For One Another Happenings

Water Project - Destination: Ecuador

2012-02-04T18:49:00.001-05:00

After all of the fundraising and preparing for this trip we were finally ready and on our way. Please remember that we are just the deliverers of what everyone has helped put together. We are so grateful for the efforts of so many to make this project possible.

So Stephanie Beckman and I left LAX on the 29th at 9am and arrived in Quito at 11:15pm. After getting through customs (big sigh of relief) we were greeted by Stephanie Peterson and Eduardo Sandoval. By the time we got through customs it was 12:30. It was late and we were all tired. We dropped Stef P off in Quito and we heading to the coast for a good 4 hour drive. It wasn´t raining too bad but the roads have been ruined by the bad rain so it was quite the ride to Quininde. Eduardo worked with me at the orphanage in Quito so we had a lot to catch up on. We chatted for an hour and then Steph B and I tried sleeping throught the intense moments of driving through the windy roads.

We arrived safely after 4am in Quininde where we stayed and didn´t wake up till 2pm. haha! We were so tired. The next day we met Yanin (social worker in Quininde) and went to the community to view and meet the people. We agreed it would be best to stay in the community and get to know the people and water situation there. We were humbled and delighted to stay with a lady named Maria. The whole town and community had helped build her a new small concrete tilt up house after her old bamboo house burned to the ground. Her house burned down just 8 months ago and her husband and baby of 1 year 6 months were both inside. They both died in the fire. It is truly a heartbreaking story. She told us that having us stay with her helped her not feel so lonely and she was so glad to have us. I will tell you more about her later. Her house didn´t have a bathroom so we used the house next door. We did not shower the whole time we were there partly because of fear of malaria and dengue and there was no running water in the homes. The river was a dirty mess and it still amazes me that people were drinking straight from the river. So glad that we were able to help several families recieve clean water.

On 2-1-2012 we had a meeting at the school with the families that were recieving the water filters. Stephanie P was able to be there with us to help with the project that day. We did a very basic introduction of the filters and showed each family how to put them together and clean the filter. We were able to meet with each family later the next day and talk in depth about their water situation and see them using their filters in their own homes. I will discuss more on that later. It was truly an amazing experience in so many ways.

Everyone was so grateful for the help as many truly understand how bad their dirty water is effecting them. We gave them a solution that will change their lives and their families. It was amazing! More info to follow... Thanks to everyone for the support! You have come with us on this project in our hearts. I feel your support and prayers and love going with me to each of the places we go. - Carrie

2012-01-26T11:03:00.002-05:00

WE MADE A TOTAL SO FAR ON THE COIN DRIVE OF $1,166.12!!! THAT IS AMAZING! COINS FOR CLEAN WATER! THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE BLESSING! A SPECIAL THANKS TO Michelle Bustos - Jullian and Tobey, Roy & Anne Ingram - Adriel & Kati, Robyn King and girls, Julie Bowling - Colton, KK, Madi, Shawna Payton - Broghan, Kylie, Rosie Tarwater, Beth Spence - Cole and Tristen, Crystal Bauman and kiddos, Erika Morey & kiddos, Innerwork Mortgage with Meghan Wood and Justin Johnson, Lincoln Fire Department, Bri Spence, Shannon Payton - Koda, Robin Silski's 7th & 8th grade class, Jim Siebert with Vitek Mortgage, Debbie Newton, Property Management Partners with Barry Mathis, East Wind Yoga, Priscilla & Mark Bowin & Jen Klein. AND THE COINS KEEP COMING IN... GREAT JOB EVERYONE!

Because of all of the amazing support with the coin drive and donations we will be installing a water filtration system into an orphanage in Ecuador and helping many families in communities with filters for clean water!!! This will truly be so life changing.

As a gift for each of the special kids at the orphanage we will be also providing them with new socks and shoes. Sparkling shoes at that. :) They are going to be so excited! They always feel so special when they get new shoes and they prance around and just wait for someone to give them a compliment. The kiddos are so adorable and I can't wait to see them. Thanks for your amazing support and for making this trip possible!!! - Carrie

Water Now Running in Orphanage Bathrooms

2012-01-22T16:32:00.001-05:00

Running water in Girl's Bathroom

Boy's Bathroom

Water tank!

The Orphanage in Haiti now has running water! Thanks to your support and our partners on the ground in Haiti the 91 children now have life just a little easier. Running water in 2 bathrooms! What does this mean? This means that the girls won't have to carry buckets of water into their bathroom every time it is used. This means that they don't have to carry in buckets of water to take a shower. It gives opportunity for better hygiene and sanitation for all the kids. This is truly amazing! Your support does matter! It is changing lives. A huge thanks to everyone who gave to help make this possible for these children. What an amazing blessing!

2012-01-20T17:38:00.015-05:00

Ecuador Update:

   Since FOA Foundation is very focused on Ecuador currently, I thought this would be a good time to talk about our work there in general.
   Carrie will be leaving for Ecuador in less than two weeks to lead projects in the coastal region of Esmeraldas, in an orphanage near the capital, and another in an inner city community in the South of Quito.
   I have been in Ecuador working in rural, poor communities by implementing water filters and teaching about health, hygiene and sanitation for a few months now. Since I have recently been approved for a visa to stay in Ecuador (yey!), I am happy to announce that we will continue our work here by partnering with MAP International (Medical Aid Programs) in 2012 to bring the most basic needs to the poorest communities throughout Ecuador.
   I am so thankful for another year of positive change and wonderful opportunities to serve people in need of the basic necessities such as health and clean drinking water. I couldn't ask for anything more.
   Sincerely,
Stephanie

The Coin Drive Continues...

2012-01-13T18:43:00.000-05:00

Kk, Broghan and Colton

Kids all over California are getting involved in the coin drive. This has been so awesome!!! It is amazing to know that many children in Ecuador will be receiving the gift of clean water. We leave on Jan 29th to deliver a water filtration system to an orphanage in Ecuador. I want to personally thank all of the children & parents who have gotten involved in the coin drive and taking the time to make this happen.

Colton boldly approaches the door with KK not far behind.

Coin drives are so fun!

No one is too small for a coin collecting.

Adriel went to East Wind Yoga to collect coins for the Ecuador kids. Catie has also been helping collect money.

Go to Hawaii and Support a Great Cause!!!

2012-01-10T14:29:00.002-05:00

Friends and Family!

Go to Hawaii this Summer - All proceeds go to For One Another
My company, ResorTime.com has donated a 7 night stay to For One Another at the amazing Ka’anapali Beach Club in Maui, Hawai’i! All proceeds will go to FOA foundation and give many people clean water. Check it out. If you want to purchase this awesome vacation, let me know. You will also receive a tax write off!... Please send this to anyone you know who is looking for a vacation.

One Bedroom Deluxe Ocean View $1988 for seven (7) nights

This vacation is over $450 per night on other booking sites during July and early August. See arrival dates below.

Check out the Resort Here: http://www.resortime.com/resorts/profile.asp?resortid=633

Resort Amenities: Ocean front, huge pool with waterfalls and a waterslide, spa tub, sundeck, ocean side massage, poolside dining, golf nearby, 24 hour front desk.

Room Amenities: Ocean View, one King Bed, sofa bed, hair dryer, ceiling fan, climate control air conditioning, kitchenette including refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, cookware, dishwasher and utensils.

Available for arrival days:
7/15/2012
7/22/2012
7/29/2012
8/5/2012
8/19/2012
8/26/2012
Please note: There is a resort fee of $25 per day that will be paid at the resort this includes self parking. $30 Daily Deposit - Refunded at Check Out.
Purchase via Paypal or Credit Cards
I will assist you with the booking process and you will receive a confirmation number.

