing is important. H2O for Life-besides providing water projects and toilets to schools, also focuses on handwashing and hygiene education.

What can you do to raise awareness and change behaviors in your family and school? What can you do to help a school around the world have access to a handwashing facility? Choose a school from our list, and take action today!

Partnership with schools in India- H2O for Life on a National Telethon!

2011-09-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

H2O for Life is taking the challenge to be part of the "Support my Schools" campaign in India. We have partnered with 9 schools that need water, sanitation and hygiene education. Take a look at the video below.
It was an honor to be mentioned on National Indian television.

You can help- Donations may be made for schools in India. Donate now on our website.

http://www.ndtv.com/micro/supportmyschool/voices.aspx?id=211148&pg=1&title=H2o_for_life__Providing_clean_water_to_schools

Life Soap supports H2O for Life!

2011-09-15T17:33:00.000-07:00

Colorado State University graduates Juwon Melvin and Aaron Madonna, both 25, grew up in Denver's Montbello neighborhood. They met at a precollegiate summer program called Black Issues Forum. Personal hardships, including Melvin's father abandoning his family when Melvin was 8, and Madonna watching friends get caught up in gangs and drugs, inspired their volunteerism.

Their plan to help crystallized while Melvin traveled in Morocco, where he witnessed children who couldn't go to school because they had to walk for miles each day to find clean water.

"Education was the way out for us, and it can be the way out for the children we want to serve," Madonna said. "But when you are in survival mode and don't have basic needs met, you can't focus on school or take advantage of the opportunities it can give you."

Juwon called H2O for Life during the summer, and expressed their desire to support water projects in developing countries through a connection with H2O for Life in Nicaragua. They have chosen two schools in Nicaragua to benefit from their business plan. Thus far, the young men have raised $2000 and are on their way to their goal to raise $5000 for the schools. To read more, click on the link below.

http://www.denverpost.com/lifestyles/ci_18879876#ixzz1Y4RN2my3

Startling Water Facts!

2011-09-07T07:12:00.000-07:00

As the school year begins, please take a look at updated Water Statistics!!

Can you imagine?
Across the world, about 884 million people suffer from a lack of access to water that is safe.

More than 3.5 million people will die every year due to sickness that is water-related.

A child dies from a water-related disease every 20 seconds.

Diarrhea kills more children under the age of 5 than malaria, measles, and AIDS combined; about 1.5 million each year.

Compared to richer people residing in the same city, less wealthy people are forced to pay between 5 to 10 times more for a liter of water.

An American who takes a shower lasting just five minutes already utilizes more water than an average person who lives in the slum of a developing country does in one entire day.

In the human body, more than 60 percent is made up of water.

While 75 percent of the surface of the globe is covered in water, 98 percent of that is unfit for drinking because it is saltwater.

An average human can only last for about a week without drinking any water.

Almost 4 trillion gallons of water are consumed in America each month.

A typical American utilizes 176 gallons of water every day, while the typical African family utilizes just 5 gallons of water every day.

(statistics provided by Seametrics)

We can change these statistics by funding water projects at schools in need around the world. Please choose a school project today. Learn about the global water crisis, and the actions that YOU can take to make a difference today, and every day!

Clean Water Fuels Education:

2011-09-03T17:11:00.000-07:00

Over the summer, Chris Olmanson, a sophomore at Boston College completed an internship at the H2O for Life offices in White Bear Lake, MN. Chris did every job that needed to be done. He stuffed envelopes, glued packets as needed, developed an amazing lesson plans for geography, created a college outreach program for our website complete with instructions on how to build your website to link to H2O for Life, and lastly, wrote a blog that he submitted to our good friends at Youth Service America. His blog appears below. We will miss Chris as he returns to BC, and wish him a fun-filled successful year at school. Last year, Chris and his friends raised over $2500 for a school in Tanzania. We wonder what he will do this year? Any ideas, Chris?

Clean Water Fuels Education

Editor’s Note: As students head back to school, YSA is highlighting education and service in our Back to School Education blog series. Read blog posts from students, educators, and service-learning experts about their experiences with education and service.

Chris Olmanson discovered his passion for serving others through the nonprofit, all-volunteer organization H2O for Life. He has organized three H2O for Life fundraisers, the first two at Wayzata High School in Minnesota and the most recent at Boston College (BC) in Massachusetts. He is a sophomore at BC, planning to major in international studies with a focus on social justice issues. Patty Hall, Co-founder of H2O for Life, also wrote blog post for our Education series and it is posted in an earlier post.
Everything started in 11th grade when I found out that my high school had partnered with a nonprofit called H2O for Life and we were supposed to raise $5,000 for a school in the Philippines that needed clean and accessible water. My high school needed suggestions to raise funds and I had an idea that could potentially work. I was a cross-country runner and baseball player up to this point in high school, but because of seasons riddled with injuries, I did not performed near the level that I had dreamed. In all honesty, I saw this opportunity as a way to make a name for myself, to do something significant after a slow-start to high school, and to have something to put on my college resume. Man, did I get way more in return.

I asked my brother and close friend for help to organize a walk-a-thon fundraiser. We gathered a group of students to walk two miles to and from school each day in December to raise money for H2O for Life. We received an overwhelming response as we ended up raising $25,000, allowing us to provide several more schools with water systems. H2O for Life then provided us with photos of the children that we were helping and pen pal letters from the students at the Philippines school. It was incredible because we had changed the lives of real kids! Before the water system, the kids walked hours every day to retrieve contaminated water; wasting time that could be spent in the classroom learning and often getting sick from this water. Also without accessible latrines, girls would often stop going to school once they reached puberty. It was incredible to think that our little fundraiser could change all of this.

I felt like I had a legitimate purpose in life through this fundraiser and wanted to continue my work, so we did it again my senior year and then I did one my freshman year in college. I definitely felt like there were kids depending on me to do this. I am planning on majoring in International Studies with a focus on social justice issues and I am particularly interested in helping solve the global water crisis. H2O for Life was a phenomenal charity to work with and I have them to thank for developing my passion to serve.

Youth engagement will change our world!

2011-08-26T14:38:00.000-07:00

H2O for Life and our good friends at Youth Service America encourage all teachers and youth to find an issue that will feed your passion this school year. We at H2O for Life, feel very strongly that without access to a reliable water source, sanitation and hygiene education, nothing will change permanently for communities around he world. The current drought and horrific famine in Somalia and Kenya are examples of our "disaster relief" approach. If we could be more proactive and spend funds on sustainable projects, our dollars would be better spent. What if Somalia had adequate water resources? Perhaps they would be able to grow sufficient food. We know that by providing water, sanitation and hygiene education at schools, we are changing opportunities and changing lives for students and their entire communities. Won't you help us this year? Choose a school project. Your actions will make a difference.

Read our recent blog posted at YSA.org.

http://ysa.org/blog/2011/08/26/h2o-life

Visit to Mozambique

2011-08-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

Tom McDow, a great friend and supporter of H2O for Life recently visited 3 projects in Mozambique that received funding from H2O for Life schools. While visiting Zobue School, he re-connected with Janet, a young Peace Corps volunteer from Los Angeles, who is spending two years teaching at the school. Tom met her on a previous trip and asked her how the completion of the new well has affected the students and community. She responded by saying:

“It has transformed the community! Instead of walking 15 to 30 minutes to fetch water, or hand digging shallow holes in the dry river bed, the women now come to the school well and carry home fresh, clean water. Students who used to spend hours fetching water for their families now are able to attend school full days because the water well is so close. The well has improved both the health and the productivity of the village. And it is used all day long every day!”

We hear comments like this everyday from schools that have received water, sanitation and hygiene education projects. Your donations to H2O for Life, however large or small, are changing the world. Please continue to "think" about the water crisis, and take action to do what you can to be part of the change!

2011-07-27T10:46:00.000-07:00

The following item is reposted with permission from the blog of Global Water Challenge

Tomorrow’s Smiles

Somewhere in the world, a broken water pump sits idle in a field. A few years ago, a well-intentioned group installed the system and captured terrific pictures of smiling children as the mayor cut the ribbon on the new pump. Clean, fresh water started flowing and the community sprang to life. Until the pump broke. Now, those children don’t smile as they miss school and trek long distances to fetch water from a dirty river. They don’t smile as their family and friends get sick from waterborne disease and they don’t smile when their community falters without safe water. The money that funded that pump has disappeared down drain and the good days of flowing water feel like a pipe dream.

Today, a group of leading organizations has united to make sure that the water never stops flowing. Over 20 organizations that work in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) have endorsed the WASH Sustainability Charter. This Charter is a collaboratively-developed mission and set of guiding principles that advance lasting solutions in WASH. Recognizing that a broken pump affects everyone, endorsers include donors, implementers, academics and WASH implementation coalitions. All have agreed to strive toward the key sustainability principles outlined in the Charter and will work together to encourage and empower all stakeholders to achieve these principles.

By aligning the WASH community around common principles and adopting these ideals in our work, we can do our part to keep clean water flowing and toilets working. By providing a consistent framework for ongoing learning, we can develop best practices that ensure solutions last for generations, not years.

Click here to read the Charter and join the movement.

(via Global Water Challenge)

Another GREAT year for H2O for Life schools!

2011-07-16T17:19:00.000-07:00

H2O for Life would like to thank every school, group and individual donor that helped us raise close to $400,000 this year to bring water, sanitation and hygiene education to schools in need around the world. In the past four years, our schools have donated over 1 million dollars for the implementation of WASH projects in schools. (water, sanitation and hygiene education) That is incredible. Most of the funds are raised by youth through creation of multiple, inexpensive fund raising ideas. Students across the US, Canada and other schools from around the world that have joined us, have studied the issues of the global water crisis, and have said "enough is enough!" We can do something to change this. You, too, can get involved and help change and save lives! It's easy- and doesn't take the involvement of hundreds of people. Take a look at a recently posted video by Boston College on our facebook page. A small group of college students (10-12) funded a water project for Longa School in Tanzania.

Over these past four years, the staff and volunteers at H2O for Life have been amazed at the multitude of ideas that have been used by youth to engage their friends, schools and entire communities to take action. We want to share the ideas with you to help your project succeed. Our website, facebook page and our weekly newsletter will continue to add new ideas, new resources and support for you and your school to make a difference.

Our list of schools is being compiled now, with new additions being added daily. Please visit our available school partner list, choose a school today, and get ready to "Dig Deep" to be the change over the next school year. We have several exciting opportunities to share with you as the school year approaches- stay tuned!

Our newly revised educational tool-kit will also be available and in your hands by Sept. 1. The tool-kit again be available online as well.

H2O for Life schools have accomplished a lot in four years, but there is more to be done.
Join us today. Register your project online at http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/ or call us! (651-756-7577)

Children understand the need! You can help make his wish come true.

2011-06-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

Children in our schools rarely give a second thought to water and bathrooms that are abundantly available in our schools. We received a copy of a handwritten note from a young boy, Saif, in Pakistan through our implementing partner, Save the Children. Saif mentions that his village water source was destroyed in a recent flood. He said that diarrhea was a huge problem, and the mothers had to walk out of the village to collect drinking water. His note was requesting that Save the Children complete a WASH in Schools project in his school. He said, "I will play our role." The community and the children are willing to help with construction, and form hygiene clubs that manage and help sustain the project- all they are doing is asking for help to provide an essential basic need- WATER!

Translation of the letter from Urdu to English:

Mr. Badar Sahib, Assalamualaikum!

Eid greetings to you, your family and your team. At this happy occasion of eid I would also like to say that we should not forget our brothers and sisters whose houses have been washed away by the flood. At the same time I want o divert your attention towards another important issue which has made hundreds of thousand lives of the children at risk i.e. “un-availability of safe drinking water” as you know water is an integral part of our life, but safe water. As you know that diarrhea is one of the main causes of mortality amongst children, and every year hundreds of thousand children die due to it. Polluted water contributes 30-30% to this problem. I also learned in Child Focused health Education (CFHE) sessions by Save the Children that polluted water causes many other problems as well. The current flood destroyed water channels and other water sources across the country. My village is also one of the effected villages, which has directly affected me, my SHN CFHE group fellows and rest of the children of my town. The flood damaged the village water supply scheme. We temporally get water from the stream which is not safe water. My group children and some other children refused to drink that water. My mom and some other women of the village Fitch the water from a water source out of the village for drinking purpose, but we use stream water for washing cloths and taking shower etc.

I request Save the Children to solve this issue. We will play our role.

“Water is life”

Regards

Saif Ur Rehman

CFHE Volunteer

Peshora village, District and Tehsil, Batgram

Water IS life!
Everyday, H2O for Life asks teachers and students to help make this wish come true. Won't you also help Saif and others obtain water, toilets and hygiene education at their schools?
Gather your friends, or individually make a donation in Saif's name at:
http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/

Thank You!

Prairie Crossing Project

2011-05-30T18:48:00.000-07:00

Prairie Crossing, Illinois students create an all school event!

2011-05-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

Chelsea Curran and Lauren Rudolf choose H2O for Life and the water crisis as a focus for a school assignment. They set up six informational stations and challenged their school to walk for water in honor of Earth Day. The girls went above and beyond the assignment guidelines, writing a 20-25 research paper and putting in over 50 hours of time to organize the event. The girls raised funds to help bring water, sanitation and hygiene education to a school in Tanzania. To read the local newspaper article, click on the link below:

This project isn't all wet!

Congratulations, and thanks, girls for your inspiration and passion!

2011-05-22T18:28:00.000-07:00

HB Woodlawn and others walk for water

2011-05-22T18:23:00.000-07:00

March, April and May have certainly been the months that have seen the greatest numbers of water walks for H2O for Life. H2O suggested walking on April 16th to collaborate with Global Youth Service Day, and many schools were able to join us. We have heard results from many schools, and so far, schools have raised over $70,000 for water- just by walking! Incredible.

On Saturday, April 21, Patty Hall, H2O for Life President, flew into DC to attend the HB Woodlawn walk for water at Potomac Overlook Park. The weather was gorgeous, the trail run was fantastic, and over 300 runners turned out for the event. HB students, faculty and an energetic parent group organized the event. It was a "real" race venue. Runners had official times, and prizes were awarded for many categories. The real winners are the students at Baliarpur School in Bangladesh, and HB's partner school in Haiti. Close to $14,000 was raised by the first annual HB Woodlawn run/walk. The partner schools will recieve water, sanitation an hygiene education thanks to the efforts of the students. What a treat to see one of our schools in action. Kudos to teacher Cecelia Allen for her dedication and inspiration to her school.

Other news:
Two weeks ago, Rockford School in Minnesota, hosted a walk for water and a carnival. They successfully raised over $11,000. Not only are walks successful, but they also give students and others the opportunity to "feel" the distance that others walk multiple times daily for water. Students may also gather donations from family and friends, which ultimately helps the school reach their funding goal for their partner school. At Rockford, students were challenged to EACH raise $30 to walk. 240 students achieved that goal.

Centerville Elementary School in Minnesota raised over $2900 over the course of the year by sponsoring several engaging events, while teaching about the water crisis. Their culminating event ended with their principal- a really good sport- being "slimed" with something green and gooey. (see the video on our facebook and youtube page) The great news- he asked the kids why they were doing the activity, and most hands went up with the answer- to help our partner school have water.

Every penny, nickel, dime and dollar that is raised by schools makes a difference. Whether your project raises five dollars or five thousand dollars, we hope that kids are learning about the water crisis, and are realizing that they can change the world.

Enjoy springtime. The school year is winding down. Don't forget about H2O for Life. Drop us an email, and commit to your project for next fall. We'll work through the summer to gather all the materials that you need when you return to school after the break.

Thanks for all that each and everyone of you are doing. We can change the world, and we can do it by providing a needed water, sanitation and hygiene education intervention one school at a time.

2011-05-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

Walk for Water- around the country

2011-05-11T14:27:00.002-07:00

On April 16th, many H2O for Life schools celebrated Global Youth Service Day by hosting "Walks for Water" at their schools, local parks, and in Minnesota, at Target Field, home of the TWINS Baseball team.
Schools raised awareness of water issues worldwide, and raised funds for global school partners through donations. Many of our partners supplied water containers so that participants could experience the hardship of carrying water for distances. All walks had their own individual flavor and fun. Some were blessed with great weather, and some, not so much! The walk in Minnesota competed with 2 inches of snow and 40 degree weather. All agreed that carrying water was difficult, and that rain, snow, hot sun and other variables made it even more challenging.

Thanks for all the schools and organizations that hosted walks for water, and for those that are still planning walks before the end of the school year. Your efforts will change lives.

H2O for Life recently received a call from a teacher in Colorado. To paraphrase, she said, I met one of your presenters at the National Social Studies Convention. He made a statement that resonated with me and also with my students. He said "Ask your students this question. Do you want to be the student in the class that just filled a seat, or do you want to be the student that changed the world." Her students have stepped up, and are working to make a difference! Challenge your students, your youth group, your church and yourself to be the person that changes the world. You know you can!

National Youth Leadership Council-Service Learning conference in Atlanta!

2011-04-10T19:14:00.000-07:00

The NYLC service learning conference is always a magnificent event. This year was no exception. The conference was hosted by the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, GA. The forum hosted great speakers, interesting service opportunities in the Atlanta area, and a varied exhibit hall.

H2O for Life lead several presentations as well as an exhibition booth and a photo display at the event. We had student speakers from Abington High School, PA, Quaker Valley Middle School, PA and Heber Hunt School. We also met many other H2O for Life schools that were attending the event from Minnesota, Wisconsin, New Jersey, California, Texas, Missouri and other states as well.

Youth Service America was also attending the event- don't forget to register your service project on their website if you are doing anything between April 15-17th. The numbers should soar past one million participants once again this year. http://www.ysa.org/

Mary Rodgers and her students from Abington High School gave a wonderful presentation about their continuing work with H2O for Life. They have partnered with schools for the past 4 years. Imagine the impact their efforts have made on the water world. Several of the students are serious about planning and starting a water college for training in developing countries. We love their enthusiasm and their creativity and hard work to pursue this amazing idea. We do believe that the youth of today will change the world.

