Monday, March 21, 2011
Speed Volunteering by Irondale High School
Celebrate World Water Day!
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:
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.
- 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!"
Saturday, March 19, 2011
"Running Dry"- A look at the Global Water Crisis
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.
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
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
Monday, March 14, 2011
Spotlight on Village Schools International!
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.
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.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Whittier and Heber Hunt are popping with ideas!
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!
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