MAHALO - Stephanie Beckman - sbeckman@resortime.com

The Heart of a Child

2011-12-28T15:06:00.000-05:00

Isn't it amazing how much we can learn from children? My cousin sent me this photo of her baby girl Broghan who is involved in our "Coins for Water" coin drive. She is emptying out her cupcake piggy bank to help give clean water to the children in Ecuador.
It was recently her birthday and an Aunt had given her $1 and a little gift for her birthday. On the way home her Dad asked her what she was going to do with her money. She said "I want to give my dollar for the kids in Ecuador" She is just under 3 years old.

I just had to share this story. I am planning the details of our water project in Ecuador now. I feel that each giving heart that is helping work towards this cause makes my trip all that more special.

2011-12-24T00:48:00.001-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

FROM

FOR ONE ANOTHER FOUNDATION

Haiti Bathroom Project Update

2011-12-16T15:43:00.002-05:00

We are thrilled to announce that our Haiti Bathroom project is under way. We have sent the needed funds to our partners working in Haiti who will carry out this project till it is complete. We are looking at a completion date around Jan. 15th. I was hoping to have it done sooner but that seems to be the time frame. Here are a few words from Catherine who is continually working for the orphanage that we support in Haiti. "Thank you Carrie, we did receive notification that the money has been transferred in. This is fantastic. I know you are as anxious as we are to make sure the kids stay healthy. We are really excited about the progress being made and we will keep you posted. I look forward to taking the pictures of the filter and the water tanks and keep you posted on the plumbing progress. Your gift should finally permit the children to have flush toilets. We appreciate your support. Thanks again!" Catherine

Thanks so much to all of you who continue to support our projects! This is going to be so life changing for these children to receive this gift and I feel so proud to be a part of this project. Thank you for continuing to help us change lives. I will continue to keep everyone updated and send pictures when the project is completed. - Carrie

Coin Drive Kids!!!

2011-12-13T13:08:00.001-05:00

For One Another has started a coin drive in Northern California. "Coins For Water" Our amazing Team Leader Michelle has been a great example with taking her kids from neighborhood to neighborhood collecting people's change and money.

Tobey and Julian ready for the coin drive! How could anyone tell them No!

Other children giving their money to the cause!

She states, "Well, we attempted our first "door to door" session with the boys today. We only did it for an hour. I was overwhelmed by people's generosity! No one told us no! Who doesn't have a little spare change lying around, that's the beauty of it! One little guy gave us the entire contents of his piggy bank, then when we were at the next house, he came running up with another piggy bank which he also emptied into our buckets. My guys loved doing this, so we'll be hitting other neighborhoods. Feeling very pumped about this coin drive!!!!!!!"

Tobey thrilled with the money going into his bucket! Love the enthusiasm.

Awesome job kids!!! Thank you to all who are a part of this fundraiser. The money will be used to give clean water to an orphanage in Ecuador. If there is anyone who would still like to be a part of this coin drive just contact me at carrie@foroneanother.org or 916-660-2178.

NEW ECUADOR PROJECT

2011-12-09T11:30:00.001-05:00

Jan/Feb 2012 We will be heading to Quito, Ecuador for our new water project. Our focus will be to install a water filtration system at an orphanage in Quito. We will also provide a small poverty stricken community with water filters and educate them on the process to use them so that they may have clean, safe water to drink.

The children at the orphanage are in great need of clean water. Many times they get parasites and other diseases from the unclean water and become ill. Please help us change that. Do you know that in the developing world, 24,000 children under the age of five die every day from preventable causes like diarrhea contracted from unclean water? - Unicef, WHO 2009 Let us be the difference to these kids in Ecuador.

We will be using the Sawyers Point One Water filters at the orphanage and in the community.
$100 provides clean water to a whole entire family. Just $10 will give a child clean, safe water to drink.
We can all make a difference big or small. Thank you for your amazing support! If you would like to be a main sponsor for this project please contact us at carrie@foroneanother.org. To donate please go to www.foroneanother.org.

2011-11-28T17:18:00.001-05:00

“No matter how good or bad you think life is, wake up each day and be thankful for life. Someone somewhere else is fighting to survive.” – unknown

Give back to those in need this holiday season.

Give the amazing gift of clean, safe drinking water by donating to www.foronanother.org and change someone’s life forever.

Let us bless others and give what we are able to. We can all make a difference! Thank you for supporting this cause. It is truly changing lives.

2011-11-27T16:37:00.004-05:00

Hello everyone! I just wanted to write a quick update to let you all know what I am up to these days. I am here in Ecuador, working with MAP International (www.map.org) for change for a healthier world. We are working to not only make clean water available to many people, but also to educate them as to how it will effect them while asking questions and gathering information about their problems, fears and concerns for their future. I love the work because it is long-term (years), it focuses on development, and the first step is to ask the people themselves if they would like to see changes in their community and if so, what change. From there we organize educational workshops to teach about the subjects chosen. For example, some of the topics include: common illnesses and prevention, family violence, sanitation, hygiene, and economic improvement. We offer help and advice where we can and draw up a slow-but-steady plan for change with self-appointed, volunteer “Community Health Promoters”. They are the people that want to be responsible to facilitate change within their community.

ONE OF THE RURAL COASTAL COMMUNITIES

I have met so many people here who work hard for this with little or no personal gain except to see and feel the difference they are making. Weekends and 9-5’s mean nothing to them. This is a lifestyle, a constant, and everyone plays a part.

TALKING ABOUT CLEAN WATER FOR HEALTH

I am working in the Community Health Program and focusing on clean water for better health. I am writing a proposal to Sawyer Company for hundreds of filters that we will use over the next year to benefit over 2,000 people. I am also helping to implement a pretty complex and detailed research process to gather information about the health of rural community members, about how they view their own health, what changes they have seen and what ideas they have for future improvement that we can guide and support. Even the simple act of purifying the water will eliminate pain caused by parasites and waterborne bacteria. Over time children are healthier in everyway without the illness that stunt their growth and development. Many people know about the pain but they do not know where it comes from, how to prevent it, or the long-term benefits that prevention will bring.

CLEAN WATER AND RELATED EDUCATION HAS
THE LARGEST IMPACT ON THE CHILDREN

It has been very interesting to be so deeply involved with the people of these projects. We work with them to create the project as opposed to them being the project. This week, I was able to visit 4 poor, rural, coastal communities and talk to them about these ideas. It was really beautiful to see the people, especially the women, who shine with pride because they are able to offer something to their community. This is an amazing long-term project to improve health and alleviate suffering. I’m thankful to be a part of it and so thankful for all of those who are making it happen. Thank you for reading this short update and for following our efforts through this blog!

~Stephanie

"I am who I am because all of you are who you are."-Gandhi

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." -Mother Teresa

2011-11-17T13:40:00.003-05:00

COINS FOR WATER!!!

11/17/2011- 1/6/2012

Every Penny Counts!!!

Get your kids involved in a coin drive and make a difference in a child’s life by providing them clean, safe drinking water. This coin drive is going to be specifically helping an orphanage in Ecuador.

How to Get Invovled:

Contact Carrie Beth 916-660-2178 or carrie@foroneanother.org to receive your bucket and flyers to get started.

Michelle Bustos is the Team Leader for this event. She can be contacted at 916-205-1884 or jimichelle1999@sbcglobal.net after 11/26/2011.

Coin collecting ideas: You can go door to door with your kids in your neighborhood and businesses in your area. Everyone seems to have loose change lying around. When you have collected your coins you can take them to your local bank and usually if you have an account they will change them out for free. Michelle our Team Leader is also available to pick up coins and change them for you. This is not just a penny drive so all coins, pennies and paper money is accepted.

After Jan 6^th we will be hosting a pizza party for all of the kids involved and a prize presentation ceremony. A special prize will be awarded to the child who collects the most. Date of party TBD.