We also had the opportunity to work closely with Mr. Brian Wolovich and his band of 12 sixth graders- and Karen- the wonderful librarian that was brave enough to come along and help! These young people had a lot of energy, and were always well behaved, and ready to go. They took part in a presentation that was attended by over 60 people. Each student had a role in the presentation. The students were poised, prepared and shared their passion for the work they have done this past year. They created a great video that is available on our facebook page and on our website as well. Their edible aquifer, while messy and a little chaotic, was tasty and fun for all. Thanks for attending and sharing your H2O for Life project. I think Quaker Valley convinced many other teachers and students that they too could help change lives for a school around the world.

At the conference, H2O for Life in collaboration with NYLC announced a "Call to Action" for help in Japan. Between now and June 15th, we are asking students, youth groups and schools to plan a "Walk for Water" that will help rebuild the water and sanitation systems for the areas that were destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami. All the proceeds raised through H2O for Life donations will flow to our partner NGO, Mercy Corps. 100% of the money raised will be sent to Japan. For further information, visit our dedicated webpage: http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/2011/04/japan/ You will find donation forms, a tool kit to help you organize a walk, and posters and flyers to use for publicity.

If you live in Minnesota, don't forget to come to Target Field on April 16th. Today, students from Irondale High School Volunteered at the community booth at the stadium to promote the walk. It was a beautiful day to be outside. We hope that next Saturday, you'll join us. Walk and raise awareness and funds for a great cause. Information is available on our website.

Magnificent work at Magnificat High School- Water Wednesdays!

2011-04-05T12:52:00.000-07:00

Take two young ladies, teach them about the water crisis, and look out! Grace and Maddie visited our H2O for Life booth in Kansas City last year, and became passionate about the need for water around the world. The girls studied the issues, and approached their advisor, Ms. Higgins, with the plan to raise funds for Okio Primary School in Uganda.

After "much collaboration and many meetings, the idea of our Water Wednesday was born," said Grace.
Students would take a pledge to only drink water on Wednesdays, and donate their extra money to the project.

After seven Wednesdays, lots of publicity, and an overwhelmingly generous school community, the girls and the school reached their goal of $1350.

They said, "Magnificat has learned, not only how lucky we are to have water at our fingertips, but how it is part of our responsibility as human beings...to care for the less fortunate.

Thank you to the entire Magnificat High School student body, community and teachers from Rocky River, Ohio, and a special thanks to Grace, Maddie and Ms. Higgins. You saw a need and went into action!
Congratulations! Your school has helped change the lives of students at Okio Primary School in Uganda.

"7 Songs for 7 Wells!"

2011-04-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

Today, H2O for Life received a fantastic video from Grandville High School in Michigan. Their school choose H2O for Life partnerships with 7 partner school projects in Nicaragua. They came up with a unique and entertaining fund raising idea. They titled it, "7 songs for 7 wells." They did an all school "lipdub" challenge for the Guinness Book of Records. They attempted to do the world's longest lip synch. I don't know if they won, but the video is great to watch. Talk about students and staff having fun together for a great cause! As we watched the video, we were amazed at the costumes, the planning and the fun that was shared by the whole school. Love the gym scene at the end. Congratulations Grandville. We will play your video at our Walk for Water on April 16th at Target Field as people line up for the event.

A note from Grandville teacher, Kelly Stouten:
"I just wanted to let you know that we've raised over $5000 - closer to 6 - so far and have a couple more fundraisers in store for the remainder of the year, so we will have no problem raising our goal amount. I'm sending you a link to the lipdup we did as an entire school. We made and sold t-shirts that the H2O logo on the front and said 7 songs for 7 wells (even though some of the project are for wash stations/latrines) on the back. It was a different fundraising idea that maybe others haven't heard of."

Kelly

Thanks for sharing Kelly and students from Grandville. You are AWESOME!

WARNING: the video is about 15 minutes long- don't start unless you have time to finish watching-because you'll be hooked!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AzcURe9LPI

What can you do to raise the passion and the fun level in your school?

Speed Volunteering by Irondale High School

2011-03-21T14:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Mrs. Karen Aalund, and Mrs. Mindy Handberg and their service group of volunteers that helped assemble "Rainmaker" bracelet kits at Irondale High School in MN this afternoon. They worked hard and filled a bin with completed kits. Thanks to all!

Celebrate World Water Day!

2011-03-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, March 22 is World Water Day. What are you doing to raise awareness and help solve the world's increasing water problems? There are many small things that we all can do to conserve water, and there are big things as well! Here are several events that are taking place in the name of water.

This is one of the BIG events that can change water access for the world. Kudos to the Senators that are leading the charge to pass the Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2011.

WASHINGTON DC, (March 18, 2011) — Legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate yesterday by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Bob Corker (R-TN) would put the United States in the lead of responding to the worldwide safe drinking water and sanitation crisis. The Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2011 would commit the United States to extending safe, affordable and sustainable supplies of drinking water and sanitation to 100 million people within six years. This major bipartisan initiative would put the United States at the forefront of addressing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for drinking water and sanitation.

The WASH Advocacy Initiative commends Senators Durbin and Corker for their leadership on this important issue, and thanks the five other senators who have signed onto the bill as original cosponsors: Harry Reid (D-NV), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
“We applaud the leadership of Senator Durbin, Senator Corker, and their colleagues in working to provide 100 million people in developing countries with sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation,” said Gary White, Chairman of the WASH Advocacy Initiative. “This is one of the most effective – and one of the most efficient – actions the United States can take to improve health and alleviate poverty worldwide.” Each dollar invested in safe drinking water and sanitation provides an eight dollar (8:1) return on that investment in reduced healthcare costs and time savings.

Patti Simon, wife of the late Senator Paul Simon, said “We shouldn’t forget that the global water and sanitation challenge is solvable – we know the solutions today. This new legislation will help make those solutions a reality. Paul would be proud to see this bill being introduced to address an issue that was a priority for him in Congress, and pleased that leaders like Senator Durbin and Senator Corker are taking the challenge seriously."

“Access to safe drinking water is a right that everyone in the world ought to enjoy but too few are able to realize,” Assistant Senate Majority Leader Durbin said. “Water access is no longer simply a global health and development issue; it is a mortal and long-term threat that is increasingly becoming a national security issue. The United States needs to do much more to ensure that global water access is protected and expanded.”

“As a fiscal conservative, I realize the urgent need to dramatically reduce federal spending and be more efficient with our resources – especially as it relates to our limited foreign aid budget. That means better focusing, targeting and coordinating our efforts to achieve results without authorizing more funding, which is exactly what the Water for the World Act does,” Senator Corker said. “A lack of clean water leads to the deaths of 1.8 million people a year – 90 percent of them children. It stifles economic growth, keeps women and girls from going to work and school, and contributes to political unrest that threatens our national security. For many reasons, I believe water is one of the wisest places we can focus our foreign aid.”

Almost one billion people currently lack access to safe water, and 2.6 billion people lack a way to dispose of their human waste safely. More than two dozen resulting diseases – including cholera – trigger the world’s most serious, and most solvable, public health problems. These diseases kill more children than AIDS, malaria and TB combined. Development experts point out that safe water and sanitation contribute markedly both to global health initiatives and to efforts to keep children in school, alleviate poverty, and empower women. Women and children, as the primary water-haulers across the developing world, bear the brunt of this crisis.

Another event: New focus and commitments for water this year!

3 H2O for Life Schools, Quaker Valley Middle School, PA, Abington High School, PA and HB Woodlawn, VA will attend the event as representatives of H2O for Life. The students will be part of a high level event that will focus on bringing funds to the forefront of the water crisis.

Location: World Bank Atrium, Washington DC

Event: Water for the World, featuring high level leadership from the US State Department and the World Bank, and commitments from the philanthropic and corporate sectors to help solve global water challenges. The event will feature the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the US Government and the World Bank.

Small but important events:

We hope that all teachers, and especially teachers partnered with H2O for Life this year, will take a few moments to remind your students about the global water crisis, and the role that we all must play to be part of the solution! for ideas for your classroom, visit our website to find:

World Water Day Curricular Connections.
View a video with your class.
Find ideas to challenge your students to make a difference through small actions.

Today, I visited Irondale High School. The student service club held a "speed volunteering" activity. They assembled hundreds of "Rainmaker" bracelet kits for H2O for Life. These kits will be available for schools and youth groups around the world. The purpose of the bracelet:

Buy a kit, and proceeds support a WASH in Schools project
Become a Rainmaker- tell others about the water crisis
Wear the bracelet in support of H2O for Life and the work we do (schools, students, and H2O for Life) to "be the change!"

"Running Dry"- A look at the Global Water Crisis

2011-03-19T17:02:00.000-07:00

Several years ago, a good friend introduced me to a video called "Running Dry". There was a scene in the video that showed a woman in a refugee camp walking to a truck and placing her dead child into the back of the truck like a cord of fire wood. The truck was filled with bodies of children. She turned, and slowly walked away, sadly, and without a backward glance. The scene depicted the desperation and hopelessness of the woman. Her child died of starvation and lack of water. It made me cry. It also made me realize that I needed to try to do something to help solve this horrible, yet solvable crisis. We always hope that H2O for Life is making a difference- a measurable difference- one school at a time. After recently visiting Kenya and Tanzania, I know this is true. The funds that YOU are raising at your schools, and the efforts you are putting into raising awareness of the water crisis in your schools and communities is a huge part of the work needed to educate our youth to "Be the Change, Save a Life". The youth of today, will be the changemakers in our world. We need to be sure they have the information and tools to do so.

Below is an article written by our friend, Jim Thebaut, the producer of "Running Dry"- and more educational vidoes about water. Visit his website and view clips of the videos and find out more about what the Chronicles Group is doing. We do have copies of "Running Dry" available. It is geared for upper middle school and high school students. If you wish to have a copy, please email us and we'll send one to you as long as we have them in stock. Please read the article, and post your comments!

__________________________________________________________________________________________
From the Desk of Jim Thebaut, The Chronicles Group
There is an effort by some Members of Congress to cut and/or stop funding Foreign Assistance programs. This is penny-wise and dollar-foolish because, in reality, the seeds of terrorism evolve from overwhelming poverty and the humanitarian crisis!

Foreign Assistance programs are a vital component of national defense and security assistance activity. It is imperative that Foreign Assistance programs be funded to allow NGOs and other humanitarian missions to uplift lives in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia and avoid the temptations of terrorism. It is critical to implement economic reforms in order to generate a viable societal paradigm shift. People don’t rebel and turn to terrorism because they are deep in poverty but because they are shut out of society and have no hope for the future.

Hope will come when people have access to water, sanitation, health care and education. It will come when there is humanitarian aid for refugees and disaster victims. It will come when entrepreneurs can get micro-loans.

As previously suggested in my February newsletter, let’s usher in a new era which utilizes grassroots organization and social networking tools in order to communicate with Congress and public officials the importance of funding Foreign Assistance which supports economic programs as well as improving social and environmental conditions in developing countries, specifically through the Sen. Paul Simon Water for the World Act 2011. The legislation was introduced this week by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Bob Corker.

“Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is a right that everyone in the world ought to enjoy but too few are able to realize,” said Durbin in a March 18 press release. “Water access is no longer simply a global health and development issue; it is a long-term threat that is increasingly becoming a national security issue. I hope the Senate can pass this legislation before this problem reaches a devastating tipping point.”

Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Jim Thebaut

Chronicles Group

Don't forget to join H2O for Life to Walk for Water on April 16th. Organize a walk at your school or in your community. Remember, a small group can make a huge difference. You may also register your service learning event at ysa.org. Be counted in the over 1 million youth participating in service on April 16th.

Be the Change, Save a Life.

www.chroniclesgroup.org • www.runningdry.org • donate

Chronicles Group
800 S Pacific Coast Hwy. #8 #328
Redondo Beach, CA 90277 Email Marketing by

__________________________________________________________________________________________

From the Desk of Jim Thebaut

There is an effort by some Members of Congress to cut and/or stop funding Foreign Assistance programs. This is penny-wise and dollar-foolish because, in reality, the seeds of terrorism evolve from overwhelming poverty and the humanitarian crisis!

Foreign Assistance programs are a vital component of national defense and security assistance activity. It is imperative that Foreign Assistance programs be funded to allow NGOs and other humanitarian missions to uplift lives in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia and avoid the temptations of terrorism. It is critical to implement economic reforms in order to generate a viable societal paradigm shift. People don’t rebel and turn to terrorism because they are deep in poverty but because they are shut out of society and have no hope for the future.

Hope will come when people have access to water, sanitation, health care and education. It will come when there is humanitarian aid for refugees and disaster victims. It will come when entrepreneurs can get micro-loans.

As previously suggested in my February newsletter, let’s usher in a new era which utilizes grassroots organization and social networking tools in order to communicate with Congress and public officials the importance of funding Foreign Assistance which supports economic programs as well as improving social and environmental conditions in developing countries, specifically through the Sen. Paul Simon Water for the World Act 2011. The legislation was introduced this week by U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Bob Corker.

“Access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation is a right that everyone in the world ought to enjoy but too few are able to realize,” said Durbin in a March 18 press release. “Water access is no longer simply a global health and development issue; it is a long-term threat that is increasingly becoming a national security issue. I hope the Senate can pass this legislation before this problem reaches a devastating tipping point.”

Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

The following are brief “Running Dry” video clips which provide depth and dimension to this discussion. Please circulate!

“Running Dry” intro

“Confronting the Crisis”

“Beyond the Brink” preview

Jim Thebaut

Chronicles Group

www.chroniclesgroup.org • www.runningdry.org • donate

This message was sent to pattyvhall@comcast.net from:

Chronicles Group
800 S Pacific Coast Hwy. #8 #328
Redondo Beach, CA 90277 Email Marketing by

2011-03-14T13:34:00.001-07:00

Spotlight on Village Schools International!

2011-03-14T13:30:00.000-07:00

Recently, H2O for Life visited several school projects implemented by Village Schools International in Tanzania. H2O for Life has been partners with Village schools for two years. The site visits were eye-opening and amazing. Through telephone conversations, vetting of organizations thorough outside agencies, and numerous questions, nothing tells the story like a site visit. We met with Steve Vinton, the founder of Village Schools International. Steve and his family hosted us while in Tanzania, and we became educated about their work. The area around Iringa, where we were, is beautiful, but also very remote. We were only able to visit 4 schools out of the 20 due to the road conditions and the time it took to reach each school. Truly, we spent 9 hours in the car one day- stopped overnight, and arrived at Longa school the following day at noon. Was it worth it? You bet. The kids were delighted to see us, and we were thrilled to see their school.

Steve and his team have promised that they will visit every school and take more photos of the partner schools that we will be able to send to you. Every school design is the same- as a requirement of the Tanzanian Government, and all the students wear the same uniform colors. We will send you “generic” VSI photos that will give you a true picture of what the schools look like, and how they are configured. They are truly amazing given the location and community resources! Steve is also investigating the use of email between US and Tanzanian Schools.We'll keep you posted as that moves forward.

Village Schools International focuses on building secondary schools in villages. These are the small communities that you will have a hard time finding on a map. They are rural, mainly farming communities that survive on subsistence farming and community cooperation. In Tanzania, as with many school systems around the world, students are tested at the end of standard 8. If students do not score high enough on the test, their educational career is over. Students are tested in Tanzania in English, making it very difficult for a rural community to have many students that are able to pass the test. The students don’t have access to TV, radio or printed English materials which makes it hard to compete with “city” kids. Most students have never used a computer, and are just now, entering the cell phone culture. Village Schools has chosen to take on the challenge of offering form 1-6 education- similar to our high school and Jr. College- to ALL students. We met students that were innovative, smart and needed a chance to participate in higher education.

They have a terrific approach. Steve and his board of Tanzanian young men and women, visit villages. They inform the village that they can have a secondary school, if they are willing to build it! Village Schools will help provide the technical assistance and the materials that cannot be provided locally through sweat equity. (That’s where H2O for Life comes in!) They challenge the villagers to make the bricks, gather the needed sand and rocks, provide lumber that can be gotten from their land, and anything else that can be provided locally. Every family in the community knows how to make bricks and are willing to do so! They tell the village to let them know when they have the materials gathered. Amazingly, in the past two years, twenty villages have stepped up to the plate.

Village Schools International finds outside donors that will help with specific tasks that must be donated to complete the project. H2O for Life has joined forces to help with the water, sanitation and hygiene education for schools. The estimate needed to bring water, sanitation and hygiene education to each school is around $5000. As per our H2O for Life model, our schools will provide ½ of what is needed. Our H2O for Life schools partner with a school and set forth to raise $2500 for each project. The only reason that the projects can be done for this low price is due to the community labor and supply of materials.

Why does Village Schools have this expectation for each community?

They believe that by engaging the community to provide as many resources and labor hours as possible leads to true community ownership and pride. VSI’s goal is that the school will live long past the involvement of Village Schools and groups like H2O for Life.

On our visit to the schools, we had the opportunity to talk with parents, teachers and students. They are proud of the schools, and very grateful for the outside dollars that pushed the projects to completion.

VSI originally planned to build rainwater catchment at every school. They found. however, that some of the schools had a better plan. At Longa. Lukima and Madesi Schools for example, a gravity flow system with a RAM pump provides a wonderful source of water, that provides more than enough water for the schools. (H2O for Life funded the RAM Pump, the pipes and the needed cement)

Village Schools International also works very hard to engage English speaking volunteers in every school. This has resulted in a noted rise in test scores. Students are flocking to the schools. They accept all students, and some are beginning secondary education in their 20’s! Interested in volunteering? We can help!

H2O for Life is all about education. We are proud to be partners with Village Schools International, and feel that they are producing exceptional WASH in Schools projects. To all of you supporting Tanzanian projects, thanks. Be proud of what your school has accomplished.