This is not area restricted. If you are not in the area we can still make it easy for you to get involved with your kids.

Oh, and P.S. Please take pictures of your kids going door to door and send them to carrie@foroneanother.org I will be writing about this on our blog and posting occasionally pictures on facebook. This is going to be so much fun.! Thanks for all of your participation!

2011-11-15T20:25:00.005-05:00

While we were in Haiti we were able to visit an additional orphanage that was in need of clean water. There were about 50 kids living at this home all under the age of 7. The orphanage was started after the 2010 massive earthquake took so many people's lives.
We taught the kitchen crew and director how to use and clean the filter. They were so excited to be receiving such a device to give them and the children safe, clean water to drink. They thanked us and before we left all of the children sang us a beautiful song in their "Creole" language. I can't interpret it word for word but it was a song to thank us and I can still hear their voices singing it so sweetly.

What an amazing blessing to be able to share with others! Thank you to all who help us make this happen.

Let's Get It Running!!! Let's Get it Running in here!

2011-11-06T20:05:00.002-05:00

The orphanage that we stayed at in Haiti needs help. There are currently 91 children living in the home. It will be 1 yr before their new home is completed. We have provided them with water filters so that they may receive clean, safe water to drink but we want to extend ourselves to do more.
We want to provide running water to the bathrooms. There are 55 girls ages 4-22. They share 1 bathroom that doesn't have running water. I can't even fathom what this is like at all of their ages. The smell is so strong in the bathroom and rolls into their rooms that I couldn't walk in for more than seconds before leaving as quickly as possible. They take buckets filled with water to flush the toilets and take showers.
The boys bathroom doesn't work at all. They use the outdoors as a facility.

Can you help me provide this for the kids? We need to purchase 2 (500gallon) tanks to put on the roofs and then run piping into the bathrooms. We will be hiring Haitian men to do the work with the supervision of Ray from Relief Team One. It will cost around $1500.00 Anything you can give to help this project would be wonderful. We would like to have it done before Dec. 15th. Thank you so much for your generosity. This will be an amazing gift for these children especially for the older girls. Please go to www.foroneanother.org to donate or click the donate button on our blog. :)

ipad Winner!

2011-11-02T18:38:00.001-04:00

Congratulations to Tom and Laurie Motto for winning in the drawing of the ipad4! :) Laurie is now a proud new owner of the ipad4 and is happy to share the news. Today on facebook she posted "Thanks to ForOneAnother Foundation I have a new ipad4." She is a wonderful supporter of FOA.
We want to thank everyone who participated in this drawing. Because of your support clean water has now made a difference in someone's life. Now, that is amazing. Thank you! Also a big thank you to Spruce Mortgage who sponsored this drawing with the donation of the ipad4.

2011-10-30T21:55:00.013-04:00

In developing countries, as much of 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions.¹

443 million school days are lost each year due to water-related diseases.²

Over half of the developing world’s primary schools do not have access to water and sanitation facilities. Without toilets, girls typically drop out of school at puberty.³

The availability of water is a concern for some countries. But the scarcity at the heart of the global water crisis is rooted in power, poverty and inequality, not in physical availability.⁴

1)United Nations. Statement by Secretary General Koffi Annan. June 2003. http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2003/sgsm8707.doc.htm

2)United Nations Development Programme. “Human Development Report 2006: Beyond Scarcity: Power, Poverty and the Global Water Crisis.” 2006. Available at http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2006/

3)UNICEF. “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene” May 2010. http://www.unicef.org/media/media_45481.html

4) 2006 United Nations Human Development Report, 2006, p.2

Construction Workers Recieve Water Filters

2011-10-21T15:47:00.014-04:00

WE DEMONSTRATE AS RAY EDUCATES AND CATHERINE TRANSLATES

The construction of the new orphanage in Haiti is going well. Ray (www.reliefteamone.org) and his crew are accomplishing so much. He has taught 33 Haitian men the tools and trade of the business. Most of these men had no knowledge of construction before starting to work with Ray and now they are very skilled tradesmen able to work at this site and find more work with their skills.

WE FIND THE SCARIEST WATER AROUND AND USE OURSELVES AS EXAMPLES!

We were able to teach the men and provide them with the Sawyer PointONE Water Filters for them and their families. They were hesitant at first when we dropped the bucket into a muddy puddle in the road and then proceeded to filter and drink the water. Ray drank from the new water first and then Stefany and I. We then passed the cup around to the men so that they could drink the new filtered water. Then we taught them how to assemble and clean the filters. Many of them wanted extra filters for their extended families because they know how important the clean water is especially around the fear of Cholera and other diseases that have been taking lives in Haiti.

RAY SETS A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR HIS TEAM!

Before the men left that night to go home they packed their filters up in the bag inside of their bucket. They were very careful in how they took their buckets and filters home because they didn't want to be robbed by nearby gangs. How often we take for granted the simple ways that clean water is available to us. Most of us are able to just turn on a faucet while clean water comes out in full supply, or we have the money to buy bottled water from our nearby super markets. We don't have to worry about the lack of clean water. We don't have to walk miles and spend half our day to bring water home. And we usually don't have to worry that the water we do bring home will make us so sick that we may not be able to go to school, work or do chores the next day or have the fear that it will bring death to our families. It can effect so many areas in many people's lives.

FILTERED "ROAD WATER". IF WE CAN FIND IT, WE CAN FILTER IT AND DRINK IT. HAITI IS A GREAT PLACE TO PROVE THAT.

Thank you all so much for realizing the need and helping us to fulfill this need for many people's lives. The support is making a huge difference. Child to child, person to person we are making a difference. Thank you!

- Carrie

LEFT TO RIGHT: CATHERINE SAVELL AND RAY ARANA FROM RELIEF TEAM ONE, AND CARRIE BETH AND STEPHANIE PETERSON FROM FOR ONE ANOTHER FOUNDATION.

Lourdes Orphanage in Haiti

2011-10-19T23:09:00.004-04:00

There are 90 children at the orphanage that we are helping support. We were able to supply the new construction site with a filtration unit that will be able to produce up to 5000 gallons of clean water a day for these children.

The kids ages range from 2 to 22 years old. We stayed at the the original orphanage this week with the kids. The lady that runs the orphanage is named Maud. She is truly an angel and I am not sure how she manages all of the kids.

She has the older kids take care of the younger ones and the system is actually set up really well. It is like a huge family. The kids are very well behaved and so happy to have a home and food everyday.

The conditions in Haiti are rough and it is a struggle for her to care for all of their needs so she was so grateful that we came to bring them clean, safe water to drink.

While the kids are waiting for their new home to be finished we provided them the Sawyer PointONE Water Filters and taught them how to use them. This was so much fun. Maud gathers the kids all around and talks to them about what we are doing. Then we demonstrated how it works and she puts some of the older kids in charge to clean it.

We were so glad to be a part of such a special group of kids and give them the gift of clean water to drink.

1 COMMENTS:

Faith Page said...: You're awesome!!!

We have arrived!!!

2011-10-11T08:00:00.005-04:00

Good Morning!!! We arrived safely yesterday in Haiti. We were picked up at the airport and off we went for the adventure of the day. The airport has been upgraded in many ways and several things have been improved which is so encouraging to see. The streets were crowded and busy as normal lined with cars of traffic and people selling their goods on the side of the walkway.

We made our way to the orphanage where we were greeted by the kids and dropped off all of our bags. Seriously these kids are so adorable and so full of love. I can't wait to share pictures. We then went to go view the new orphanage site and look at the new project. We shared a lovely meal made from the lady who runs the orphanage right on the jobsite with Ray and Catherine. The mosquitos had quite a feast too.

Today will be a busy day. We are heading to the jobsite to begin the project. We will be setting up the new water filter and buying all of the buckets for the small filters.
Internet is scarce but I will try and write again.

~Carrie

1 COMMENTS:

faith page said...: Yay!! Glad to here you all made it there safly. Still working hard up here in Oswego!! Do good, be safe, and have fun. Love you all

Getting ready for Haiti!

2011-10-07T21:23:00.004-04:00

Everything is going well for our Haiti trip. There has been so much planning and preparation involved and now it is finally here. We have purchased all of the items needed, our bags are getting packed and we are so excited. We were able to get some extra craft and art supplies for the kids in Haiti and we can't wait to bring it to them. Sometimes it is fun to bring the kids something that they don't normally have like coloring books, crayons and bracelet making kits. The water filters have been carefully packed and the rest of the supplies we will purchase when we are on the ground in Haiti. We are ready to begin this project. Thanks so much to everyone who have supported us in this effort. We feel so thankful to be bringing clean, safe water to these amazing children. You have made this possible so thank you! Please keep our team in your thoughts and prayers this week.

Cattlemen's Dinner Event

2011-09-18T23:17:00.008-04:00

Last Friday we hosted an event at Cattlemens Steakhouse. It was an amazing evening filled with many people who came to support our cause. Clean water is a basic need that we all have but do you know that 1 billion people in the world today are without access to safe drinking water? We are working to change that. A big thanks to everyone who came to support! You have helped change someone's life forever.

1 COMMENTS:

Priscilla said...: Great event for a great cause!! You were fantastic Carrie!

2011-08-30T19:49:00.005-04:00

Want a super cool bracelet to show your support for clean water!? With a donation of just $10 to http://www.foroneanother.org/index.php
we will send you one of these as a thank you gift :) Don't forget to put "bracelet" in the PayPal memo!

2011-08-05T08:08:00.014-04:00

This is a clinic that our friend is opening in on the northern city limits of San Salvador.

The area is very poor and has no local health clinic. The hope is to have it open later this month! We've gotten the electric turned on and the water hooked-up. Last week we helped out with the painting. Its really coming along well, and fast!

Everyone works together and little by little with a lot of faith, the process moves forward. What we need now is exterior paint, 2 gallons, about $36.

Many blessing to all of the people working on this project. I have rarely seen such faith and determination. -Stephanie

2011-07-27T01:30:00.004-04:00

Today we went out to buy medical supplies for a clinic/pharmacy that we will help open. We went to 2 different places and checked out prices and finally the 3rd place came out to be the cheapest. We are looking forward to dropping off the supplies on Friday and helping paint the new clinic. We will get an early start as it gets extremely hot in the afternoon here. The pastor has told us that we will be painting it a mint green color. Well, that should be fun! Can't wait to update you all on the finished project. -Carrie

1 COMMENTS:

Kimia Kline said...: thanks for your comment on my blog! led me back to yours. and what an amazing adventure you're having in el salvador. i volunteered in ecuador and costa rica for a year and loved central/south america SO much.; AUGUST 3, 2011 1:04 PM

2011-07-21T17:08:00.007-04:00

The kids waiting in line for their medicine.

This week we were asked to go back to the northern area of El Salvador to do a small medical clinic for the children there. The kids meet everyday for lunch at a cafeteria that a pastor and his wife have opened and help support. Before making their way into the cafeteria for lunch they came through our line to receive basic anti-parasite medication and vitamins. The kids who had extremely brown and decaying teeth were given toothbrushes and toothpaste since we only had a small supply.

Taking the temperature of a very sick child.

The one boy, Jose, that I have mentioned before was there first thing in the morning to greet us and help us unload our supplies. He is such a friendly boy and so helpful. He is the child who does not have a thumb but the first who is so eager to shake your hand. I was told that he lost it by working in a market where he had to carry very heavy loads. It sure didn't stop him as he helped us carry boxes, tables and chairs to set up the mini clinic.

Giving anti parasite medication

The children went through the line one by one receiving their dosage of medicine and getting a yummy lollipop after. We had a couple of toys which prompted the young, scared ones to go ahead and gulp it down and then of course there were a few who screamed.. The pastor would periodically come by and jokingly tell them the injections were coming. Overall it was a very smooth day.

The kids came in for their lunch and then they were sent back to school. We were so glad to see them using their Sawyers Point Water Filters making it possible for all the kids to receive clean, safe water to go with their meal.

The lunchroom where most kids receive the only meal they will eat all day!

Sawyer's Point One Water Filter!

Many children came back to our table with a little kiss and hug to say goodbye! These children live in such extreme poverty and in situations that I can't even imagine but they are so sweet and full of love. I was glad we could spend the day there and help in some small way.

-Carrie

2011-07-13T15:29:00.018-04:00

Global Access to Safe Drinking Water:

Global Access to Safe Drinking Water- http://www.nature.com/nature/focus/water/map.html

"Today’s water crisis is not an issue of scarcity, but of access. Every day, lack of access to clean water and sanitation kills thousands, leaving others with reduced quality of life (water.org)."
Our Partners in Safe Water:

1) Sawyer Products – Water Filters in El Salvador and Haiti

We are using Sawyer filters in El Salvador and Haiti. Sawyer® Water Filtration and Purification uses “technology taken from kidney dialysis. Sawyer® water filters use Hollow Fiber Membranes. Our filters are comprised of tiny "U" shaped micro tubes that allow water to enter into their core through tiny micro pores. The pointONE Filter’s™ pores are so small (0.1 micron absolute) that no bacteria, protozoa, or cysts like E.Coli, Cholera and Typhoid can get through. At 7 log (99.99999%) the filter attains the highest level of filtration available today and yet it has a very high flow rate due to the large amount of tubes (Sawyer, 2008).” We are installing these filters in rural areas of Haiti and El Salvador.

"At any given time, half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from diseases associated with lack of access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene (water.org)."

2) GenPro Energy Solutions – Solar Powered System in Haiti

We are currently working with GenPro to develop a Solar Power Water Purification system for an orphanage in Haiti. The system will be delivered to Port Au Prince later this summer. With the additional solar unit it will produce 1440 gallons per day of safe clean drinking water. This water will be used for drinking, cooking, bathing and cleaning by the 90 children who live in the orphanage and the staff who care for them. Some of the water will be bottled and sold by the orphanage workers and some will be used for the Bakery Micro-Business attached to the orphanage in an attempt to become self-sufficient and develop long-term sustainability.

PureDak Solar Filtration Unit

"The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns (water.org)."

"In the developing world, 24,000 children under the age of five die every day from preventable causes like diarrhea contracted from unclean water (water.org)."

"884 million people lack access to safe water supplies; approximately one in eight people (water.org)."

References:

Water.org.2011). Water facts. http://water.org/learn-about-the-water-crisis/facts/

Sawyer Products. (2008). www.sawyerpointonefilters.com

GenPro Energy Solutions. (2011). http://genproenergy.com/

Nature.com. (2011). Nature water map - access to safe drinking water. http://www.nature.com/nature/focus/water/map.html

2011-07-06T17:45:00.007-04:00

This week we worked in mobile medical clinics located in the 2 poorest regions of the country. This type of work is really one of my favorites to participate in. The first day we saw over 250 patients. There were little itty bitty babies up to one lady who was 94 years old. Stef and I greeted the people in line as they came to our tables to get their vital signs checked. We took their blood pressure, heart rate and their temperature if they needed it. All of the children from babies to 10 years old were weighed and children from age 2-8 automatically received parasite medication.