We will send new photos of Tanzanian schools, and are working on a video with footage taken with the kids.

Please let us know if there is more we can do for you.

2011-03-10T12:44:00.001-08:00

Hand made quilt to be raffled off by the class

Whittier and Heber Hunt are popping with ideas!

2011-03-10T12:30:00.000-08:00

We recently received an email from Whittier and Heber Hunt Schools. They are partnered with Wangige School in Kenya. They sent letters to the school, and are working hard to raise funds for the project. Thanks to all the teachers and classes that stepped up to help with H2O for Life!

The schools are organizing many events. They are currently engaged in a penny drive. Think about it! We all have piles of penny's floating around in our purses, cars, drawers- put them to use for a great project! Recently, many schools celebrated 100 days of school. What if you challenged your students to each bring in and count 100 pennies? It all adds up. (What about the 200th day of school?- put it on your calendar.)

The school has planned a 5k run with H2O for Life being the recipient of the funds raised. Add a few buckets of water, and you have a great lesson for kids to see what other kids around the world do daily- not for fun, but because they have to! April 16th is the National "H2O for Life Walk for Water Day" in conjunction with Youth Service America. Contact us to join- make the ripple a wave!

The students are also popping corn and selling lemonade during recess for several days in May. Students handle the sales and learn how to sell and handle money.

During their choir concern that is being held tonight, the students are using photos from the Tool-Kit power point and photos of their partners in Wangigi to promote their H2O for Life project. Photos teamed with a powerful song won't leave a dry eye in the house!

Whittier School has an enrollment of 40 students! What is it that Margaret Mead said? "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citzens can change the world: indeed it's the only thing that ever has."

Thanks Heber Hunt and Whittier Schools. You are teaching your students that it is possible to change the world!

2011-02-17T21:07:00.000-08:00

Lukima School, our last school visit!

2011-02-17T10:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we visited Lukima School. We drove from Mbinga for about 2 hours uphill to the school. It is located at over 6000 feet. We were once again greeted by 400 smiling, singing students. The school has recently been built and has form 1 and form 2 - similar to grades 9 and 10 in the US. More grades will be added each year until the first class graduates.

We met with the students in a crowded assembly hall with a beautifully decorated blackboard welcoming us to the school. After several speeches, I also gave a speech and greeted the kids with "Ham Jambo, wana funzi" which means "What's the news fine students?" The kids loved it, but it was pretty much the extent of my Swahili.

We presented another soccer ball to the students, and the cheers were thundering! A soccer ball in a remote area is a big deal, and especially one with the world cup logo.

I had a question from a young man in Boston yesterday, and it was a great question! He wondered why Longa school already had water when they are not completed with their fundraising. We are fortunate to have donors that have helped us create a revolving fund- they donate to projects in need. In the case of these schools in the Ruvuma area, the skilled labor was available in the area, and the implementing group asked if we could provide funds early to take advantage of cheaper prices by doingo 4 projects. Once Boston College raises it's funds, they will replenish the "borrowed" amount from the revolving fund.  It allows schools that are ready to go to not have to wait months before starting. Thanks for the question!

Lukima School also utilized it's location (the mountains) and designed a gravity flow system. The students once again gathered rock, sand and dug the trench for the pipe- 4 km long- and all up a steep grade! H2O for Life funds provided cement, pipes and the skilled labor where needed. We were going to walk to the source, but a torrential rainfall put a stop to that. We actually needed to stay an additional several hours at Lukima because the roads were impassable. Fortunately, our driver, Emanuela was terrific, and able to slip slide our way out to better roads.

We also met Sarah, a US volunteer who is teaching at the school. She told us that she loves it! She lives in very modest staff housing, has a shamba (a garden patch with many foods that she needs) and on occasion is able to email and charge her ipod-which she says is a the best! She is teaching the students English. Without English they have no chance to pass the National Exams, and the Tanzanian teachers are really not fluent enough to teach English the way it is tested. Village Schools International has found that with the addition of English speaking teachers, students flock to the schools, and do well on the tests. Any volunteers out there? We have information if you are looking for a journey of a lifetime in Tanzania.

We had a long drive to Iringa, where Steve and I needed to catch a bus to Dar Es Salaam. Due to the rain, we ended up overnight in Songaa around 8pm. Once it is dark, the driving is dangerous and not advised. We had another 8 hour day to Iringa the following day. We said good-bye to our great new friends from Village Schools, and spent some time shopping in Iringa.

We met a young taxi driver named Ilomo. He spoke English and was a lifesaver. In Kenya, many people speak English, but it is not so in Tanzania. (I really need to learn Swahili) Ilomo escorted us to shops and dinner, and delivered us to the dreaded bus this morning. I actually bought an additional seat so that we weren't smashed in like sardines. Unfortunately, we were right under the "movie" speaker and it was loud. Fortunately, I had several pairs of earplugs in my bag for just such an emergency. It was a long 9 hour bus trip to Dar. As we exited the bus, we saw one lady get off with a live chicken. We couldn't imagine holding that chicken for 9 hours!

Thus ends our school visits. We are reassured that the work that is being done is fantastic and is making a difference in the lives of the students. Thank you all for your support to H2O for Life. We hope you will continue to educate your students, your friends, your youth groups and anyone else that will take an interest in the water crisis. It does have solutions and in the words of Sarah Douglas from Lukima:
                                                        "Haba na Haba hujaza kibaba"
                                                           little by little fills the bucket
We believe this is true!

Ruvuma- Secondary Schools in Small Villages

2011-02-15T09:24:00.000-08:00

For the past 3 days, we have been on the road- and I do mean road- to visit several schools in the Ruvuma area of Tanzania. We headed towards the borders of Mozambique and Malawi. If a downpour had not suddenly happened, we could have climbed to the top of the mountain located near Lukima school, and had a view of the two countries.

We drove from Madesi School to a Catholic convent that rents rooms to get into position for a school visit. 12 hours on the road! We were on dirt roads that were dusty and bumpy for about 4 of the hours. UGH- the travel is tough. It is always worth it to meet the kids and see the schools, but we are wearing out.

The convent was pristine, and comfortable with HOT water! It was a treat! They also have a bakery on the grounds and we were able to have hot cookies out of the oven- and we bought cookies to take with us as well.

We were poised to leave the convent at 8-but after a stop to find a bolt for the car, photocopying of some documents and a stop at the Department of Ed office for another document, we got on the road about 9:30. Mind you, we were in the car at 8-just not moving to our destination!

After an hour and a half drive, we arrived a Longa School. The students were lined up to greet us, singing a welcome song. There were around 400 students who stayed late to greet us. We met in a large assembly hall that was packed. After several speeches, I had the opportunity to talk a little about H2O for Life, and also taught the students part of our H2O for Life song. If you haven't heard it or looked at the music and words, it is available under our educational resources. We'd love to have YOUR school sing it, record it, and send it to us.

We walked over 2Km uphill to see how the students at the school constructed a water project with the help of H2O for Life. They designed a gravity flow water system from a mountain stream that provides a wonderful source of water to the school, and the teachers housing. A reliable source of water leads to better gardens for the school, easier additions to the school as the water is essential in building, and of course water for the students! We had fun on our walk. I video-taped students leading us and singing all the way. I learned a lot about the water source.

2011-02-13T10:44:00.000-08:00

Aids is rampant in the nearby villages of Igoda.

HIV affects over 40% of the people in the village-
many of them are children.

Dr. Leina, joins VSI to make home visits to
people too sick to travel

This mother and her 6 week old baby
are both HIV Positive

Igoda Village visit

2011-02-13T03:28:00.000-08:00

For the past few days we have been in Igoda Village in Tanzania with Village Schools International. The work that Steve Vinton, Susan Vinton and their international family, are doing is amazing. The schools are being built to provide secondary education for the underserved in Tanzania- and believe me that is what they are doing! The concept is beautiful. VSI visits communities and lets them know that they can build a school for their community if they are willing to work! VSI, with the help of partners such as H2O for Life, provides all the materials that cannot be provided by the local community. The expectation is this- the community will construct all the bricks, provide the lumber, provide the sand and gravel and sweat equity labor, and VSI will help with the skilled labor and materials such as cement, nails, rebar etc. The schools are built for a very inexpensive price, and the school is a sustainable facility for the community. H2O for Life works to provide the materials that are needed to complete the water facilities, toilets and hand-washing facilities. H2O for Life has partnered with 20 schools through VSI.

Yesterday we visited Madesi school. The school provides the high school level education and although new, is ranked in the top 15 schools in the area. The key? VSI invites many English speaking teachers to volunteer for a semester or a year in the schools. Teaching students to become more fluent in English by providing the role models and direct teaching has helped the testing scored rise dramatically. The students enrolled are the kids that were not chosen after standard 8 to continue. Giving these students the opportunity for further education will change the communities.

We were shocked to learn that this area of Tanzania is the area most infected with AIDS. We went with Susan Vinton on her home visits yesterday, and had our eyes opened to the problem. The AIDS rate is around 40%, with most households containing one or more people that are positive. There are a large number of orphans- many who are HIV positive as well, and so many babies that are sick. The Vinton's were not expecting to settle into a community that was so highly infected with HIV , but once established, they realized that people were dying daily- and the cause was AIDS. They needed to do something!

This area in Tanzania is known for it's tea fields, and along with the tea plantations came an influx of AIDS.
The tea companies brought in migrant workers, and truck drivers who rapidly spread AIDS among the unsuspecting communities. In a short time, the effects have been devastating. Susan and her VSI family, supported through donations, administers medicines to the community, and they have purchased 2 buses to transport people to local clinics to receive the free medications that is saving lives. (the closest clinic until the VSI clinic opens in a short time is an hour bus ride away- not easy for sick people) Educationally, VSI, also focuses on AIDS education and encourages all students to be tested. Once students are tested for AIDS, the kids tend to encourage their parents to also visit the clinics. Susan is hopefull that the problem is beginning to be controlled, but time will tell. It was a depressing, heartbreaking day for us. It is wonderful that there are people on the ground that see a problem, and dive in to create a solution.

If you wish to support H2O for Life and our work in collaboration with Village Schools International, visit our website, or give us a call. It is an amazing program!

VSI also brought us to many of the fantastic water projects that have been developed. The students and community once again are challenged to provide the materials needed to bring water to the schools. The methods are among the best we have witnessed while on our journey. They are utilizing a "Ram" pump that pumps the water from a nearby stream to the school storage tanks. It is cost effective and efficient. We are thrilled to be part of their work.

We are currently on an 8 hour car trip to an area to visit more schools. The roads are decent, and we hope to meet many more wonderful students and teachers tomorrow.

Salama!

2011-02-08T06:47:00.000-08:00

Visit to St. Margaret's School in Arusha area

2011-02-08T06:38:00.000-08:00

Today I visited St. Margaret's School in the Arusha area. It is a school that has roots embedded in Minnesota. The Friends of Africa, a local group, have helped Mama Tesha get her school off the ground. Many of the students at the school are being sponsored by donors around the world, and other students pay to attend. The quality of education is very good. The school was number 7 in Tanzania last year of over 14,000 elementary schools competing in the testing. The school recently received a large donation of food from Feed My Starving Children. It was good to see a large pot of porridge being prepared for lunch for the children. The school has also received books from Books for Africa to start organizing an library. The school is well on it's way to become a first class Tanzanian school!

St. Margaret's currently receives a rationed amount of water from a nearby army camp, (3 hours a day) but are going to construct a rainwater catchment tank that will allow them to have consistent access to water. The construction of the tank will begin soon. They are very grateful to Diamond Path Elementary for their partnership with them this year that will help build the tank. The students loved the penpal letters, and promised to write letters back very soon. They were fascinated with the photos of snow! They hope that someday, students from Diamond Path will be able to visit the school. They will be most welcome!

I went with my new friend and driver, Alphan, to see if I could get my Kenyan phone working in Tanzania. We waited at one AirTel shop for about a half an hour, only to be told that I needed my passport to complete the transaction. Of course today was THE day that I left the passport in the hotel safe. The ONLY day!! SO..... we went back to the hotel, and headed out again to another AirTel shop. After about another 45 minutes, the transaction was completed. The good news? It works. The bad news? It wiped out all of my contact phone numbers. I am now sitting at the computer trying to recreate phone numbers that I need for the rest of our visits.

Following the telephone debacle, we ventured into Arusha Town to the local market area. Everything that you ever needed at your home for cooking, clothing, or food could be found in the booths. The colors and smells were overwhelming, but the people were very gracious and again, welcomed us to Tanzania. We love the colorful dresses and head scarves that are worn by the women. It fascinates me to see all the different items that can be carried on their heads. They carry food, clothing, wood, bananas, pineapples and everything else from soup to nuts. The women also carry their babies and small children in Kanga cloth on their backs. I don't think I would last a day!

We have enjoyed our very short time in Arusha, and will be heading to Dar es Salaam tomorrow by airplane. After a brief overnight in Dar, we will head to a small village near Iringa. The bus ride will be 8-10 hours. We are a bit apprehensive about the trip! It will definitely be an experience. Once in Iringa we will stay overnight at the Wihanzi Hotel. It will cost us a whopping $15 for the night.

The weather in Kenya and Tanzania has been warm with blue skies- NO WATER! Both countries definitely need rain. They are hoping that in late March or early April the skies will open and they will be able to water their crops and fill their tanks.

Salama!

2011-02-07T10:21:00.000-08:00

Water, Water-hopefully everywhere!

2011-02-07T10:04:00.000-08:00

Today we drove to the border at Namanga to enter Tanzania from Kenya. Our good friend Christopher told us it was a "good road", but I guess it is all a matter of perspective. We've decided that traveling in a vehicle trumps walking mile after mile even if the road is bumpy, dusty and by our standards long! We laugh because no matter where we are going we hear the same comments from our drivers and friends. How far is it to Namanga? "Not so far". And....how are the roads? "Not so bad".

As we look back on our 16 days in Kenya, we realize that we met many wonderful people, visited schools and met teachers and parents that are working hard to give students the skills needed to change their communities, and witnessed an attitude of hope and conviction that life in Africa WILL improve!

Through-out the miles that we have traveled, we must once again mention that we continually pass people carrying either empty containers on their way to find water, or full containers on the long journey home. We have discovered that Tanzania is also experiencing dry conditions, and our H2O for Life shirts always solicit comments. We receive words of thanks from people passing by, and questions about what H2O for Life is doing. When we tell them that SCHOOLS and kids are raising the majority of funds to bring water to our partner schools around the world, they are amazed and impressed. They also realize that our children and youth will be the leaders of the world and will "be the change".

Tomorrow, we visit St. Margaret's School in Arusha. We'll deliver penpal letters from Diamond Path Elementary School, Eagen, MN and spend time meeting the teachers and students. We'll take photos and check on the progress of the school water project. It'll be a great day!

We have a great day coming up for you too! Join us on April 16th for an annual "Walk for Water" to raise awareness and funds for schools around the world. You will find information on our website to help you plan a "Walk for Water" event. If you live in or around Minnesota, the "Walk for Water" will be held at Target Field, the home of the Minnesota Twins. The Pentair Foundation is our presenting sponsor, and the event will be a day to remember. Come walk around the new field, visit school exhibits, and perhaps have a chance to run the bases! Register for the event on our website.

April 16th is also Global Youth Service Day. Join the thousands of youth that are participating in events that make a difference in the world.

2011-02-06T13:11:00.000-08:00

A visit to a Masai Village and more

2011-02-06T13:02:00.000-08:00

Today, following a morning game drive, and a visit to the local airstrip to pick up a friend, we visited a nearby Masai manyatta. We were greeted with singing by the women and men of the community. They were dressed in their traditional red cloth clothing and many beads from head to toe. The women make the beads, and sell them to tourists to help support the community.

Julius, our Masai guide showed us many interesting customs and procedures used by the Masai. He and several of the warriors showed us how to make fire using two sticks- hardwood of the acacia tree and soft wood of the cedar tree. Three of the men made a fire in a few minutes. (I'm sure campers can do something similar, but I was impressed). We saw a group playing a game of mancala using stones, and their hands were flying. Sometimes the winners walk away with additional cows or goats- but not today.

We visited a typical home made of mud and cow dung. The homes are made by the women there and takes 6 weeks to build. The hut will last approximately 10 years. Julius told us that many Masai continue to practice polygamy and many families share the same manyatta. Each wife has her own mud hut. Children in the enclave are welcome to sleep in any home in the manyatta. Masai girls, in recent years, must attend school which has made the marriage age later for most. In the recent past it was not unusual for girls as young as 13 and 14 to be married to much older men.

The children sang a song for us, recited the alphabet and solved several math problems using a stick as a pencil and the ground as the tablet. There are several government schools nearby, and some of the men and women had graduated from the schools and were well educated. They continue to choose to live a traditional life that has few frills. They normally eat grains, milk mixed with cows blood and goat or cow meat on special occasions. They told us that their biggest challenge is water- something we hear from every community throughout Kenya. They walk 10 Kilometers each way to the nearest bore hole. During this dry season, there is never enough!

We also had the opportunity to purchase hand made items from the women. It was a hard sell, and we didn't walk away without buying several items. We enjoyed the visit and learned much about the lives of these interesting, colorful people.

Tomorrow we head for Arusha and a visit to St. Margaret's school. St. Margaret's has many supporters in the Minnesosta area, and Diamond Path Elementary has sent many pen pal letters to be delivered. We look forward to the vist. Tanzania, here we come!

2011-02-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

Women's water project at Kathungu Village

Kathungu students receive a new "futball"

From Kathungu to the Bush

2011-02-05T11:57:00.000-08:00

We have been out of computer contact for several days. We were visiting Kathungu Village- the starting point for H2O for Life. Five years ago, Christopher Mutuku asked for help for his community. Highview Middle School answered by raising funds to construct a sand dam for the community. Today, this sand dam has been enhanced and continues to provide water to Kathungu village. Kenya has had several years of low rainfall, and times are hard. It was wonderful to see that the efforts of students has helped this community tremendously. The students that continued on to Irondale High
School also funded a rainwater catchment tank for Kathugu School. A visit to the school confirmed that the tank is working and will provide enough water for the school for the year. The teachers also told us that because of access to improved water, attendence has increased as illnesses have declined.