Many of the children had colds and coughs and stomach problems. A lot of the adults complained of headaches. I asked one lady about her headaches as I was taking her vitals. I mentioned that it may be from dehydration. She said that it was from stress, so much stress in her house. She said killing after killing causes her to feel that way. She lives in an area where gang violence is a huge problem. Another elderly lady that I spoke to had a swollen ankle. I told her she needed to elevate it when she could and put ice on it. She said she works all day 7 days a week selling food on the street. When she gets home she takes care of her household. She usually gets to sleep around 10:30p.m. and wakes up at 4:00am to start her day. She didn't know how she would manage it all with her injured ankle. We saw so many people and did our best to kindly listen as well as get them quickly through the line to see the doctors. We heard so many different stories and continue to be amazed by the beautiful lives that have touched ours here in El Salvador.

So happy to help us drill the hole for the filter.

The 2nd day of Clinics was at the church of the pastor that started the lunchroom food program for kids in his area. We were able to give him and his wife a water filter for their home to provide their family with clean, safe water. Also we were able to set up another filter for Claudia's Family. Claudia works in the lunchroom for the kids in the community and has a family of 3. We were so happy to be able to help them by providing clean water for her and her kids. They are so extremely grateful and the smiles really help say it all. -Carrie

2011-07-03T21:15:00.014-04:00

Last week we were asked to teach about CPR, First Aid and the importance of being hydrated to a nearby school. The class was for the teachers of about 400 high risk children. If I never get asked again "How much time do you have after an amputation and tourniquet application to get to the hospital?" by someone who lives way outside the city, I will be happy.

Other, simpler topics were about drinking water to help avoid headaches and the heat. The director stood up and said that was new information to him. At times he had given a child a pill, then another, then another, not knowing what was causing the headache. Another comment was made about giving out multivitamins for general pains...so, needless to say, we felt that the class was beneficial. We also talked about emergency care for heat stroke, nose bleeds, burns, bleeding control and shock treatment.

CPR was interesting without mannequins but with a little imagination, we did quite well. Carrie volunteered to be the "victim".

At the end of the class we gave them a Sawyer water filter and a CPR mask for the First Aid kit. We were thanked over and over for coming. Multiple parents and teachers came up to me after asking specific questions about experiences they have had. One woman told me sometimes her home water comes out brown with dirt in it. They wanted to know why the Sawyer filters were not available to buy in El Salvador and how they could get one for their house.

The whole day went really well especially considering it was our first shot at teaching what we have just learned in the Emergency Medical Tech courses in the USA. There are always challenges but that's how we learn and I just hope I have many more opportunities- to teach and be taught- in the future. - Steph

2011-06-25T10:33:00.017-04:00

Houses we pass by...

Artwork in the streets

This week we went to an area of El Salvador that is known for it’s extreme poverty. Graffiti filled the walls as we rode past shacks upon shacks deep into the slums of El Salvador. We met with a Pastor who lives and has a church in this area. Him and his wife opened a lunchroom 5 years ago for a few of the poorest kids of the city to eat lunch Monday-Friday. With support they are now providing lunch to 170 kids. They have to come in turns because the lunchroom is small and can’t fit all the kids at once. Some of these kids rely on this food, as it is the only meal they will get all day. The portions are small but the kids are so grateful to have food. Nothing is wasted here.

The children line up, actually excited to try the new water. They say it "doesn't
have a taste!" and the line keeps growing.

There was a little boy who was standing out front just waiting for us to arrive. He had a great big smile on his face and as I walked towards him he stuck out his hand to shake mine. He was so confident. I realized when I went to shake his hand that he was missing his pointer finger. That definitely didn’t stop his enthusiasm for greeting us.

The water the children drink for lunch
before it is filtered..

Stef and I brought a water filter and got it ready to install. The pastor and children were so excited and interested to see how it worked. They went over and got the bucket of dirty water that the kids were going to drink with lunch and they dumped it in our container and filtered it through. The pastor passed the cup around to the kids asking them if they could taste a difference in the water. They all thought our water was so much better. I got quite emotional when I saw that all these kids were begging to drink the new, clean water. And they smiled so big after they took a drink. It was amazing to know how grateful they were for a simple clean water solution. The poverty that we saw today did not minimize the beauty of the people there. These people truly amaze me in every way.
- Carrie

One of the boys who walks to get his lunch everyday tries the water. He is 6 years and and tells us
with a big smile that he has two teeth ready to fall out.

Some are more shy and prefer to just watch from a safe distance.

170 children come daily to eat a meal.

One of the filters set up and cleaning water for the childrens lunch.

This little guy was thirsty and not shy at all.

2011-06-21T21:48:00.026-04:00

What a day.

After three buses, crossing half the country, installing a filtration system in a street home near the coast, a lovely breakfast/lunch and two more buses back in a rainstorm, we made it home safe and sound. Mission accomplished.

Total Microbe Samples from
four different water samples.

Top: Filtered Water

Third Down: Children's Home

Carrie and I decided to return to the children’s home* near the coast that we visited last week. They had told us their one and only filter in the kitchen needed a replacement part and some work and had asked us for help. There are 120 children there of all ages, including many babies. They are not supported by the government at all and rely on outside support to get by month to month. We tested their water last week using the kits we brought and it had a very high bacterium count judging by the color matched with the colors on the chart. It also smelled so bad. I know that’s not very scientific but it can't be a good thing.

We left the house this morning at seven with little more than a filter, a giant bucket, a camera, cell phones, drinking water and some coins for the buses. I just want to point out that we received our own address two days ago and we do not know the city or the bus routes yet. After finding our way to the chaotic central district, we jump off knowing we need to change buses, just not sure where. As we cautiously ask around it just starts to feel…not right. The woman working in a street pharmacy tells us it’s up two blocks and to the left. The armed guard steps in and tells her she’s wrong, its two blocks up to the right! We left while they were still discussing it figuring the “two blocks up” part was probably right and staying in one place for too long is a bad idea.

As we walk we get looks, whistles, hisses, horns and greetings (among other things). It feels like us pedestrians take up every square inch that kids, dogs, cars, big buses, mini buses, bicycles and motorcycles don’t. Everything is being sold from food and gum to lottery tickets and cars. We seriously need to find this bus. One sketchy man followed us to the corner and got so close I thought about running through the lines of traffic to get away but eventually he got tired of being ignored and wondered off...and there we see it! Our bus, green with every other color of the rainbow, so full of people that they are popping out the windows as it rattles towards us! I wave them in and they blow right past me yelling at me to go to the stop. But I don’t know where the stop is. So we run after it another block and a half (swinging bucket and all) and jump up into the crowed bus, metal on metal brakes still screeching.

After one more hectic bus change we arrive at the children’s home and find the director. We explain that we brought a new filter for the kitchen and her whole face lights up. She asks if it will filter bacteria and parasites and tells us it will be great, especially for the babies. She thanks us over and over and tells us she really wants another for the attached school if possible. We tell her we’ll let her know soon about when we can come back with another. We show her and the cook how to use and clean it. They were so nice kept asking questions including how many of us are here and you should have seen her face when Carrie said, “Solo nosotras dos” (just us two). She looked like she thought we were crazy. As we are there she has to run off and help unload a pickup truck that had brought supplies. We exchange information and I tell her to call if she needs anything but we will be back soon. The cook gives both Carrie and I a big hug and says, “God bless you both.” with a warm smile as we leave.

The new Sawyer PointOne Filter in the kitchen for the

Children's Home as the cook prepares lunch for 120 kids.

On the way back I accidentally turned down the air-conditioned luxury bus when a guy with a thick French accent told me it went to a part of San Salvador I didn’t think I knew. As it drove away, and Carrie pointed out where it was going, I realized I had made a mistake. So we got on the minibus with no AC, minimal brakes and maximum people but as soon as we get up into the mountains it started raining. It poured. Everyone slides their windows closed, the whole bus fogs up and water sprays on our feet through holes in the floor. As we change buses a few more times I ask myself why I wore white pants today.

Third bus back and I recognize a gas station and hope it’s the one near our house. Half and hour walk later, we’re home! It’s such a good feeling. I can’t wait to know the area better but until then, I’ll travel with caution and be thankful for all the good people who help me along the way.

-Steph

*Certain names, places and people may be left out for safety reasons, especially in long-term projects.

1 COMMENTS:

Anonymous said...: Ha ha that is funny you guys are special ! :)

2011-06-17T23:21:00.012-04:00

Reserve water tank is plugged and overflowing
flooding yard and living room.

I stand in the living room wondering why it’s down pouring looking out the front door but somehow its as dry as a desert looking out the back door of the apartment...

Could it be? Am I caught right under the rain line??

Flashback to 24 hours earlier: I get a new apartment with my crazy accomplice, Carrie, "Caro" we call her here because nobody can say “Carrie”. Everything is great, nice place, we finalize the contract with a lawyer and all, the landlords leave and…hmmm…NO WATER. Ok, fine, so the reserve tank over the door is plugged. Water from the city will come at 7pm for 12 hours. At 7, still no water, all night, no water. Did I forget to mention I REFUSE to buy bottled water? Over a day passes with hot humid tropical weather, walking everywhere with no shower, no flushing toilets, no dishwashing which, with the sugar ants means no cooking, and we decide to call the landlord to see what the heck is going on.

Enter landlords with construction worker they found on the street:

Carrie works to control the water pressure in
the overflowing shower.

They explain that the city had a problem and no one has had water for 2 days. The worker fixed the reserve tank in a Salvadorian hour (at least 3 hours anywhere else in the world) and Carrie screams “Que chivo! Ya puedo bañarme!!!” (How awesome! Now I can shower!!!). The worker, Samuel, laughs and says that he put the on-off valve high in the wall because we are tall but here they are all “smalls”. So at that point we have water, are waiting for city water, and landlords and Señor Samuel leave.

As the hours pass the water pressure builds. Although both showers are OFF, water pressure is steadily growing and water fills the bucket and is coming out until the bathrooms are flooding. The water upstairs slowly runs out of the bathroom into the hall and rolls slowly towards the stairs. And I have no idea what is going on. I try to ignore it as I walk down to the living room, hoping it will all go away. I see its really raining outside. I wish I could sit on the patio if it wasn’t raining so hard…wait a minute, it’s not raining at all! The patio is DRY.

Apparently its NOT rain. The back patio is dry and calm,
front door is flooding with water from the reserve tank.

What is going on?? Upon investigation I realize the tank on the roof over the front door has over flown. It’s not raining at all!! We are flooding from the yard up and from the upstairs down.

I have to call again and say, “I’m sorry but we have another problem. Now we have too much water.” An hour later some maintenance men saved us from the impending flood and life has been peachy ever since.

Our house water from the kitchen sink and after filtration
with the Sawyer PointOne filters we are using here. This what we are
drinking and....soooooooooooo far so good!!!! :)

The water was pretty brown for a while as you can see in this picture but we have to practice what we preach, right? So, we filtered it and drank it (we drank a lot of it) and since I’m still alive to write this, I think you all should all have faith in Sawyers PointOne filters. They are AWESOME; kind of like cold showers, clean clothes, brushed teeth, washed hands, shampooed hair, clean bodies, washed dishes, fresh cooked food, glasses of drinkable water in 100% humidity, and flushing toilets.

So cheers friends! Cuídense mucho and don’t take anything for granted. Hasta pronto…

~Steph

1 COMMENTS:

: Amazing!! Tonight as I read this I am thankful for WATER!

2011-06-14T18:38:00.006-04:00

This is one of the project we looked at this week. We decided that this little future medical clinic would be a great place to start.

Entering the building that
will be the clinic.

Things have been going great here in El Salvador. I have only encountered 2 cockroaches and that is pretty good for here. :) The weather has been extremely humid and hot but with occasional storms that cool us down with the rain. It is such a beautiful country. It is green and tropical everywhere you look and the people here are so helpful and friendly. It is a good thing since Stef and I get lost from time to time. Each time we ask for directions the people will walk us all the way to the bus stop that we need to go to. So awesome!!!

Future waiting room..

Last week we were able to go with Nancy and her group and visit several different projects. We toured a school for street kids. We met with each of the directors and discussed with them the possibility for us to help in certain areas. We currently have many ideas to implement simple learning techniques to teach hygiene to the teachers, parents and kids. However when we toured the small clinic at the school and heard that it is not currently running we knew we wanted to help.. The director got the keys to open it and show us around. It is a super small clinic with one area to do exams and a small entry and waiting area. The government will only allow it to be opened if the following items are provided and kept in the clinic. So we have been working on getting the medical items needed so that the clinic can officially open and serve the children and surrounding community.

By the clinic being opened this allows the at-risk children in a poverty stricken community to be seen by a doctor. The parents or family members of these children are very poor and many uneducated. When their child is very sick they don't bring them to a doctor and even if they went to the doctor they wouldn't have enough money to pay for the child's medicine. Last week I saw in the newspaper that a 4 year old little girl had died from Dengue Fever. I'm sure with a quick trip to the clinic and the correct medicine this child could've been saved.

Our friend here has 2 groups of doctors and nurses that will be coming in about 2 weeks to work in clinics in El Salvador. They bring a lot of medicine and needed items to keep these clinics running. For One Another's team is working right now here and in the United States on provided this clinic with the tools needed to get it up and running.

Some of the items we will be purchasing to open the clinic:

-Stethoscopes

-BP cuff

-Otoscope

-Penlight

-Exam light

-Exam bed

-Nebulizer

-O2 masks, 4 various sizes

-Plastic measuring tape

-Surgery set

-Gloves sterile and non-sterile

-Surgery masks

-Cotton balls

-Syringe, various sizes

-Tape

-Tongue depressors

-Saline solution

-Extractor

-Urine collectors

-Manual Cauterizer

Thanks again for everyone's support! Things like this are possible because of your help! We hope to have this clinic running with government approval by mid to late August.

- Carrie

2011-06-06T19:37:00.020-04:00

A boy enjoys the attention from the
onlookers as he rides in the parade.

Walking to the school with about
380 at-risk children in San Salvador

Today we visited a school where over 300 children attend classes’ everyday. But today was a special for them because it was the one time a year that they are part of a soccer tournament. Our contact, Nancy, has a group of 17 people here for the week with her organization and they are going to play soccer with the kids and it's all set to start with a big parade.

A young boy named Diego plays with

a broken toy gun as he shyly tells

me he doesn't play soccer.

Carrie and I are along for another reason. This is a school whose staff goes out into the surrounding areas looking for high-risk children, meaning they are at great risk of being recruited into the gang if they go to a normal school.

My sunglasses are
a fun toy.

Young children here are recruited right out of middle school and if they resist their lives are at risk. Once initiated its almost impossible to undo the decision. Among other occurrences that make it hard to reverse the process, the required tattoos mark them as members for life. After that it’s a dark future of violence on the streets.

The children walk to the school by themselves grouped together and arrive by 7:00am. They are given a snack for breakfast and a meal for lunch. Some are only 6 or 7 years old and still manage to get themselves ready in the morning for class. Sometimes the parents drop them off, even some fathers who are in the gang themselves. They say they want anything else for their child’s future. Many of these children are also orphans living with different family members.

Water comes for 2 hours per day and is not safe but
the children drink it anyway for lack of another option.

The school has one sink with filtered water in a locked kitchen. The other water taps available for the 380 children are not safe. They are told not to drink it but they get thirsty and do anyway. Compassion International helps run this school and the people are very thankful for that. The children come because they want to learn. The staff of 26 people is happy to let us test the water to see if the filters we brought are needed and will be of benefit to them. This is just one of many, many places we will visit this week in an attempt to place ourselves where we are most needed.