As we toured the school, we were greeted by smiling, happy children. Thank you to all of you that contributed to the "soccer ball fund". Every school that has received a soccer ball has been delighted!

We also visited the girls latrines. They were awful, and they need work! We have asked the community and our friends at Kenya Rainwater Association to prepare a proposal outlining what is needed to improve the latrines for the school. The latrines are almost full, smelly and very unappealing. They also do not provide privacy. The teachers pleaded with us to please consider helping Kathungu secure funds needed to rehabilitate the latrines. Maybe you and your school are interested? Let us know!

We attended a celebration and commissioning of a shallow well, pump and cattle trough placed near the original sand dam project. This project was proposed by a local women's group in the area. The women and communty provided the sand, the rocks and the digging that needed to be done for the project. The project is named "Hall's Well", and I am honored. The pump allows the women and girls easier access to water and is more time efficient. It also provides clean water!

Following the commissioning of the project, we shared an African meal prepared by the local women's group. Sukuma-wiki, Ugali, and other dishes were enjoyed by all.

We spent our evenings talking with community members and playing UNO with the neighborhood children. Life is very basic in the village, but also a welcome break from the hustle and bustle that we usually experience.

We experienced many cultural differences while in the village. We are used to everything running on time, and that does not happen. We were scheduled to leave Nairboi at 10am, and finally left the hotel around 2. The celebration at the river was to begin at 10 and began around 12:30! Dinners that were planned for 7, sometimes happened at 9. We often were waiting for something to happen, but we weren't quite sure what that would be. It was an exercise in patience for us. We have learned that there really is "African Time". As my close friends read this, I know they are laughing as I am the most impatient of people. We have gradually learned to be a little more patient, and to not let the "time" interfere with the experience.

Today we are at Amboseli Reserve. It is a dry area, however, the springs and marshes that are tucked away are home for large groups of elepants and other animals. We saw elephants enjoying a cool bath and playtime for the young ones at a small pond. For us, it felt great to have a warm shower after a long day on dusty roads and days of bathing from a bucket!

One more day at Amboseli before heading to Tanzania.
Kwaheri!

2011-02-01T12:53:00.000-08:00

Last day on the Mara

2011-02-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

Yesterday we went on an all day game drive across the Masai Mara. The animals are not as plentiful at this time of the year as most have migrated to Tanzania. There are the faithful "residents" that reside on the Kenya side year round. We had a great day driving across this great expanse of land. We saw many elephants, lions, giraffe, zebras, gazelles of all types, and many different antelopes. We also visited a hippo area of the river. They are monstrous when up close, and from what the ranger told us, they are very dangerous. They can run fast-who knew?- and they don't like to be disturbed.

We walked the hippo trails (escorted by a ranger with a very big rifle) up and down along the riverside. The hippos have very sensitive skin and avoid the heat and sun of the day, and the trails are used to head to the grass in the evening to eat and are used by the wildebeest during the migration. Steep hills, and treacherous footing. No wonder so many wildebeest are injured on the trek down to the river, and then are snapped up by the crocodiles once in the river. We did see several large crocs as well.

On the long road back to Nairobi, we saw many people carrying water, and water containers for sale at every store along the way. Water is never far from anyone's mind, and always must be on the daily
"to do" list. I counted numerous water projects in progress as we drove along- which is good to see. I do think that the government of Kenya is trying to increase the water coverage for the people. There is still much to do.

Please consider organizing a walk for water for your school, youth group, church or community and join H2O for Life on April 16th to raise funds for schools around the world. If you need help getting started, please contact us! We are ready to give you ideas and resources that will help you plan a successful event. Bringing water to schools changes lives and opportunities for students. YOU can help!

Kwaheri! (good-bye)

2011-01-30T11:19:00.000-08:00

Showing off the shirt from Thurgood Marshall

Newspaper articles from Thurgood Marshall

Celebrating the Water Tank

The Masai Mara- a sight to behold!

2011-01-30T11:05:00.000-08:00

After wrapping up business with our implementing partners in the Bomet-Kericho area of Kenya, we visited one last school on our way out of town. Thurgood Marshall helped fund the project last year at Goitab Kalyet Primary. Hey, US kids- all 7th and 8th grade students attend school for half the day on Saturdays! It was great to greet the students, and one student modeled a shirt sent by Thurgood Marshall. I hope to post it soon.
The project was completed, and the students have also planted over 500 trees on the school grounds to help conserve the soil, and replace trees that have been cut for firewood.

We then headed to Sarova Mara camp. It was a long drive on very bad roads. I think there is a theme here about the roads. The camp is beautiful, and as always, my H2O for Life shirt caught the attention of the camp management. The camp sponsors a Masai school nearby, and wanted to investigate future partnerships with H2O for Life. We'll do further investigating, but the great plus that they provide is the chance for TEACHERS to volunteer at the school, with housing and transportation daily to and from the school provided by the camp. Airfare is all that teachers pay. That would be a great opportunity for many of you who wish to visit Kenya. If interested, please contact us.

We have had several interesting game drives. Today we witnessed a cheetah kill of a gazelle. The cheetah was unbelievably fast! We watched the mother and her kittens settle in for a meal that would last most of the day. We also saw lions, a rhino, giraffe and a large variety of other animals.

The weather in Kenya is beautiful, but so dry. The country needs rain! As we follow the weather back home in the US, it seems as if winter will not let the East Coast escape. We are rather enjoying the sun and the heat!

We'll visit Kathungu area soon- the home of our first project with Highview Middle School. It will be wonderful to see old friends.
Enjoy the day!

Kericho Area-Visit to schools

2011-01-28T10:54:00.000-08:00

Jambo! Today we visited 5 more schools to finish out our visit with Tenwek Community Health Center.
We viewed fantastic projects, and met wonderful community members, teachers and students. We also learned a lot about the local health issues and the water issues within their region. We had time to talk on the dusty roads between schools. Truthfully, the trip today was much easier than yesterday!

We saw completed projects and projects in progress. At one school, the workers were digging a 3 ft X 8 foot, 40 foot hole for the pit latrines. The man digging was down at the bottom. He would fill a bucket with dirt, and his partner would pull the dirt up to the top. 40 feet is a long way down. To get out of the hole, his partner would lower a rope, and he climbed out much as a mountain climber would do. In the US, the safety groups would be cringing!

We visited a secondary school and a young lady gave a moving presentation. She arrived at the school several years ago when the water and sanitation project was not completed at her school. She told of sickness and time wasted due to walking for water. Since the projects completion, she has witnessed amazing results. She is the Treasurer of her Health Committee in her school, and challenged all the students to be more aware of washing hands, drinking improved water and keeping the school clean. The students are moved by the fact that it is other students that are providing 1/2 of the funds that make the projects possible. We challenged them to work hard, become leaders in their country and pass on the gift that has been given to them. At each school, thanks to the help of our wonderful friends, we were able to give a soccer ball to the school. The students, typical of kids around the world, were more excited about the ball than the projects at the schools. AND they should be. Our students don't worry about the facilities, and we hope kids around the world can be kids and enjoy their days at school with adequate basic needs being met.

We were treated at each stop with sodas, breads, cookies, rice and goat stew- WAY too much! We have found the people of Kenya to be very generous, and happy to meet visitors.

Tomorrow we wrap up at Tenwek, and head for a few days at the Masai Mara for "vacation".
We'll add photos to the blog space, but won't be adding stories until we are back on the road to schools.

WASH Projects in Bomet Kenya

2011-01-27T10:44:00.000-08:00

Today we had the opportunity to visit 5 schools previously partnered by H2O for Life in the Bomet area of Kenya. Mr. Jonathan Bii and his team escorted us on our visits. They represent Tenwek Community Health Center, and they are doing amazing things in the community. The water, sanitation and hygiene education programs are only a small part of what they do. Their goal is to educate the community on pressing health concerns, and empower the local community groups to define goals and take action to reach the goals.

Our first stop was a visit to Kapsoiyo Primary School. Their project was funded by Wayzata High School, in MN. A note to the Wayzata students- Every photo and letter that has been sent to Kapsoiyo is proudly displayed in their classrooms. They hope you will continue to write more letters. We were able to view the completed water tank and wonderful latrines. An additional 14 latrines were built at the school, which has changed lives for the children. Teachers have assured us that illnesses have decreased, and their enrollment has climbed. Great results!

We then visited several other schools. Among them was Moriko School, partnered with Coventry Christian Academy located in Pennsylvania, and Amory School in Mississippi. You will be receiving photos and pen pal letters upon our return to the US.

Our last stop was at Kamabwai Primary School, partnered with Lewiston High School. We had a fabulous lunch consisting of rice, greens and a goat stew! It really was delicious. The students, teachers and parents were very welcoming- AND the parents were beginning to dig the holes for the pit latrines and the base of the water tank. The parents provide labor and many of the locally available materials for the project. The community is working hard to do their part to make the project a success. Again, great photos will be sent to Lewiston shortly- and letters. So....start writing a return letter.

I "heard" that H2O for Life was featured on Good Morning America this morning. I can't wait to see the clip and learn more about it. If you missed it, I'm sure you can find it on the ABC website. That is my next stop if the computer connection is willing. Sometimes it works great and at top speed, and the next moment, it is barely moving along.

Don't forget that H2O for Life is sponsoring a "Walk for Water" on April 16th. For details, visit our home page for links.

2011-01-26T11:41:00.000-08:00

Messiah Photo held by students at their partner school in Kenya!!

Mugugu primary School, Kenya, connects with Messiah Church in MN

2011-01-26T11:34:00.000-08:00

Today we visited Mugugu Primary School in Kenya along with members of Messiah Church located in MN. The Messiah congregation, with a large focus on their youth group, completed a holiday project to raise funds to bring Iko-Toilets to their partner school. The Messiah visitors took many photos of the schoo, studentsl and the partially completed project. They also brought along soccer balls for the school to replace the rag tag balls that students were currently using. The old balls were made of strings, paper and plastic bags. Needless to say, the new colorful balls were appreciated. The Messiah Youth Group also donated a pencil per student- not a small task when there are over 900 students attending the school. Pen pal letters are being written and will be brought to MN when the members of the team return.
Our visits at the Iko-Toilet schools are completed. We left Mugugu and headed to Bomet, Kenya to visit a new batch of schools. On our way to Bomet, we drove along the Great Rift Vally and were able to see spectacular views. We also had a contest to see who would see the first wild animal. Of course, Tom, our seasoned game drive expert, spotted the first one way before anyone else. The first animal? Zebras! They were quickly followed by gazelles, and monkeys. These animals were mixed among the local cows and goats.

Upon reaching Tenwek Hospital, we enjoyed a walk to an impressive local dam that provides water and electricity to the large compound. Hidden within the rural area of farms, we found Tenwek Hospital to be amazing. They have over 600 staff members and they serve a large population of people every day. One of their programs, and our reason for the visit, is their outreach to schools to provide water, sanitation and hygiene education. We delivered 3 large screen tents to the hospital that will be used in the field as mobile treatment centers. They are doing incredible work. We joined our hosts for a Kenyan meal of sukuma wiki (greens in sauce), a chicken with vegetable stew and delicious mashed potatoes. The seasonings used are very different from what we normally eat, and provided a tasty meal.

Tomorrow we will visit a number of schools in the surrounding area. The roads are challenging and quite dusty. We'll be thirsty but after all, our journey is all about WATER!

Kirangari,Wangige, Nderi Schools-a visit to remember!

2011-01-25T11:32:00.000-08:00

Today, H2O for Life and Iko-Toilet staff visited more schools in Nairobi, Kenya.
The children at the schools are always excited to be visited, and greeted us warmly. We delivered pen-pal letters, photos, stickers and a beautiful hand-made world flag that was designed by'Mrs. Hays' Valentine Hills second grade class in Minnesota. The banner will brighten up the walls and lighted up the smiles of the children.

At Nderi School, Retired Northwest-Delta Pilot, Steve Hall, entertained a standard 8 class with stories about his flying career. The students had recently read a story about pilots, and they were very interested. Captain Hall stressed the importance of education and hard work as a road to success. As in all schools around the world, the students are dreaming of what they want to "be" when they grow up.

The pen-pal letters were a hit with the students, and in return, letters will be delivered back to the US shortly.
We know the letters will be treasured.

The school projects are in varying stages of completion, and the schools are looking forward to using their new toilets and handwashing stations. Thank you to all the schools for your efforts and the time taken to write letters and send items to your new friends in Kenya. As the "messengers" we had a beautiful day!

A Day in Kenya- and it's all about Toilets and Handwashing!

2011-01-24T12:00:00.000-08:00

Today we visited four schools surrounding Nairobi in the Kikyu District. It was amazing to not only see the projects, which we can do through photos, but to hear the teachers and the students express how much they love their new Iko-Toilets at the schools. Iko-Toilets are an innovative sanitation system that provides flush toilets in areas that previously have only had access to pit latrines. Hand-washing stations are also included. The system contains bio-digesters to break down the waste into methane gas, and also seperates out the urea. Both are saleable items, and will add to the sustainability of the project in the future. But the best thing about Iko-Toilets is the excitement of the children- over toilets!

Among visited schools was Kamangu School, sponsored in part by Dayton City School in Tennesee, The students sang songs to us, and told us they hope to hear from their friends in TN. Send us those letters! We have letters to deliver to you upon our return.

Did you know? Kamangu School hosted a Guiness Book World Record setting event on Global Hand Washing Day! Over 19,000 students gathtered at Kamangu to wash their hands together and celebrate the day. Many of the students walked for 3 hours- the entire 500+ students-each way to attend the event.

Let's show OUR comittement by coming out in force on April 16th to support H2O for Life's WALK for WATER!! We are only asking you to walk a 5K route while carrying water and gathering donations to assist schools in need around the world YOU can make a difference, just like the kids at Dayton City School in Tennesee. Check for details on our website.

MLK Day- Make it a Day ON, Not a Day Off!

2011-01-17T07:43:00.000-08:00

Across the nation today, we are celebrating Martin Luther King Day- a Day to remember a man that believed in peaceful change and service. As this day is celebrated in his honor, we hope you think of how you can keep his dreams alive. Recent events in our country have pointed out that many people are angry, have lost hope, and are reacting through violence. After reading many articles about the shootings in Arizona, the one common thread that resonates is that we all need to work very hard to be kind to one another. Would this have changed the shooters mind? I don't know- but as a teacher, I realized that sometimes just a "hello" in the hallway, and a smile could change the day for a students. We all want to feel a sense of worth and belonging.

H2O for Life is working in collaboration with Youth Service America on a Semester of Service: WATER. We believe that challenging youth to "SERVE" rather than "being served" is a paradigm shift that is powerful. Studies have proven that engaging students in meaningful, relevant educational activities results in learning that can be life changing. We hope you, as a student or teacher or interested individual, will pause and take a moment to think about a topic that drives your passion. If you don't know what your passion is, we invite you to partner with a school in need of water, sanitation and hygiene education. We know that once you connect with a partner school, your passion will follow.

On this celebratory day, please commit to engage in an activity that will benefit someone other than yourself!

Need an idea? We have one for you.

Tap in to Tap Water Challenge

• Make water your only beverage on Martin Luther King Day, January 17th

• Save the money you would have spent on beverages

• Donate the money to H2O for Life through your school, business or group

• or donate online at www.h2oforlifeschools.org

Want to do more? Involve your school, business or friends and family to take the challenge. You can do this on any day or days and donate to H2O for Life! It's easy, and will make a difference.

Give the gift of water and sanitation to a school around the world.

Read the text from a recent Blog and visit the Blogsite as well!

2011-01-10T08:14:00.000-08:00

WASH in Schools: A Simple Solution to a Public Health Crisis

http://www.defeatdd.org/blog/wash-schools-simple-solution-public-health-crisis
.There is no single intervention that will improve global health faster than providing access to clean water, improved sanitation and hygiene education to literally 1/3 of the world’s population.

.The statistics are staggering. Nearly one billion people lack access to safe water. Over two billion lack access to proper sanitation. Over half of the schools in the world lack access to a latrine.

In 2004, the World Health Organization estimated that 88% of diarrheal disease in developing nations was caused by unsafe water supplies, inadequate sanitation and hygiene. The number of school days lost due to diarrheal illness alone was 1,863,000,000. Nearly 2,000,000 children under the age of five will die this year alone due to a preventable disease such as diarrhea. There is no time to waste when “quick-wins” are in our reach.

There is good news. This is a solvable situation. However, it requires immediate action. There is no time to wait for the “big fix.” Small, immediate, proven steps can be taken by individuals, organizations, churches, businesses and schools to provide WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene education) at thousands of schools throughout the world.

How can you help?

H2O for Life is a 501c3 organization dedicated to bringing improved w ater, sanitation and hygiene education to schools in developing nations by engaging students, businesses, faith based organizations, fraternal clubs and others in developed nations through service-learning projects. U.S. participants learn about the global water crisis and develop an action plan to raise funds to bring water, sanitation and hygiene education (WASH) to their partner school. Participants learn that they can be activists for change by improving life’s circumstances, educational opportunities and the health of the students at their partner school.

In developing nations, school children need clean water, sanitation facilities and hygiene education to be able to learn. Yet half of the world’s schools lack safe water. More than half lack an adequate latrine. With no safe way to dispose of human waste, diseases such as typhoid, cholera, schistosomiasis and worm infections flourish. Illness related to water and sanitation kill 4,500 children a day. H2O for Life offers a solution to this solvable public health crisis. One of the most important approaches is to provide improved drinking water, sanitation and hygiene education to schools in developing countries.