~Stephanie

1 COMMENTS:

Priscilla said...: Thanks for the update! So great being able to follow you as you help others!; JUNE 6, 2011 8:51 PM

Arriving in El Salvador!!!

2011-06-04T19:40:00.008-04:00

Hello Everybody!!! We have arrived in El Salvador. Our trip has gone so smoothly.

I met Stefi in Miami and then we caught the morning flight at 645am this morning to El Salvador. During the morning and throughout our flight Stefi kept mentioning that she hoped that we got through customs okay. We had packed all 4 of our bags with equal amounts of water filters in each so it wouldn't cause too much attention at customs. We also had chemicals that we were bringing in one bag that will allow us to test the water here so we were a little concerned about that. After getting through the customs line we picked up our bags and both got the red light which means our bags had to be inspected. Deep sighs!!! It just went through a bag scanner and we were motioned through to proceed with our bags, water filters, chemicals and all!!! Yahoooooooooooooo!!!

Nancy, our contact, was waiting for us at the airport. We waited at the curb while she went to get her car. The air is super humid and even though it is their winter season it is extremely warm. Without putting forth any energy the sweat starts to trickle. The crowd was calm outside the airport. People were trying to sell us lotto tickets, asking us to take taxis etc but no one was too pushy. Nancy arrived and we loaded in our bags and were off. It was a 40 minute ride to her house. She is such an amazing woman and very easy to talk to.

The landscape reminds us of Honduras and Costa Rica. It is so green, tropical and muy bonito. We are staying in a little room at the back of Nancy's house. There is an open room that leads outside with the tropical backyard and hammock which Stefi has already gotten comfy in.

We had a little meeting with Nancy this afternoon to discuss the projects. We haven't even been here a few hours and yet we are anxious to get started. Tomorrow already begins a busy day and this week I know will go by fast. The rain is starting up again. It is a comforting sound. We already feel at home here and are excited beyond words for our new journey in El Salvador. - Carrie

Priscilla said...

Thankful for your safe arrival!!

JUNE 4, 2011 8:32 PM

Malorie said...

oh que chevere!! todo parece muy bien! quiero leer pronto mas aventuras!! bueno te deseo lo mejor por alla! y espero pronto hablar contigo por skype! te quiero mu querida Carrie y estas increible! Gracias por hacer lo que haces se que no es facil!!! LOCA VIDA!

JUNE 5, 2011 9:01 AM

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR iPAD 2 AND iPOD TOUCH WINNERS ON 5/31/11!!

2011-06-03T18:45:00.002-04:00

Andy & his two daughters Megan & Alison Kloeckner

We are pleased to announce the winners our our Spring 2011 Fundraiser!! Andy Kloeckner from Vermont was drawn for the brand new iPad 2 and Laurie Motto from California won the iPod Touch! Congratulations to both our big winners and a huge thanks to all of you who took part in this fun event!

Preparing for our trip to El Salvador!!!

2011-05-31T02:01:00.004-04:00

We are nearing our departure and time is speeding by as we pack and organize our trips necessities. As we cram everything (water filters, water quality testers, clothes, shoes, bug spray, rain coats, computers, cameras, digital equipment, toiletries, books, passports, etc.) as neatly as possible into a total of four suitcases, we feel nothing but joy, thankfulness, and gratitude towards all those who have supported us this far.

Tomorrow is the last day of our iPad and iPod fundraiser event! This year has been a wonderful success, we have officially met our minimum fundraising goal for El Salvador's Water Mission, and our two winners of the Mac prizes will be announced June 1st. Good luck to you all!

It is a beautiful and humbling experience to be able to bring some of the most basic needs to the people of El Salvador. We are so excited about this opportunity! We can all do something; its not too late, too big, or too hopeless. Its not about countries, nations, governments, or statistics. Its about people. We want to thank everyone who has taken part in this collaborative effort to make a positive difference in our world, thank you.

"...statistics from El Salvador, for example, indicate that the poorest 20% of households spend more than 10% of their total income on water. In the United Kingdom authorities define spending of more than 3% of one's income on water as a hardship." -http://www.answers.com/topic/drinking-water-wordnet

2011-05-19T17:41:00.003-04:00

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  

It is our light, not our darkness, that scares us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  Your playing small doesn't serve the world.  There's nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We were born to manifest the glory that is within us.  It's not in some of us; it's in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." 

-written by Marianne Williamson and quoted by Nelson Mandela in his Inauguration 

2011-05-19T17:22:00.014-04:00

SEE US IN ACTION!

2011-05-10T13:52:00.008-04:00

This powerful film depicts For One Another Foundation and Iniciativas de Paz working together in Haiti. Its about unconditional love, the power of voluntarism, and the will to carry on. The documentary, Misión de Paz (Peace Mission), focuses on an organization comprised of volunteers in the medical field called Iniciativa Comunitaria (Community Initiative). The film follows the footsteps of this team's mission and dedication to provide much needed services to a beleaguered population after the devastating earthquake in Haiti....enjoy!

View Misión de Paz Documentary Trailer!

Or click here to view the full version!

Progress Report

2011-05-09T12:45:00.005-04:00

It won't be long now, the time is flying by as we prepare to leave for San Salvador on June 2nd! There is so much packing, planning, ordering and organizing to do but, as always, it is met with more gratitude than distain. We are forever thankful for the opportunity to create peace and stability through better health :)

Our program aims to make safe water and healthcare available for all people and our current focus area is El Salvador, Central America. We'll be Working with impoverished rural villagers and local governments to deliver and assemble Sawyer Point One water filtration systems to orphanages, health clinics, and local communities in need.

Later this summer we hope to be back in Haiti for a visit to deliver and set-up a solar-powered water system for a 180' well that our friends at Relief Team One are building. We plan to help with this project so stay in touch as there will be more to follow soon!

Keep up with us!

2011-05-09T12:08:00.004-04:00

For One Another Charity Event - Rocklin, CA

2011-04-30T21:02:00.007-04:00

On April 23rd 2011 we held a Silent Auction/Dinner in Rocklin, CA to support our efforts to bring clean, safe water to El Salvador. The support from the community and attendees was so generous and I was truly amazed by the beauty of love that people showed.
We started the evening enjoying delicious food and drinks which were provided by Jalisco Grill, Edible Arrangements, Bel-Air, Safeway and One Hope Wine.

There was an outside presentation that followed to show how the water filters work and how crystal clear the water is after it has been filtered. I was using creek water mixed in with a little dirt. It is truly such an amazing system and I was glad to be able to show it to all that were present. Sawyer Point One Filters have the Highest Filtration Rates Available- it is impossible for viruses in addition to bacteria, protozoa and cysts to pass through the purifier. These are true barrier filters. My good friend Mario Landi volunteered to taste the water and many others were encouraged to try it as well.
We ended the Silent Auction and the final bids were read with applause. The Event was a success and with everyone's contributions and support we were able to raise enough money to purchase 24.5 water filters. This is amazing!!! Thanks to everyone who came and helped support the cause!!! Because of you, we will be able to provide clean, safe drinking water to many.

A special thanks to:
Pottery World, Chuggers, Beverly's, Rocklin Pet, Rocklin Bowl, Trader Joes, Riebes, Les Schwab, Pizza Factory, Big Daddy's Pizza, Jalisco Grill, Big Chill Yogurt, Lorenzo's, Wild Chicken, Baskin Robbins, Venita Rhea's, Bowin Bowtique, Jennifer Lake, Winchester Country Club, Stella & Dot (Molly Hills), Casa Ramos, Pay it Furward, Julie Brusseau, Foot Reflexology & Nics Pics.

1 COMMENTS:

Great event! So many wonderful giving people!