It’s easy to partner with a school in need in a developing country. Please visit: http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/ to find out how YOUR group can join us and TAKE ACTION to bring water, sanitation and hygiene education to schools in need around the world.

Stillwater Jr. High interviewed by PBS

2011-01-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

A Powerful Partnership for Learning and Service:

Stillwater Junior High School, 3 Lost Boys of Sudan, H2O For Life and Water For Sudan

SJHS Students Raise More Than $11,000 To Fund Wells in Southern Sudan

The Lost Boys of Sudan are 27,000 boys orphaned during the 2nd Sudanese Civil War who undertook an incredible journey to refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, enduring separation from families, war, hunger, wild animals and disease. In 2001, 3800 were resettled in the U.S. They Poured Fire On Us From the Sky is the story of three Lost Boys - Benjamin Ajak, Benson Deng and Alephonsion Deng.

For the past two school years, 9th grade AP Human Geography students at Stillwater Junior High School in Stillwater, Minnesota have read and responded to They Poured Fire on Us From the Sky. Thanks to grants from the Partnership Plan for Stillwater Schools and District #834 Diversity Funds, co-authors Benjamin Ajak (2009) and Benson Deng (2010), have travelled from San Diego, California to Stillwater to share their experiences as Lost Boys of Sudan. Benjamin and Benson each spoke with more than 300 Geography students in classrooms and with the Stillwater community via evening public presentations. Through this experience, students have learned that one of the most critical issues facing Southern Sudan today is the lack of access to clean, safe water.

A chance meeting in San Diego between Patty Hall, founder of H2O For Life (a Minnesota non-profit organization dedicated to bringing clean water and sanitation to schoolchildren around the world) and a friend of Judy Bernstein, editor and mentor to Benjamin, Benson and Alepho, sparked a new partnership. When Patty first learned that Benjamin would be speaking in Stillwater in December 2009, she contacted Stillwater AP Human Geography teacher Sara Damon and suggested Benjamin’s visit serve as a catalyst to build a relationship between Stillwater Junior High students, H2O For Life and Water For Sudan.

Thanks to this powerful partnership, Stillwater Junior High students not only have a deeper understanding of geography concepts related to culture, migration and the refugee experience, but are also able to contribute to a better future for the family and friends of the Lost Boys. Collaborating with Water For Sudan is especially meaningful for Stillwater students, as the organization was founded by Salva Dut, himself a former Lost Boy.

During the 2009-2010 school year, students set a goal of raising $5000, to be matched by Water For Sudan for the construction of a well for a village in Southern Sudan. Students met and exceeded that goal - selling t-shirts, bracelets and tickets to Benjamin Ajak’s public presentation, bagging groceries at a local Cub Foods store, and speaking with and seeking donations from Stillwater Rotary Clubs. Additional donations were provided by local bookstore Valley Bookseller, the Minnesota Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and H2O For Life.

2010-2011 fundraising efforts kicked off with a Walk For Water in September. More than 100 Stillwater Junior High students, staff and family members collected pledges and walked 6 kilometers (15 laps on the school track) carrying 6 liters of water, symbolizing the walk for water taken by students in developing countries on a daily basis. In addition, students sold t-shirts and tickets for Benson’s Deng’s evening presentation and are looking forward to a forthcoming donation from the Stillwater Area High School National Honor Society based on proceeds from their annual coffeehouse event. Some 9th graders decided to “pay it forward” and have donated their holiday cash gifts. As of January 2011, students have raised more than $6800 and are well on their way to meeting this year’s goal of $10,000 to fund two additional wells.

Read student responses to They Poured Fire On Us From The Sky and Benson Deng’s visit here: http://apgeog.blog.stillwater.k12.mn.us/from-sudan-to-stillwater/

Learn more about H2O For Life here: http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/

Learn more about Water For Sudan here: http://www.waterforsudan.org/

For further information, contact Sara Damon at damons@stillwater.k12.mn.us or 651-351-6952.

Join us for a Semester of Service: WATER- Kick it off on MLK Day!

2011-01-01T18:45:00.000-08:00

Tap in to Tap WATER for Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Day is a dedicated day of service! It is your opportunity to join America and step into service. You can make a difference. H2O for Life is challenging you, your school, your business or whatever group you can gather (could be your family!) to "TAP in to Tap Water!" On January 17th, drink only tap water for the day- donating any funds you would have spent on beverages to H2O for Life and our WASH in Schools projects. Every donation makes an impact for a school in a developing country. Make it an all school focus, and add funds to your partner school project.

I visit my local coffee shop every morning and spend over $4.00 on a Latte. Just think, if 100 of my friends gave up their latte for one day- we could raise $400. It's pretty easy! What if every person in your school gave a donation? It's the power of numbers!

Now, other than my daily latte, I also have a juice or another cup of coffee while at work. I imagine that I spend at least $8-10 on beverages without even blinking! On January 17th I'll be donating to H2O for Life. In fact, I think I'll challenge myself to give up my latte's for the week. I'll donate $28 for water! What can you do?

Stay tuned for more information on Semester of Service, and how we can help you learn about the Global Water Crisis, while taking action.

Riverdale High School- Wow! Lots of great ideas!

2010-11-22T13:09:00.000-08:00

H2O for Life received a wonderful letter from Ms. Laurie LePore and her students at Riverdale High School. The students have completed many wonderful activities to raise awareness about the water crisis, study the issues, and they have taken ACTION to bring water to schools in need around the world. Take a look at the great ideas, and the inspirational learning that has taken place at their school. Congratulations to Riverdale High School for 3 years of fantastic service learning with H2O for Life.

Riverdale High School

Portland, Oregon
H2O
FALL 2010

Riverdale’s connection to H2O for Life began in September of 2008 as a science and service learning elective called H2O. The 12-week course included studying a wide range of student-generated water-related topics and raising money to benefit a school in Kenya in need of a clean, constant water supply. Riverdale continued the elective class in 2010 and the money fundraised will benefit Ruhaama Primary School in Uganda.

H2O 2010

Portland Fountain Walk

Field Trip

Our Fundraisers:

“Aqua Palooza” Halloween Dance- The H2O class had a “Dance Committee” that met every week to plan the dance,“Aqua Palooza.” Since the dance was close to Halloween, the committee opted to make the theme Halloween and to encourage Halloween costumes. The committee was able to plan a very successful dance while coming in under budget and raising over $2,100 towards the goal of $5,000. Many people in the Riverdale student body attended the dance in costume to support Ruhaama P.S. Student Scott Hall donated his time to DJ the event.

Microbe Sale- The “Microbe Committee” advertised and sold Plush Microbes to parents, teachers, and students. Sales of waterborne pathogens included giardia and Vibrio cholerae. These stuffed microbes have become a popular item to have and collect, and they made great gifts.

“Krispy Delivery”- The Krispy Kreme Committee sold Krispy doughnuts on two occasions for an impressive profit. The doughnuts sale was a huge success at parent-teacher conferences. After learning about the cause, many parents purchased the “Krispy-Kreme-o-grams” to send to their children in class. This treat and a note of good luck was sold during finals week to be sent from student to student.

H2O for Life Shirts- The “T-Shirt Committee” sold H2O for Life T-shirts and sweatshirts. Students and teachers purchased the shirts before school, at lunch, and after school. Parents were able to purchase a t-shirt or two at school functions. Along with the H2O for Life logo on the front, our shirts are personalized on the back with “Riverdale High School, Portland, Oregon” and the four schools we have supported:

Viragoni Nursery School, Kenya 2008

Kabuling Day Care Center, Phillipines 2009

Kyentama Primary School, Uganda 2010

Ruhaama Primary School, Uganda 2010

Our Field Trips:

Portland Fountain Walk- Students took a field trip to downtown Portland to explore numerous fountains while logging in approximately 5 miles. Each of the 12 fountains we visited had a rich history involving their functionality to the City of Portland and an intriguing artistic design. While downtown we also saw THE DEEP SEA IMAX at OMSI and ate lunch at one of the food cart parking lots.

Bull Run Reservoir- The Portland Water Bureau led our class on an exclusive private tour of Portland’s main water source, Bull Run Reservoir. Students were thrilled to be invited inside of the humongous dam that holds back our city’s water supply. We pulled water samples and ran some of the water quality tests that people at Bull Run Reservoir run multiple times everyday to ensure Portland has a clean and constant water supply.

Our Class:
Water Projects- Each student chose a water related topic to research. Students were responsible for planning and presenting their findings to the class in an informative and creative way. Students took a diverse approach using different educational strategies including activities and games. These student-led lessons often included PowerPoint presentations, articles in the news, debates, art projects, and labs. Topics included hypoxia, blue holes, fishing practices, bottled water, and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Students were encouraged to look at the topic of water from a biological, chemical, economical, and ecological perspective.

FLOW- The class watched the documentary For the Love Of Water (FLOW). The film explores the question, “Should people, corporations, or governments own water resources?” It focuses on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water group.

Our Pen Pals:

Each student wrote a letter and sent pictures to pen pals at Ruhaama Primary School. We introduced ourselves and described our personal lives, Riverdale High School, and the geography of Portland, Oregon. Riverdale students will soon receive letters from students at Ruhaama. Many students plan on maintaining a pen pal relationship with their new friends in Uganda.

Our School:
Riverdale High School is located in South West Portland. In the 2010-2011 school year, Riverdale High School has a student body of 230 in grades 9 through 12. The mission statement of Riverdale High School is to “Teach students to be thoughtful in their education, about each other, and for their community.”

2010-11-11T07:27:00.001-08:00

Skype with Alexandra the "Explorer"

2010-11-11T07:24:00.000-08:00

Alexandra Cousteau has been covering the country in search of great stories about WATER. As a National Geographic sponsored tour, Blue Legacy has spent the last 5 months, visiting interesting water sources, environmental areas of concern and has interviewed, filmed and searched for great water stories. One of their stories was "H2O for Life". As a follow-up activity, Ms. Cousteau is conducting several SKYPE calls with H2O for Life Schools around the country. Sedgwick Middle School will be on the call on November 15th. We hope to receive photos and an update from Sedgwick after the call to share with all of you.
Remember, every penny raised by H2O for Life Schools helps bring water, sanitation and hygiene education to students in need around the world. A drop in the bucket creates a ripple AND a wave! If you haven't chosen a partner school for this year, visit our partner school list and choose today. We need your help to change lives around the world by providing a "basic human right"- WATER.

Read the note below from a teacher at Sedgwick.
Hi everyone,

Due to the overwhelming success of Student CAST’s water fundraiser, and the students’ innovative approach to raising awareness, H2O For Life Schools (www.h2oforlifeschoools.org), has recommended our students to participate in a very special event. On Monday, November 15, Student CAST members from Sedgwick and Conard will take part in an online discussion with Alexandra Cousteau, Founder and President of Blue Legacy International (http://www.alexandracousteau.org/), and grand-daughter of legendary diver Jacques-Yves Cousteau. The online meeting between Ms. Cousteau and the students will focus on water scarcity, environmental challenges, research into solutions, and how to be an effective advocate for environmental causes.

The students’10-day campaign brought in nearly $2,400 and, combined with money from Sedgwick’s own fundraiser, helped to build rainwater collection tanks, latrines, and fund hygiene lessons for the children at the Cheleget Primary School. Attached is a picture of the 60’ poster the kids constructed in the cafeteria and of the rainwater collection tank that has been built with the money they helped raise.

The online interview, via SKYPE, will take place on Monday, November 15 from 3:30-4:30 in Room 216.

2010-10-28T12:56:00.001-07:00

Irondale High School Global Hand Washing Day

2010-10-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

To recognize Global Hand Washing Day on October 15th, students from Irondale High School in Minnesota planned an event to raise awareness about the need to wash hands around the world- including before lunch at Irondale! The following report was submitted to H2O for Life from student Hannah Eschenauer. You too can let us know what your school is doing! Send photos and a word document. We'll feature you on our blogsite.

Irondale High School Global Hand Washing Day Report

For Global Hand Washing Day, Irondale decided to cooperate with the Minnesota Department of Health. Members of the Irondale volunteer club helped with running the hand washing station. The station had a box with a hole on top, a hole on one of the sides, and with two black lights inside the box. The students would get some special lotion that glowed in the black light and spread it all over their hands. This lotion would be their pretend “germs.” After putting on the lotion, they would put their hands through the side hole of the box, look through the top hole of the box, gaze in and see their hands and the pretend “germs” on them. After this, we would ask them to go wash their hands. Next they would come back and see how well they washed their hands. They would put their hands back into the box and see that the parts that were still glowing on their hands are the places that they didn’t wash well enough.

This was done at lunch because first of all, it was the best time during the day and second, the students don’t wash their hands before lunch because they want to get in line right away to get their food. Many of the students were surprised at how there were still germs on their hands after washing with both soap and water. We told them that it wasn’t just soap and water, but it was also the amount of time that they washed that mattered. Most of the time, it was in between the fingers and the nails that still had lotion/germs on it. The Minnesota Department of Health provided free nail scrubbers for the people that tried it. The teachers even tried it and that was fun to watch. The science teachers loved it and thought it was very interesting. In all it went really well because it was an interesting idea and also a fun way to see how well you washed your hands. A lot of people tried it out.

Thanks Hannah and Irondale for sharing your story. Irondale was entered in the contest drawing to win a free "Flip" video camera- but- they weren't the winners. Try again during our next contest!

World Record for Global Handwashing Day!

2010-10-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, our partner in Nairobi, IkoToilets worked to gather huge numbers of students to participate in Global Handwashing Day. Over 19,000 students came together to wash their hands. Handwashing is essential to combat disease for all of us. In developing countries there is a provide to supply handwashing stations at schools with soap and water. Schools also are educating youth about the need to wash hands and hopefully the lesson will go home with children to their families. Education can change behavior! Take a look at the youtube video celebrating the day in Nairobi.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBnx3rR4Tf0&feature=channel

2010-10-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

2010-10-17T11:29:00.001-07:00

Bathroom Pass

2010-10-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

Access to sanitation is a huge problem around the world. Over 2 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation and handwashing facilities. The millenium development goals are targeting sanitation, but sadly, we are far behind in reaching the set goal to provide sanitation to areas of need around the world by 2015.

H2O for Life and many other organizations are working hard to raise awareness of the need for clean water, sanitation and hygiene education- and our focus is SCHOOLS! We truly believe that if we can help provide these necessary facilities, and the education to teach students essential hygiene skills, communities will change for the better. Studies show that children bring lessons home to their families. Students are great teachers and can change their families and communities over time. Changing lives at ONE school does make a difference and you can help.

Last week, WASH in Schools was the focus of many meetings in Washington DC. Global Handwashing Day was celebrated on Friday. At the Academy for Educationl Development in DC, there was a wonderful photo display called the "Bathroom Pass". The photo and video display documented facilities available in 4 typical schools around the world. One school highlighted was Abington High School located in Abington, PA.

H2O for Life student "Nathan" was asked to photograph and provide a video about facilities located in their school. Nathan was surprised and thrilled to see a "bigger than life" photo of himself in his H2O for Life shirt. Nathan has been a member of Abington's H2O for Life club for the past several years. He and others at Abington have raised funds to bring water, sanitation and hygiene education to schools in Mali, India, Nicaragua, and are currently focusing on a school in South Africa. Thanks Abington!

The display in DC will be open to the public through November 19th. If you have the opportunity to visit the Academy of Educational Development, please visit the display. It is wonderful and informative. H2O for Life then hopes to be able to post the photos and videos from the display online for all to see.

We are posting photos of students from HB Woodlawn School from Arlington Virginia, and Abington High School as they visited the "Bathroom Pass" on Global Handwashing Day. Students learned several engaging educational lessons provided by "Project Wet" and H2O for Life that they will bring back to their schools and communities.

We welcome photos and stories from you! Let us know what your school is doing to help support the global water crisis. We'll post photos and comments. Also be sure to visit our facebook page and become a fan.

As always, everything you do affects the world. Do something GREAT!

"Raising Clean Hands" Our mission- Wash in Schools

2010-10-15T06:58:00.000-07:00

Today is Global Handwashing Day. We have challenged schools across America to plan an event to raise awareness about handwashing, and the lack of facilities in schools around the world. H2O for Life Schools support WASH in Schools programs by partnering with a school in a developing country that desperately needs water, sanitation and hygiene education. Students learn about the global water crisis while TAKING ACTION to do something- raise funds- to support their partner school. We are teaching a generation of students to "think" about water and how we must all work to keep this precious resource protected.

Support for WASH in Schools is growing daily. Join the movement today!

Read part of the speech delivered at the Academy for Educational Development on Wednesday, Oct. 13.
As Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs, I have worked over the past year to elevate two initiatives at Secretary Clinton’s request: water and youth.

Fortunately, today gives me an opportunity to talk about both: the importance of providing water, sanitation, and hygiene education – and the significance of starting early. We must teach our children—our future—to be better stewards of our world’s water and better caretakers of their own health.

No matter where you live—be it Boston or Bamako—schools are the foundation of strong communities. They are, of course, a place where teachers teach and children learn. But they are also a place where community health workers deliver life-saving messages and medicines. They are a place where adults gather in the evening for continuing education and town hall meetings. And they are a place where people come to vote and young democracies flourish.

It is a tragic irony that those who go to schools to learn, congregate, and protect their health, are often put at risk from the school environment itself.

The problem is clear. More than half of all primary schools in developing countries do not have adequate water facilities and nearly two-thirds lack adequate sanitation. Even where facilities exist, they are often in poor condition.

The consequences are threefold. First, health suffers. Schools can—and often do—become a breeding ground for diarrhea, parasitic worms, and other water-borne ailments. The World Health Organization estimates that diarrhea causes 1.5 million deaths per year; many resulting from transmission in schools.

Furthermore, schools without WASH facilities represent a lost opportunity to promote good hygiene behavior in the larger community. Data suggests that students who practice good hygiene in schools also help teach good hygiene practices to their parents, siblings, and friends.

Second, education suffers. Worm infestations can lower children’s IQ scores. Studies show that students are more prone to missing lessons in schools without WASH facilities. Such trends can have devastating long-term costs for students, communities and nations, virtually closing doors to opportunity.

Third, women and girls suffer disproportionately. Female school staff and girls who have reached puberty are less likely to attend schools that lack gender specific sanitation facilities. As we increasingly recognize the contribution of women to household income, health, education, and nutritional outcomes, nations simply cannot afford a lag in women’s education and literacy.

The bottom line is this: If we are serious about improving child health, achieving universal primary education, ensuring gender equity, and stimulating economic development, we need to be serious about providing safe water, sanitation, and hygiene education in schools.

Schools, organizations, churches and individuals can join us in our mission to bring water to schools. Help raise awareness of the issues in your community, and make a donation today to a group that is working to bring water to schools.

We must ensure that WASH is incorporated in school curriculum and teacher training to complement the infrastructure with appropriate hygiene and sanitation messages and skill-building.
I would just close by pointing out that this Friday, October 15, the world will commemorate Global Handwashing Day. On this day, educators in countries around the globe will be showing their students how to wash their hands. It sounds simple to an audience that is accustomed to automatic faucets. But sadly, hundreds of millions of children will not be able to practice their handwashing lessons at school.

This is where we all can make a difference".

You can make a difference today! Schools, organizations, churches and individuals must talk about the water crisis to make people aware of the issues, and TAKE ACTION. Partner with a school in need and donate to an organization that is working to bring WASH programs to schools. Working together will solve the global water crisis.

Children Should Carry Books, Not Water

2010-10-14T08:16:00.000-07:00

Recently, Nathan Strauss, an H2O for Life students was honored at an event in Washington DC for his efforts to bring water, sanitation and hygiene education to schools around the world.

Story submitted by John Sauer, Water Advocates

U.S. Raising Clean Hands Campaign Launched:

WASH (WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene) Is Essential to Achieve Universal Education

October 13, (Washington, DC) – Nathan Strauss, 17, a student at Abington Senior High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is part of a growing movement of America’s youth who are stepping up to make a change in the lives of the students around the world who are carrying water and not books.

Even for those children that have the opportunity to go to school, students lose 443 million school days each year due to diseases associated with the lack of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Repeated episodes of diarrhea and worm infestations diminish a child’s ability to learn and impair cognitive development. This problem is exacerbated by the more than half of all schools in developing countries that lack adequate WASH facilities.

“I had no idea of the magnitude of the issue and I was shocked to find out the severity of the crisis and the number of students like me across the world that still don’t even have a toilet at their school. Doing something about this has become a really big deal for me,” said Nathan Strauss. “I think America’s youth has great potential to do something about this problem; if everyone gets taught the issue, we can all help. Imagine if all the students in America were a part of this; the change would be enormous,” he continued.

Nathan is not alone. Nearly 30 organizations launched a campaign in the United States today at an event at AED to demonstrate that providing water, sanitation and hygiene education in schools globally can help solve the WASH and education challenge around the world. Through this campaign, and an exhibit called “Bathroom Pass,” these organizations highlight the solutions they are currently implementing and urge the U.S. Government, the World Bank, and other actors in the education and health sectors to bring WASH to schools in the developing world.

U.S. Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero stressed, “The bottom line is this: if we are serious about improving child health, achieving universal primary education, ensuring gender equity and stimulating economic development, we need to be serious about providing safe water, sanitation and hygiene in schools.” She emphasized the important role of students, like Nathan, to participate in service learning projects that help them engage in concrete actions to help others around the world. Earlier this year on World Water Day, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton emphasized that global water issues would be a priority for the U.S. Government.

Other speakers who highlighted the need to act included Carol Bellamy (Education for All - Fast Track Initiative), Clarissa Brocklehurst (UNICEF), Jack Downey (AED) and Denise Knight (The Coca-Cola Company). Jon Hamilton of NPR served as the moderator.

Nathan took action by helping to start a club through H2O for Life to raise funds to help schools in developing countries; the money is used to improve access to clean water, build toilets and handwashing stations, and provide hygiene education. So far 120,000 students across the U.S. have participated in H2O for Life service learning programs. Nathan’s story is highlighted in the “Bathroom Pass” exhibit, as are the stories of three students from Honduras, Madagascar and Nepal.

As a part of this campaign the organizers are challenging you to:

• Live for one day on the global minimum standard for water—approximately 5 gallons per person per day for drinking, cooking and bathing.

• Wash your hands at critical times: after using the toilet and before preparing food or eating.

• Start an H2O for Life club at your school like Nathan and his classmates did. Visit http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/

The launch of this campaign is timed to coincide with the week of Global Handwashing Day, October 15, when 200 million children, parents, teachers, celebrities and citizens in over 80 countries are raising attention for handwashing and for WASH in Schools. Visit http://www.globalhandwashingday.org/

We invite schools in the US, and other Nations around the world to join H2O for Life in our mission to bring water, sanitation and hygiene education to schools. Mobilize your school or organization and Make a Difference!

Students make a "Splash" on the Hill in DC

2010-10-07T16:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, October 6th, students from HB Woodlawn School in Arlington, VA visited and spoke to leaders on Capitol Hill. Teacher Cecilia Allen and students Mary Shields and Delaney Steffan were invited to share their views on WASH in Schools programs.

Here is a portion of the article written by Christina Maria Paschyn, published on October 7, 2010.

Washington, D.C. - Experts and advocates from humanitarian organizations stressed the need to provide adequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities and instruction for school children in the developing world at a congressional briefing yesterday.

Two out of three schools in the developing world lack decent toilets, according to UNICEF. The World Heath Organization estimates that 272 million school days are lost each year due to diarrhea and some 400 million school-aged children worldwide have worms.

Pamela Young, a senior basic education advisor for Plan, explained how water, sanitation and hygiene facilities (such as latrines and hand washing stations) are vital in schools for increasing classroom attendance and learning.

H2O for Life students had a chance to speak as well.
"As students in Arlington, Virginia, we know that we lead very privileged lives and that there's no way to compare our lives to those of children in much of the developing world," said high school junior Mary Shields, who described how she first realized the importance of WASH while working in a remote hospital in Rwanda. "I personally witnessed the birth of a child in 2010 in Rwanda who went home form the hospital to face the challenges that come from living in an area without access to clean water."

"I find it appalling that girls my age have to stop going to school when they reach puberty because they lack acces to adequate sanitation," she added. "It is unacceptable that children arrive into the world in this day and age without acces to clean water" Through various fundraisers, Shields and her class raised money for WASH programs for school children in Cameroon.

It's wonderful, and essential that schools across the US take on big challenges! The youth in our country are passionate and willing to work on issues that they care about. It is our job as teachers, parents, and leaders to raise awareness about important issues and allow our youth to be part of the solution! Thank you HB Woodlawn for your past and future work!

To view the entire interview and see the videos, visit:
http://pulitzercenter.org/blog/news-points/water-sanitation-hygiene-children-developing-countries

2010-10-06T18:02:00.000-07:00

H2O for Life-Off to a fantastic fall!

2010-10-06T17:25:00.000-07:00

Where did the summer go? By now we are all back into the fun and frenzy of the school year. Many schools have already chosen their WASH in Schools partner for the year, but if you haven't, now is the time! Please see our list of available schools.
There are many exciting events on the horizon. Keep checking back to our blog so that you don't miss any of them. Also, join and visit our H2O for Life Fan page on Facebook.
As for exciting events? Today, Oct. 6, two young ladies from H.B. Woodlawn School in Arlington, VA spoke to a Congressional meeting on Capitol Hill. They spoke about their school project in Cameroon, and how it affected their own school and their lives. Teacher, Cecilia Allen, accompanied the girls to the event. It's another example of how engagement in a meaningful service learning activity can lead to exciting learning opportunities! Way to go girls!
Next week, Oct. 15, in Washington DC, Abington High School, PA and H.B. Woodlawn, VA will be presenting activities at a youth engagement event being sponsored by the Academy of Educational Development, and Water Advocates. H2O for Life and Project Wet will be providing curricular connections and activities for DC students attending the event. There will be a photo and video display of sanitation around the world. (including the sanitation of a local US school to show the contrast between our schools and schools in developing countries) The display will be ongoing for the month of October.
Global Handwashing Day will be celebrated on Friday, October 15. H2O for Life is hosting a contest for all interested schools. Plan an event, activity or celebration for Global Handwashing Day and send us a photo of your students in action. One lucky school will receive a flip video camera. To enter, send us a photo and your school will be entered in a drawing for the flip camera. Show students washing hands, designing posters- whatever event helps raise awareness!
A little further down the road, November 19, we celebrate World Toilet Day. Check out world toilet day activities online. Think about it! Two Billion People are standing in line.
If you are looking for even more information on WATER for your classroom, National Geographic has recently launched a curriculum based around water. Check their website at www.natgeo.com, click environment and it will lead you to "Freshwater". There are great lesson plans, videos and a variety of information at your fingertips.
H2O for Life is working with several organizations to plan a nation-wide Walk for Water in the spring. No matter what your school is doing this year for your water project, save room and time to add a "walk for water". Watch for our connecting activities and ideas with Youth Service America, (www.ysa.org) the National Youth Leadership Council(www.nylc.org) and others as we join forces to raise awareness and funds for the global clean water crisis.
Remember, it only takes a single drop to create a ripple. Lets turn a ripple into a wave of water! We need your help. Join H2O for Life Schools today.

Students in Nicaragua celebrate their new latrines!

2010-08-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

Service Learning and Stem- Engaging Students to Learn

2010-08-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

Wow! Can you believe that summer is almost over? For those of us that live in Minnesota, the Minnesota STATE FAIR signals the end of summer and the start of a new school year. The Fair also has the greatest selection of everything on a stick! It is not for those that are interested in "healthy" food. I must admit, that I savored the corn dog, and dabbled a little with the french fries and cheese curds. It was great! I visited the State Fair on "STEM Education" day. There were many local groups in attendance, promoting STEM based activities. There is quite a buzz around the country that is focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. (STEM) The need for students to take a good look at career fields in these areas is critical. How do we as teachers keep students interested? Studies have shown that girls and at-risk students are highly under represented in the STEM career fields. I have one suggestion. We need to provide Relevancy and Engagement. Girls in particular are easily turned off to the sciences and math- maybe because they don't see how these careers can "make a difference"- an emotional and passionate difference- in the world. At-risk students often lack role models and support to direct them to studies in STEM. We need to provide opportunities for all students to engage in relevant, meaningful activities that tie curricular lessons to the world around us. A student recently told me that in his Chemistry class, they hadn't completed one hands on experience after 6 weeks in the class! Amazing, and sad- opportunity missed. Predictions point to the fact that there will be many career opportunities available surrounding the issues of water. In our new "H2O for Life Tool Kit" we have added curricular connections for teachers to use in classrooms. As the year progresses, we hope that you will send us the great ideas that you are using in your classrooms to teach students about water. Sharing ideas and resources will help all of us provide students with a rich and meaningful educational experience. Once your students are "hooked on water", the global giving increases the passion and the relevancy. Twenty years from now, we hope they remember that they helped students around the world have access to water!

We hope you have chosen a global school partner for your school. If you haven't, it is never too late! Through-out the school year, as you are looking for that one great project for your class- we know that H2O for Life is it! Check out the Generator School Network at nylc.org, and the Semester of Service information coming soon on YSA.org. H2O for Life will be working closely with these two wonderful service-learning organizations. If you have never participated in a service learning activity, now is the time. Find out why many teachers through-out the United States are excited about Service-Learning. We can help you get started. Email us with questions, or please call and talk to one of our staff. We're here to help! Check out the list of available school partners. We need your help to bring WASH projects to schools. Can we count on you?

2010-07-05T22:07:00.000-07:00

2010-07-05T22:04:00.000-07:00

2010-07-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

Traveling with the Blue Legacy Expedition

2010-07-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

Today I have the opportunity to jump on the National Geographic Expedition bus and join Blue Legacy as they leave Minnesota to head to Colorado. The crew with Alexandra Cousteau as the Nat Geo Expedition leader, spent Saturday and Sunday in the Twin Cities interviewing water groups and attending a special tour of the Minnesota Twins Stadium. The Twins Stadium has a fabulous water saving system in place developed by Pentair. Pentair has provide a system that recycles and reuses the water once cleaned. The water is used to clean the stadium, and water the fields, cutting traditional water usage by at least 50%. Quite amazing and innovative! Our thanks to Kevin Smith of the Twins, and Todd Gleason from Pentair for leading the tour on a beautiful Saturday in July! We know how precious these Saturdays are.

Ms. Cousteau also took the time to interview several of our H2O for Life Schools. Students and teachers had an opportunity to tell her about their school projects. There were many wonderful displays.

On Saturday, July 4, H2O for Life attended an event hosted by Blue Legacy at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis. We invited families to make a table top aquifer (the pdf will be available online for a fall science project) and we also provided a World Cup Toilet Bowl event where people tried to kick a soccer ball through a toilet seat. The prize? A photo seated on our PINK toilet seat! We had a few winners. It was not an easy task. Our goal was to remind people that over 2 billion people in the United States don't have access to adequate sanitation.

So.... TodayI had the chance to chat with the photographers, the vidiographers, the sound guy, the production crew and Alexandra Cousteau. They are all amazing and have wonderful stories to tell. I feel very lucky to be able to participate in this wonderful event. The crew includes people from Australia, France, Montana, Oklahoma, DC and New York- and one Minnesotan! We had a great time visiting on the bus. Actually, they all worked hard all day, while I visited!

We are parked for the evening in Kearney, Nebraska. Following a relaxing dinner, several of the crew were back at work, and others like me are on our way to bed. Tomorrow morning, we'll head to Denver where I will exit the bus while they continue to several days of filming in Boulder, CO. H2O for Life hopes to reconnect with Blue Legacy during their 135 day journey through another visit or two, and we also hope to connect some of our schools with Alexandra through Skype to conduct online video opportunities. If you wish to participate, contact m,H2O for Life and we'll work to set this up for your school. (info@h2oforlifeschools.org)
Also, remember, It is time to choose a school partner in a developing country for your next year's H2O for Life project. We hope you are having a wonderful summer.

South Africa after the fact!

2010-06-14T18:10:00.000-07:00

Our last several days in South Africa were a whirlwind. We had a meeting with our partner organizations in South Africa, and toured with Mr. Jonathan Timm of Mvula Trust Organization. He introduced us to an informal settlement area where the need for water, sanitation and hygiene is greatly needed. We visited a Creche- a day care within the settlement area. It is very small, and often provides daycare for 100 children. The children greeted us with beautiful smiles, and all were proud of the fact that it was "Bafana, Bafana day- they had on shirts in support of the team. The vuvuzelas could be heard through-out the area. (loud horns with a buzzing sound) One latrine was available for all to use. Unimaginable! Mvula hopes to bring a pipe into the area to remove the sewage, and provide more water points for the over 15,000 people that live in the area. We hope to be able to help at the day care/pre-school by providing better WASH services. (If you want to help, your donation is greatly appreciated!)

We watched the South Africa/Mexico opening game in a huge "Fan Park" located near our hotel. There were thousands of fans in attendance, and they were very enthusiastic about their South African team. It was fun to share in the excitement of the fans through-out the game. I think most South Africans were ok with a tie, as Mexico was the favored team. The celebration continued to the wee hours of the morning and long after I went to bed the vuvuzelas were still in action. Rumor has it that FIFA is thinking of banning the horns from upcoming games. We'll have to wait to see if that happens.

South Africa is welcoming country, with a rich mixture of people and places to visit. I hope to return and spend time in the rural areas in the future.

Bafana, Bafana (Boys!Boys!)

2010-06-09T13:00:00.000-07:00

Everywhere we go in Johannesburg we hear "Bafana, Bafana"! It means, boys, boys and is used in support of the South African Football Team. (The WORLD CUP SOCCER tournament) People are sporting the gold and green team colors, and blasting on their vuvuzelas (highly obnoxioius horns) The excitement is high for the opening game on Friday.

Yesterday, we had the opportunity to visit a school in a nearby township. The townships were the relocation areas designated for blacks during Apartheid, and although the laws have changed, the poverty and lack of services to these areas still exists. The area of Katalhong is quite large, and the school houses over 1,000 students. A recent project in conjunction with the RAIN Foundation and the South African Department of Education provided piped water and a tank to a block of toilets and hand-washing sinks in a beautiful brick building. There are 8 stalls for girls and 5 stalls for boys plus a urinal area. The facility is a vast improvement for the children and is greatly appreciated. The school also received a water stand-point located on the school grounds. Students now have water to drink at school rather than walking blocks away in the development to reach a common drinking station shared by many, many people. As always, the children were smiling, singing, and wanted us to take their photos.

After visiting the school, we stopped for several hours at the Apartheid Museum. The museum is breath-taking and emotionally draining. The story of Nelson Mandela is told through photos, video clips and quotes from his inspirational speeches. He is truly a great man. He is expected to attend the opening soccer game between South Africa and Mexico on Friday. The people hope he brings them good luck.

We visited a squatters community today. The homes are shacks made of tin and whatever else can be found to pound together. None of the homes have electricity, and very few have access to water other than shared water points placed few and far between. In 2008, the government did provide VIP Pit latrines for every plot of land- the hope is that within the next few years, the houses will be replaced and water and electricity will be available to most. There is not a school close by, which creates problems for many of the children. The "house" we visited consisted of 2 very small rooms for a family of 7.

We moved on to visit Soweto (the name stands for South Western Township). It is the early home of Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and the center for the uprising's of people fighting Apartheid. The area has undergone vast improvements for the World Cup Games -or so we were told. There were many craft booths lining the streets, and many international visitors.

From Soweto, we headed to the 2 year old African Leadership Academy. 179 students from around Africa are chosen to attend the two year program- (similar to the last 2 years of high school in the US). The students represent 38 out of 54 African countries. We were fortunate to have Estella, a 19 year old young lady from Cameroon, take us on a guided tour of the campus. We have a video interview with her that we hope we can share on facebook and our video page next week. We also met a young man, Chernoh, from Sierra Leone. At the age of 13, he wrote a proposal to his government and succeeded to convince them that his school needed water! These young people are amazing. One goal of the Academy is to encourage development of skills needed to be the future leaders of Africa. After meeting Estrella and Chernoh, I think they will succeed!

Tomorrow we meet with our South African Partnerships to discuss plans to help fund 100 school WASH in School projects for South Africa as a lasting Legacy of the World Cup. We know that our H2O for Life Schools can help bring the projects to fruition while forming relationships between students around the world.

Keep in mind, that our youth is the future!

Go USA in the World Cup!

2010-06-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

Hello from South Africa,

After a long flight-21 hours in the air- we arrived to the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg, South Africa. The World Cup Soccer Matches will begin on June 11. Our purpose for this visit is to connect with the RAIN Foundation and the Department of Education of South Africa, to be part of a plan to bring WASH in Schools to 100 schools in SA in honor of the World Cup Event. H2O for Life is thrilled to have the opportunity to connect students in the US with students in South Africa as part of our role in these projects. (Each school project will require $2000 per school in H2O for Life School partnerships- total cost of each project will be around $40,000 per school- we have highly leveraged funds!) The RAIN foundation and the Government of South Africa value the student to student connection, and we do too)

We are currently spending time near the Limpopo District. We hope to visit several schools, and take in some of the local sights.

We hope to have more information as the week progresses, and we also hope to be able to share interesting facts about South Africa and the World Cup.

Visit to South Africa

2010-06-02T10:58:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, June 3, Val Johnson and I leave for Johannesburg, South Africa to meet with the RAIN Foundation, Global Water Challenge, Coca-Cola Africa and the Department of Education for South Africa. In conjunction with the World Cup Soccer Tournament, our groups are working together to fund water, sanitation and hygiene for 100 schools in South Africa over the next 3 years. It is a fabulous opportunity for H2O for Life Schools. Each school is targeted to receive approximately a $40,000 intervention to improve the water source, provide toilets and sanitaton, and implement hygiene education curriculum and hand-washing stations. H2O for Life is being asked to contribute $2000 per school! That is phenomenal. We hope to facilitate pen-pal connections, photo exchanges and other activities to provide student to student connections. Now is your chance to get in on the ground floor of this wonderful initiative, and choose a school partner in South Africa for next school year.

We will post photos of schools, and other interesting sites that we visit while in South Africa on this exploratory trip.

We hope all of you enjoy what is left of the school year, and as they say in South Africa- Cheers!

Webinar

2010-05-05T10:39:00.000-07:00

Update: May 5, 2010
Today H2O for Life participated in a Webinar presentation from the National Youth Leadership Council headquarters in Minnesota. H2O for Life President, Patty Hall, was joined by students Obi Obikwelu, Lauren Johnson, Drew Tangren, and teacher Laurie Tangren to share experiences about their service learning projects. If you were not able to join us live, please visit: www.nylc.org and their Generator School Network for more information.
During the summer months, H2O for Life in conjunction with National Geographic is working to design specific “water” curriculum. We would like to hear from you! What topics interest you? We would welcome your feedback. Contact us at: info@h2oforlifeschools.org

H2O for Life update

2010-04-15T07:54:00.000-07:00

H2O for Life has been busy attending educational conferences in the past few weeks. At the National Youth Leadership Council’s conference for Service Learning in San Jose, CA, H2O for Life participated in 5 engaging break- out sessions, and were instrumental in bringing “The Lost Boys of Sudan” to the podium as keynote speakers.
We’d like to thank Waunakee Middle School from WI, and Centennial High School from MN for participating in our first video-conferencing experience. It was great fun to hear from all the students while sitting in San Jose, CA. We also participated in our first Webinar and hope to do more presentations via computer in the future. You can tune in!
Phillipe Cousteau from Earth Echo, Lee Lysne from the Kind World Foundation, S.K. Duffs service learning specialist from Hoboken, Emily Crossette, student from Abington HS and Patty Hall, from H2O for Life spoke on a Thought Leaders Panel about the issues surrounding water. There were many interesting comments!

Last week, H2O for Life attended the National Catholic Education Conference in Minneapolis, MN. We were joined by teacher Mary Burke and Principal Judi Halli from Holy Spirit School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The ladies were articulate and highly entertaining as they enthralled the crowd with stories from their project experiences this past year. (The God Squad, Denim for Digging etc.)

The school year is heading to a close. Remember to organize your events, and help fund your partner school project!

World Water Day

2010-03-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

H2O for Life attended and was among the speakers to address the assembly at the World Water Day Event held in DC on March 22.

US Secretary of State Joins High-level Coalition to Mark World Water Day and Stress Urgency of Ensuring Access to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries Coalition of nearly 30 organizations from the public and private sectors, including foundations and faith leaders, announce unprecedented call for action to raise awareness and spur stronger commitments to address the global water crisis.

Washington, DC—Today is World Water Day and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton joined Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero, Congressman Earl Blumenauer, former US Ambassador to the Organization of American States Hattie Babbitt, National Geographic Society Chairman Gil Grosvenor, former Environmental Protection Agency Administrator and Global Water Challenge Chairman Bill Reilly and other key private-sector, foundation, faith and nongovernmental organization leaders along with Kenna, the Grammy-nominated artist behind Summit on the Summit, to call for immediate action to ensure access to safe, clean water and improved sanitation in the developing world. They convened at “Uniting for Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation,” an event at the National Geographic Society, which kicked off two days of World Water Day activities in Washington, DC.

At a time when one in six people worldwide does not have access to safe drinking water and two in five people lack access to basic sanitation, the water crisis is among the most pressing issues the global community faces—affecting health, child survival, gender equity, education, the environment, poverty and political security. While many factors—climate change, geography, poor water systems, lack of infrastructure and failed policies—have contributed, the fact remains that billions of people worldwide do not have access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. “In an era of increasing scarcity, ensuring access to safe drinking water and sanitation for the world’s poor is critical,” said US Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global AffairsMaria Otero. “We must understand water’s implications for food security, peace and conflict, particularly in regions of increasing shortage.”

Today, the impact of the global water crisis can be seen most clearly in the women and children of the developing world. Children are the most susceptible to water, sanitation and hygiene-related illness, which factors into nearly all of the major causes of child death, including diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition. Beyond the health impact, women and young girls often bear the economic and educational costs, since they are most likely to spend their time collecting and transporting water for their families. Millions of school-age children are also affected, as more than one-half of all primary schools in developing countries do not provide safe water and nearly two-thirds lack basic sanitation.

“We cannot wait to improve access to water and sanitary conditions for future generations,” said Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Goodwill Ambassador for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Africa, in a video address. “Water and sanitation are fundamental to overall human development and both play a critical role in achieving all eight Millennium Development Goals by 2015. Safe water and sanitation improve health, advance education, reduce poverty and drive economic growth.”“Water is the most pressing issue of our time,” said Gil Grosvenor, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Geographic Society. “It’s time we do something about it with solutions available today.”

In addition to the US government’s efforts, Ed Cain, Vice President of Grant Programs at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and Guy Laliberté, founder of Cirque du Soleil and ONE DROP, announced new commitments to water and sanitation at the National Geographic event co-hosted by Water Advocates and the National Geographic Society. The event is to be followed by a series of high-level roundtable discussions at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. They aim to generate strategies to improve water, sanitation and hygiene programs and to increase capacity to address global challenges.

To mark World Water Day 2010, a diverse coalition of nearly 30 US-based organizations came together in two days of activities to raise awareness and call for stronger commitments and more robust action to ensure universal access to safe water and sanitation everywhere they are needed."I have seen first-hand the debilitating issue of the global clean water crisis. The statistics are obvious. Water is interconnected with every major issue that the world faces. It should be the number one focus of everything we do,” said Kenna, musician and philanthropist. “My father almost fell victim to the water crisis when he was born without clean water being available in Ethiopia. If he had died, then I wouldn't be here." Today’s activities will be followed by World Water Advocacy Day on Tuesday, March 23. Advocates from across the country will come together to call on Congress to increase support for sustainable water, sanitation, hygiene and child health programs. Senator John Kerry, Representative Jim McGovern and Mandy Moore, PSI Ambassador, singer-songwriter and actress, will join the effort. The day will include a Congressional briefing, “The Ripple Effect of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene on Global Health and Development,” lead by experts including Alexandra Cousteau, board member, Global Water Challenge; Dr. Greg Allgood, director, Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program, P&G; Dr. Merri Weinger, program manager, Hygiene Improvement, USAID Bureau for Global Heath; Dr. Koki Agarwal, director, Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program, Jhpiego; and Dr. Eric Mintz, team lead, Global WASH Epidemiology, Waterborne Diseases Prevention Branch, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It will be followed by an attempt to form the world’s longest toilet queue—part of a global effort to raise awareness around the need for safe water and improved sanitation.

World Water Day

2010-03-11T16:02:00.000-08:00

World Water Day is March 22. H2O for Life is invited to Washington DC to speak at a World Water Day event being held at the National Geographic Auditorium, sponsored by Water Advocates. Co-founders Patty Hall and Val Johnson will share the stage with high school senior, Emily Crossette. Emily has been an integral part of the H2O for Life group at Abington High School, PA for the past three years. Emily is also on the H2O for Life student advisory board. She is thrilled to be speaking about her history with H2O for Life. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also be speaking- We are among great company! Support World Water Day- Do something to make a “splash” on WWD.

The American School in London

2010-02-08T13:14:00.000-08:00

Below is a summary of what we, The American School in London, have been doing to raise money. It was written by a grade 6 student. This is a picture of the bulletin board where the students wrote down what they did to conserve water.

"Grade six has been saving water for the past two months to raise money for a school in India. We have saved water in many ways including: shortening showers, saving our toilet flushes and turning off the water when brushing our teeth. We recorded all our water savings on charts. We have been doing this to raise money for the Jasola village school, a girl’s school, who don’t have clean water or bathrooms. For every liter we saved we would donate a little money (about a pound) and put it in a water jug. Our plan is to put pipes into the school, which will carry clean water and plumbing so the school can be a better place. In flex class we are studying different problems with water such as water borne disease and water shortages. In our groups we will create public service announcements on our water issues to present at an assembly."

Check out more stories and become a "fan" on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/h2oforlife?ref=mf

Students perform at MLK/Water for Haiti Performance

2010-01-19T18:54:00.000-08:00

Hoboken Charter School- water for Haiti/MLK day

2010-01-19T18:05:00.000-08:00

The article below recently appeared in the "Hoboken Patch" newspaper. Mr. S.K. Duff, a teacher at Hoboken Charter School is no stranger to H2O for Life. He and his school have participated for the past 2 years with H2O for Life, raising funds for a school in Kenya last year, and have recently completed fund-raising for a school in Uganda. Hoboken School under the leadership of Mr. Duff, the rest of the wonderful staff, and students takes service learning seriously. They strive to make a difference in many ways in their local community and their global world. Many schools around the country are "digging deep for water" for Haiti, and are also continuing to support chosen projects for other schools in need of water supported by H2O for Life. There is much to be done, but together we can all make our world a wonderful place for EVERYONE!
Please support the efforts in Haiti, but don't lose sight of the fact that there are many schools around the world desperate for water. You can help be the solution!

Editor Claire Moses: clairem@patch.com

Hoboken Community Gathers for MLK Celebration

The event was organized by the Hoboken Charter School, but involved many organizations in the community
By Claire Moses

The students of the Mustard Seed School perform during Monday's celebration of Martin Luther King Day in Hoboken.

All Saints Episcopal Church was jam packed yesterday, as the Hoboken Community celebrated the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King during its annual Sing Out For Justice concert.
Hundreds of parents and involved community members attended to listen to the children of the Mustard Seed School, Hoboken Charter School and individual performers.

"We're embracing the diversity of the community in honor of Martin Luther King," said
S.K. Duff, director of service learning at the Hoboken Charter School.
All the proceeds — Starbucks coffee, coffee cake and cookies, and cover charge — went to relief efforts for Haiti. Around 6 p.m. last night, more than $700 was raised.

"This year has a special meaning," said Hoboken Charter High School Principal Ria Grosvenor, "reiterated by the tragedy in Haiti."

Those who attended the concert, which started promptly at 4 p.m. and lasted more than two hours, said this one was the most energetic one to date.
On Friday Hoboken Charter School organized the annual Martin Luther King Day march on Washington Street. This concert formed as the crown on the school's efforts to educate its students on civil rights, community service and diversity, said Duff.
Duff delivered a speech, students from the Mustard Seed School joined in with students from Hoboken Charter School and performed the entrance procession, singing "Sweet Chariot."
Other songs performed were "A Change is Gonna Come," "Heavenly Day," and "I Shall Be Released."

On the sides of the church, which was too crowded to move around in, were tables showcasing the students' work and tables where kids could do activities.

Councilman-at-Large David Mello attended with his wife and daughter.
"I just thought I'd check it out," he said. "It's great."
Members of the Hoboken clergy were also in attendance. Rabbi Robert Scheinberg of the United Hoboken Synagogue stopped by, as well as Reverend Geoffrey Curtiss, president of the All Saints Community and Service Development Corporation.

The constant buzz of playing kids and chatting parents did not make most forget the reason why they came to the event — to celebrate civil rights and a diverse community.
"It's a nice way to celebrate what Dr. Martin Luther King stood for on a complete community level," prinicpal Grosvenor said.

2010-01-09T09:52:00.000-08:00

H2O for Life is proud to partner with Mr. David Kuria. David has devised a new system for "toilets". We are working to fund his system "Iko toilets" for 10 schools located in Kenya. Rotary International is supportive of this project. If your school, or Rotary club would like to get involved and help make this happen, please contact H2O for Life. The story below tells of the sanitation crisis, and what we need to do to help save lives. Changing sanitation in schools makes a huge difference in the lives of children.

Nowhere to go
by Rose George The Rotarian -- January 2010

I n the bustling main street at the entrance to Shanti Nagar, off Mumbai’s western expressway, men in suits go about their business. Women carry containers, hurrying to fill them in the two hours that water comes through the taps.
The shopkeepers and doctors and quacks and barbers do a brisk trade. It looks and sounds like any Indian street – only narrower and darker – and looking in, perhaps you wonder what makes Shanti Nagar a slum. So you turn around and see, on the dusty roadside, as the cars zoom past, a series of little children’s bottoms, perched nakedly and shamelessly in public, defecating with composure. After the children jump up and scamper down the embankment, disappearing back into the slum, you notice that the roadside is dotted with feces, as far down as you can see.

The 4,000 people who live in Shanti Nagar share one community toilet block, with 26 stalls. You’ll have to ask directions if you want to see it, because smell is no guide when the whole place stinks, and when you can easily be lost down the dim passageways, where you stumble clumsily and where kind hands occasionally reach out to guide your head away from an overhanging tin roof, or to move you out of the way of a pile of filth. Shanti Nagar is definitely a slum, because to live in a slum is to live among excrement, and this place has plenty of it.
This may be horrifying, but it is not extreme. In fact, Shanti Nagar’s appalling sanitation is normal. It must be, when 2.6 billion of the world’s people have no sanitation facilities whatsoever, not even a bucket or a box. If they’re lucky, as in slums such as Kibera, Kenya, they might have a plastic bag to defecate into, which they then tie and throw (hence the nickname “helicopter toilets”). That’s a luxury. But 4 in 10 of the planet’s people have no private or hygienic facilities to do their business in.

Driving through the Indian countryside at dusk – through settlements with decent enough houses, functioning shops, and cell phone kiosks everywhere – you can see, on leaving a village, people squatting on the side of the road, clasping a lota (water vessel) with which to cleanse themselves. Elderly women try to hold their saris over their private parts while simultaneously covering their faces. “Ten years ago,” says Indian sanitation activist Joe Madiath, “she would have jumped up at every passing car. Now there are too many. She can’t be up and down like a yo-yo.”

Weapon of mass destruction
Why does it matter? It’s not simply a dereliction of dignity. Human waste is a highly efficient weapon of mass destruction. Feces can carry 50 communicable diseases, including cholera, hepatitis, and schistosomiasis. Where people have poor or no sanitation, human excrement gets tramped into living environments on people’s feet and carried in on fingers. It finds its way into food and drink, with desperate consequences. Diarrhea – 90 percent of which is caused by contaminated food or water – kills up to two million people a year, most of them children. It kills more children under five than AIDS, tuberculosis, or malaria. In graphic terms, diarrhea’s death toll is equivalent to two jumbo jets full of children dying every four hours, or one child every 15 seconds. Several have died in the time it has taken you to read this far. Read that sentence again, and there’s another one gone.

Diarrhea is the reason you can find a malnourished child in a well-fed family. Feed a child a high-protein biscuit by all means, but it will be of little use if she can’t keep it in. Diarrhea also affects vaccination efforts. Polio immunization workers sometimes need to administer the oral vaccine 10 times instead of once, because diarrhea washes it straight out again, or because a child’s immune system is already overwhelmed with fighting the pathogens in unsanitary environments. Nor is that all. Respiratory tract infections, the No. 1 killer of children, are also linked to poor sanitation, as they can be spread by unwashed hands.
The breadth and depth of the destruction caused by poor sanitation is stunning, but no more so than the way sanitation continues to be neglected, by donors and by politicians. Almost 90 percent of water and sanitation budgets in developing countries goes to providing clean water, even though a good latrine reduces diarrhea by 36 percent (clean water only reduces it by 20 percent).

Poor sanitation is linked to a quarter of all child deaths, but money still flows more readily to more fashionable diseases and causes. In Madagascar, less than 0.1 percent of the population is estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS, and in 2007, UNAIDS found that there were too few AIDS deaths to estimate. Yet HIV/AIDS receives five times more funding there than sanitation, though diarrhea kills 14,000 Madagascan children every year.

There are all sorts of reasons sanitation continues to be treated like dirt. Nobody protests about it, for a start. Not even in great cities such as London, where 40 percent of public toilets have closed in the last decade, or New York, where it’s an achievement to find a toilet without having to buy a coffee or a muffin first. Ronnie Kasrils, previously proud to be known as South Africa’s minister for toilets (his official title was water affairs and forestry minister), says, “No one wants to talk about [human waste], do they? I’d go to public meetings, and no one ever says, ‘You know, man, I’m sick and tired of this disgusting latrine I’ve got.’”
"Diarrhea is the reason you can find a malnourished child in a well-fed family."
The flush toilet may be to blame. The wonderful disposal device did an excellent job of separating us from our potentially cholera-laden waste, but it also flushed sanitation out of the conversation. Yet language is crucial if one of the world’s biggest unaddressed public health crises is to get the attention it needs.

In the 1980s, the Indian government installed hundreds of thousands of new latrines. But those highly subsidized facilities went unused – at least for their intended purpose. Maybe because they were nicer than people’s houses, so they were turned into extra storage space, or temples. Maybe because people didn’t want a latrine near their house, or because they liked to stroll to the woods after eating. Either way, the government learned a lesson that is resonating throughout the sanitation world today: Toilets, and toilet behavior, is never just about the hardware. The software – human psychology and language – is critical.

Take Samiapalli. This village in the Indian state of Orissa was typical, riven by caste problems and wracked by serious alcohol abuse and domestic violence. There was no sanitation; rather, open defecation in nearby woods and along roadsides was the norm. Today – although it took 162 meetings to get everyone to agree (and to contribute to the cost) – everybody has access to a latrine, a bathing room, and running water. With the confidence gained through those 162 meetings, village women kicked out the illegal alcohol brewers and tied the most persistently violent men to a lamppost. Eighty percent more girls now go to school, according to the village leader. Women earn money by growing peanuts and selling other goods at market with the free time they’ve gained from no longer having to spend hours finding somewhere private to do their business, or to fetch cripplingly heavy water. The incidence of diarrhea has dropped dramatically.

“It’s the hardest entry point,” says Madiath, whose nongovernmental organization, Gram Vikas, helped bring the toilet revolution to Samiapalli. “But once you succeed in getting people to talk about sanitation, you can do anything.” In other words, sanitation isn’t a symptom of development. It can be a trigger for it.
Sanitation is also a bargain. Every dollar invested in it reaps an eightfold return, because people spend less on health costs and miss fewer days of work. In a 2008 report, the World Bank calculated that poor sanitation cost Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam 1.3 to 7.2 percent of their gross domestic product. When Peru had a cholera outbreak in 1991, tourism and agricultural losses amounted to three times more than what it would have cost to invest in proper sanitation over the previous decade. And as a disease-prevention mechanism, sanitation is hard to beat, in either effectiveness or price. Treatment of lower acute respiratory illnesses in children under five costs as much as US$264 per DALY (disability-adjusted life year, a standard health prevention unit of calculation). Sanitation costs $11. Hygiene promotion costs $3.
Gram Vikas and the villagers of Samiapalli are not alone. Countless foot soldiers, with little public support and no public champion, are trying to change things. There is Wang Ming Ying, a tiny Chinese woman who is trying to get rural villagers to install household bio-gas digesters, which convert latrine waste into cooking gas and thus lessen deforestation. There is Jack Sim, founder of the World Toilet Organization, a man who jokes that the world can talk about eating – he calls this “uploading” – so it should be able to talk about downloading too. There is Willem-Alexander, Prince of Orange and heir apparent to the Dutch throne, who heads the UN Secretary General’s Advisory Board on Water and Sanitation. And there is David Kuria, a member of the Rotary Club of Nairobi-Langata who works in the Kibera slum, installing community toilets to cut down on those awful helicopter versions.

Toilet appeal
An architect, Kuria worked in the civil service before turning to toilet provision. The change made perfect sense to him. “I understood that the biggest stimuli for development were water and sanitation,” he says. If they’re in place, then education, public health, and all aspects of livelihood improve – this is widely known. Kuria’s innovation was to understand that toilets have to appeal to people. “Toilets aren’t in people’s top priorities,” he says. “They should be, so what’s the problem? I realized it’s about the way we package a toilet’s social aspects.” To this end, he built a community toilet near Kenya’s parliament building, then persuaded politicians to hold meetings inside the new facility. Music plays, and there is a snack bar. “People told me that was taboo. They said no one would eat food prepared near a toilet. Now there are queues for the snacks.” Kuria also has plans for a “toilet reality show,” where contestants will travel the country in search of good toilets and recommend appropriate solutions for schools and neighborhoods.

Soap manufacturers learned how to market hygiene products over a century ago. Like Kuria, they realized that people don’t usually respond to health messages. Manufacturers never got anywhere by telling people that soap made them more hygienic. Only when their product was sold as sexy did sales flourish. Research in Benin, meanwhile, found that even mothers who see their children suffer again and again from diarrhea aren’t receptive to health advice. No one likes to be nagged. Instead, the mothers said that one of the main motivations for installing a latrine was learning that Benin’s royal family had them.
In some ways, these are exciting times in the sanitation world. The International Year of Sanitation was 2008. The Prince of Orange is a sensible man with access to powerful ears. In 2005, the United States passed the Water for the Poor Act and put real money behind it, mandating that at least $300 million a year go toward water and sanitation.
But the foot soldiers – princes and paupers – need more help than that. Despite the vast benefits that good sanitation can bring, according to Kasrils it was only reluctantly included as a target in the UN Millennium Development Goals, even though failing to meet that target would have domino effects on at least three other goals. A girl dying of diarrhea won’t go to school (Goal 2, achieve universal primary education), or be properly nourished (Goal 1, eradicate extreme poverty and hunger), or be alive past the age of five (Goal 4, reduce child mortality).
And yet few politicians dare to kick up a stink about sanitation. Kasrils was an exception, and he only saw the light because a cholera epidemic taught him that supplying clean water wasn’t much use when people were defecating near it or into it because they had no latrines.

Sanitation sorely needs a new champion. Step up, then, celebrities who happily promote a clean and shiny water faucet in a dusty village, with a photogenic child in tow, but don’t bother to take the few steps over to the latrine that has enabled that child to go back to school and prolonged her life. Sanitation, after all, was voted the best medical advance since 1840, over antibiotics and vaccines, by the knowledgeable readers of the British Medical Journal. Kuria says, “The toilet is at the heart of everything.” Yet still children die from plain and simple diarrhea, because we think sanitation is a dirty word.

Baltimore Highlands H2O project

2009-12-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

Last year, Baltimore Highlands Elementary school in Baltimore, Maryland funded an H2O for Life project at Rutunguru school in Tnungamo, Uganda. This past fall, a singing and dancing group from Uganda visited Baltimore Highlands to say thank you! Please take a look at the video to learn how the school implemented the H2O for Life partnership in their school. Congratulations Katie Mahoney, staff and students at Baltimore Highlands Elementary. Your school has helped change lives for students at Rutunguru school in Uganda! Keep up the fantastic work.

Action equals Results!!

2009-10-30T17:04:00.000-07:00

Centennial Middle School, located in Lino Lakes, MN. recently received photos of a completed WASH project in Bangladesh. Centennial Middle School has partnered with H2O for Life for the past two years, and is continuing the partnership this year. Teachers, Mark Domschot, and Chris Ripken from Centennial High School visited Uganda and Kenya to visit completed H2O for Life projects in August. The middle school has raised over $25,000 in the past two years to complete projects in Kenya, Nicaragua, Bolivia and Bangladesh. This year, they are working to fund a WASH project in Ntungamo, Uganda, a community area that Mr. Domschot visited.

Several days ago, H2O for Life received completed photos from Centennial's partner school in Bangladesh. The school quickly developed a power point presentation to share the good news with their school. Please take a moment and view a few of the photos. Congratulations, Centennial Middle School! Your school has changed the lives of many students around the world. We hope it has also changed how YOU view the world!

2009-10-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

Last year, I received this article from "Phoenix" of Forest Lake, Minnesota. The article was accompanied by a one hundred dollar check that she won for submitting this story. Thanks Phoenix for writing a great and passionate article about H2O for Life and the water crisis. You have shown, once again, that one person can make a difference!

By Phoenix Forest Lake, MN
About Phoenix » More by this contributor »

The Gift of Life
submitted by Rebecca Harwell!

Americans are spoiled. It’s a fact. Today, teens have everything we want (except that perfect date for the prom). We don’t even stop to think that many aren’t so fortunate. And, if we do, we assume that someone is helping them and their problems will be solved soon enough. Anyway, what can one kid do? I’m going to tell you about a problem that millions of people face every day. It’s up to you to do the rest.You come home from a grueling soccer practice, and all you want to do is drink up Lake Superior and flop into bed. So, you go to the kitchen, pour yourself a huge glass of water, and guzzle it down. What if you had to walk six miles to a well for that drink? And carry back a heavy jug of water. And, after that, when you’re about to collapse from thirst, you open the jug and find the filthiest water imaginable. There are little bugs floating in the brown water, and it smells horrible. However, you’re dying of thirst and this is all you’ve got, so you drink up. I’m guessing that has never happened to you or anyone you know. But it’s life for millions of children. Africa is the second largest continent, home to 922 million people. It’s also the poorest and most underdeveloped continent. Thirty-six percent of the population of Africa lives on less than $1 per day. That’s less than a bottle of soda costs. With this dollar, they have to feed their families, which can include several generations. These people can’t afford wells for every household like we can. They don’t even have wells for all the schools.This means that every day, people – generally children – have to walk several miles to get a couple of gallons of dirty water for their family. They know that the water is bad for them, but it’s all they’ve got. They must drink it or die of thirst. It’s not just drinking the water that hurts these people. Most villages have open sewage, which means waste ends up in the streets. Animals, including livestock, drink this filthy, diseased water. If an animal gets sick and then people eat it, they can get sick too. Most African markets are outdoors, some right by sewage. Flies buzz around the debris, eating and drinking their fill and laying eggs on the food people then eat. These unsanitary conditions are causing many preventable diseases in Africa. Illnesses that aren’t a big deal here are deadly there. For example, diarrhea kills 3.3 million people, 800,000 of them children, every year in Africa. It’s caused by parasites found in dirty water, along with dehydration. Trachoma is another preventable disease that isn’t necessarily deadly, but is extremely painful. With trachoma, your eyelashes slowly turn inward, causing extreme pain and blindness. This disease has blinded approximately seven million people. It can be spread through body contact and flies. Another illness that you’re probably familiar with is malaria, which is caused by disease-ridden mosquitoes. They need a place to lay their eggs, and the open sewage fits the bill. Half the world’s population is at risk for malaria, and 3,000 people die from it every day. That’s over a million a year. And these are just a few of the diseases that ravage Africa, all because of dirty water. This past year, my school held a fundraiser. This wasn’t the normal kind where you sell magazine subscriptions or calendars to earn money for the school. This fundraiser changed lives. We sponsored a school in Mozambique and raised $9,100 to build a well. A well actually costs twice that, but an organization called H2O for Life found government programs to match the amount we raised. Together, we gave the gift of life to that school. If the cogs in your head are moving and this sounds good to you, then talk to your principal or a teacher about getting your school involved in H2O for Life. It’s a way to get everyone to help. Or recruit a couple of buddies and start raising money yourself. Do a carwash, a bake sale, or sell lemonade on the side of the road. So, you have the money – now what? It probably isn’t enough to build a well, but who cares? Every penny counts. You can donate on the H2O for Life website. They graciously accept even the smallest amount (but try to give at least $20). You can find more facts about Africa’s water situation at h2oforlifeschooltoschool.org.I hope I got through to you about the terrible problems people face when they don’t have clean water. You can do something about it. I am trying to convince my church to sponsor an African school. When my school started our fundraiser, we watched a short video about a celebrity who went to Africa. He was shocked by what he saw, and so was I. But, the thing about that movie that I’ll never forget was when he visited a school that had just gotten a well. The kids were so excited, not because the movie star was there, but because there was a new flush toilet – something we completely take for granted. Think about that, and look at your life. What if you got excited whenever you poured a glass of water or flushed a toilet? It’s these small things that are the true gifts of life.

This piece has also been published in Teen Ink's monthly magazine.

H2O for Life is focusing on Water because...

2009-10-28T12:18:00.000-07:00

I recently read the article posted below about the amount of money spent in developing countries, particularly in Africa, to combat HIV/AIDS while ignoring other mounting health issues. It is time to spend funds wisely and focus on other health issues that are more prevelant than AIDS. As always, thank you to all H2O for Life schools for your participation in combatting the water, sanitation and hygiene issues facing schools around the world.

Experts want African aid funds channelled away from HIVFocus on Aids, they say, has led to neglect of other fatal conditions killing young children

Alex Duval Smith The Observer, Sunday 25 October 2009

Top scientists are demanding a controversial overhaul of health spending in Africa, arguing that the billions of pounds targeted at HIV during the past 20 years have led to a neglect of other killer diseases and basic health problems such as diarrhoea.

Developed countries poured $13.2bn (£8.2bn) last year into efforts to combat HIV, chiefly for Africa, up from $480m in 1996. But only eight countries, all in southern Africa, remain in the grip of a severe Aids crisis, while World Health Organisation data show that five of the biggest killers in Africa are illnesses that affect children under the age of five.

Childhood diarrhoea kills an estimated 1.5 million children under five each year worldwide – at least half of them in Africa – although it is easily treatable with zinc tablets that cost little more than $2 each. Diarrhoea received less than 5% of worldwide research and treatment funding last year.

Daniel Halperin, an HIV epidemiology researcher at the Harvard Medical School of Public Health, said: "There has generally been a misalignment from the donors. It is time for a rethink. Many people in the west believe all Africans are impoverished and infected with HIV. Yet the reality is that most countries have stable HIV prevalence of less than 3%. What most people really need are things such as clean water and family planning. Even tuberculosis and malaria get far less money than HIV. In some cases these sectors have inadvertently been hurt by the focus on HIV."

One of Africa's leading health economists, Alan Whiteside, who is director of the Health Economics and HIV/Aids Research Division at the University of KwaZulu Natal, said the flood of donations towards the battle against Aids had also created the conditions for widespread misuse of the funds. Whiteside played a prominent role in bringing the southern African Aids epidemic to the world's attention in the 1990s. He has also advised the United Nations and Aids2031 – an international expert group set up to chart the best route to tackle Aids in advance of the 50th anniversary of the first report of the illness.

"The lure of Aids money has led in some African countries to large-scale corruption," he said, "and the establishment of non-government organisations as an industry. The achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals by 2015 depends on us getting our focus on Aids right.

"Where those goals are missed by the widest margins, Aids will have been responsible. The focus on treatment has distracted us from prevention. Solutions need to be tailored to the situation in each country. Money needs to be reallocated based on what we know now, not what we knew then."
submitted by:
Patty Hall
H2O for Life

2009-10-11T07:12:00.000-07:00

Reflections of our Journey-Water is Life

2009-10-11T06:55:00.000-07:00

I am never at a loss for words. Never. I always have something to say. However, given the assignment of writing a short recap of the trip that my colleagues and I took to Uganda and Kenya, I find myself struggling to do justice to the experience given the limitations of words. We spent nearly five weeks visiting completed and future H2O for Life projects. We were witness to the impact of the work that our U.S. students have on the lives of students who now have ready access to clean water at school along with new, clean and private latrines and education to learn the importance of hand washing and safe hygiene practices.

We visited nearly 30 different schools and we were treated like royalty by gracioius children at each location. We heard wonderful testimony of the impact of new latrines and clean water and participated in ribbon cutting ceremonies, dances, songs and enjoyed the smiles and enthusiasm of thousands of children. Like our American students, they are curious, happy and enjoy attending school.

We also witnessed devastation. Kenya is going through a two year drought and the land is very dry. Girls are being released from school at noon so that they have enough time to fetch water for home before dark. They must find and carry water to school each morning. Water tanks sit empty not only because of the lack of rain but also due to an inadequate number of tanks to store water during such dry times. Many latrines are full, lack doors or are non-existent.

We hope your school or organization will be interested in joining us in a rewarding and educational service-learning project. We must remind you that there is much work to be done to bring WASH projects to schools. (water, sanitation and hygiene education) Students will see the impact that they can make through the smiles on the faces of their fellow students around the world. At every location we visited we were reminded of a constant theme, "Water is Life." Maybe those are the words that do justice to describe our trip. Water is Life!

Val Johnson

We invite YOU to share a story or comment for our blog. Submit your blog to info@h2oforlifeschools.org Pictures to accompany the story are welcome!

2009-09-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

Meetings at the Heron

2009-09-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

The Heron Hotel has proven to be a central meeting place for our water discussions. Today a Member of Parliament (equivalent to a US Senator) from the Nyarbari Chache constituency paid us a visit. He and several of his staff told us about the need for sanitation and water storage in their area. It is truly a small world. Nine years ago, my daughter, my mother and I worked on a volunteer project in his area. In fact, he lives within 3 kilometers of where we were working at that time.
We hope there may be several school projects that blossom out of our meeting today.

Directly following that meeting, we met with the Water for All Organization based in Nairobi. They shared information about several projects that they have completed that look very promising. They focus on rainwater catchment with a unique sanitation system that on paper looks great. We need to do more investigating.

After meetings through-out the day, we are looking forward to tearing apart our suitcases and re-organizing all of the things we have gathered on this month long journey. Tomorrow will be our last full day in Kenya and once again we have a full schedule of meetings. Although it will be somewhat sad to end our journey, we are also looking forward to returning to Minnesota to family and friends.

The motto of today is: Kunywa maji safi. Drink clean water!!

2009-09-12T13:30:00.000-07:00