HAPPY EARTH DAY- ENTER TO WIN GREAT MAC PRIZES!!

2011-04-22T12:29:00.005-04:00

Still a few chances to win the brand new iPad!

There are 100 water drops on www.ForOneAnother.org.
Each water drop = a $120 donation and a chance to win the iPad. There are only 100 drops and 68 are already taken!

Enter to win today!! Drawing held on May 31st, 2011, iPad will be shipped to winner immediately!

ONE YEAR LATER... ITS STILL ABOUT PEOPLE

2011-04-22T11:56:00.007-04:00

It been a year since we built a home for this family in coastal Ecuador & I am so happy that they STILL call to say "Llamame pues no tengo saldo!" (Even if it does mean, basically, call us back because we don't have phone minutes). So I call them with Skype and get handed around to all 7 kids & then Crucita, the mother. They tell me about life, school, health, and how thankful they are for their house we built last April (seriously!).

Its not necessary to have a lot to give a lot. This family had no place to call home and no father around yet they still found shrimp in the river and offered them to us to eat. They would literally give the shirt off their back if it was the last thing they had, I have no doubt. Humanitarian work is a two-way street. We give them a house and they give us an experience that opens our minds and changes us forever. We teach them about health and child nutrition and they teach us about life what it means to be humble.

2011-04-04T16:19:00.003-04:00

Just a quick update! The time is going by fast and soon we will be living and working in El Salvador and setting up our projects to purify contaminated water! We're starting in a home of about 100 children and from there to a medical clinic and then other community projects, making our resources go as far as possible knowing that the need is so great and so important for the health and wellbeing of the people.

With 8 weeks left to go, we have turned 1/2 of the water drops blue on www.ForOneAnother.org - meaning that we are 1/2 of the way there to meeting our financial goal for the mission! Everything is coming together very smoothly. There are so many people working to make this possible! A big heart felt thank-you to all of you! Lets continue working together to make a difference in the world, life by life, step by step, drop by drop.

Win an iPad2 or iPod Touch & Support Healthcare and Safe Water Projects!

2011-03-26T14:41:00.014-04:00

Enter to win a brand new iPad 2 and iPod Touch 32GB!! As part of our yearly goal and our next mission, we plan to purchase 100 Sawyer PointOne water filtration systems and needed medical supplies while teaching the importance of community healthcare in some of the most challenged regions of the world. Anybody who donates on any level will be entered to win a new iPod Touch 32GB and anyone who would like support our mission and purchase a water filtration system at a $120 level will be entered to win both the iPod Touch and the iPad 2. Drawing will be held May 31, 2011. Enter to win HERE!

2 COMMENTS:

Anonymous said...

WHAT!!!!! :) AWESOME
Martha Peterson said...: For One Another ROCKS!!!!!!! That iPad is mine!!! :)

CURRENT PROJECT -SAFE WATER & MEDICAL SUPPLIES IN EL SALVADOR, C.A.

2011-03-19T19:42:00.025-04:00

We feel so excited and blessed to be able to continue our mission in 2011 of education, safe water, and medical supplies to those in need. Our current focus area is El Salvador, Central America.

We are delivering and assembling Sawyer Point One water filters to a house, of which is called Home, to about 100 children. We plan to educate them about hygiene and the importance of clean water for better health. Along with the water filters we will also deliver supplies needed for everyday living. Included in our mission is the delivery and stocking of medical supplies to a local community health clinic. We would love for you to join us and be part of this mission by following along with this blog!

Our goal is to raise money to be able to carry out this mission. We leave in the end of May, 2011. If you feel you want to be part of this initiative, you can make a DONATION to help purchase the following necessities:

WATER FILTERS
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
CHILDREN'S MEDICINE
CHILDREN'S SHOES/CLOTHES

We are excited to be involved in the lives of the children of El Salvador and feel working with them on a daily basis is the best way to make a long-term difference. Please consider a donation and be part of this year’s mission to improve the health and future of these young people for generations to come.

!!HAPPY WORLD WATERDAY MARCH2 2011!

"The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns."— www.water.org

"Lack of access to clean water is a leading cause of death and disease in developing countries, killing about 5 million people annually and causing 3.3 billion illnesses."

— www.realwatersolutions.com

"Half of the world's hospital beds are filled with people suffering from water related illnesses."

— blueplanetnetwork.org

1 COMMENTS:

Anonymous said...WOW!! SO EXCITING!! Cannot wait to hear more. Another great year for you guys!!!

HOME FROM MEXICO

2011-01-09T13:31:00.036-05:00

For Christmas 2010 For One Another Foundation teamed up with Globalize This to bring a water filtration system to a village of 300 people in the desert of Northern Mexico.

Driving through the desert loaded with buckets, filters and luggage.

The mission was to implement the system, teach proper maintenance, and perform about 75 tests to see the bacteria count before and after filtration.

The road to Estanque De Leon is long, bumpy and dusty. We slept out in the desert the
first night, Christmas eve.

The village of Estanque De Leon is a day’s drive from the bustling northern Mexican city of Monterrey and about two hours off the paved road down some winding dirt tracks through a never-ending desert. Just when one would think that, besides the occasional roadrunner, rabbit or coyote, no signs of life would ever be seen again, the quiet little dusty town appears. The people are warm, friendly and very close. They live simple and without much of what we consider necessities such as electricity, decent transportation and running water. Amazingly, they seem happy and do not complain.

Cruz, a long time Candelilla worker, lives with his wife and two sons in Estanque
De Leon. Photo credit: Jeremy Bell

The men collect a wax from a Candelilla shrub native to the desert of northern Mexico. The wax is boiled off and sold per liter to a local company that comes and picks it up to bring it to the city. The women make food for the family, take care the simple one or two room houses and of the children who usually attend a very small centrally located school, but happened to be on Christmas break for the week we were there. If they want, the boys can start working with their fathers in the Canelilla plants at about 12 years old.

A few men collect water from the reservoir, their only water source. Photo credit: Jeremy Bell

The water for the village comes from reservoirs of runoff water from the surrounding hills. It collects in the rainy season and slowly evaporates. It gets used by the villagers and drank by the animals, condensing until its dark brown and very contaminated with parasites and bacteria. Although an obvious health hazard even to them, it is their only option for everything need, including drinking water.

This is Enrique. He was very helpful.

With the help of Enrique, a seven year old self-proclaimed guide, we managed to call a town-wide meeting by going door to door. This kid would shout “Buenos dIIIIAAAASSss!!!!” at the top of his healthy lungs. I felt that his good morning screeches really meant to open the front door and pronto. I don’t think any of the villagers would have disagreed with me. He was a machine and he took his job of informing everyone that we were there seriously.

Jamie of Globalize This and Stephanie of For One Another Foundation explain the filters to the women
of Estanque De Leon on 12/26/10. Photo credit: Jeremy Bell

At the meeting we explained the use, assembly, maintenance and cleaning process of the Sawyer filter systems to the women of the town. They were skeptical at first but after some demonstrations with before and after water bottles and a few whispers between friends most of them were convinced to try something new. We watched them all walk of to their homes, a bit more hopeful, filters in hand.

Jaime tests the filtered water as we walk door to door through the town.

We spent the next few days testing the water. We went door to door again through powdery ankle deep dust, asking to see the filters. Most of the filters were set up, some of them we helped to assemble. We asked questions about the use of the filters while using syringes and test strips to take samples to check bacteria count later. One woman told us “We just can’t imagine what would drive you to think of us, to come all the way out here out of a preoccupation for our health. We don't know how we could ever pay you back. We don't have a way. God bless all of you, wherever you may go.”

Some of the women with their new filters, ready to go try them out at home! Photo credit: Jeremy Bell

What a wonderful way to spend Christmas. It was a fresh perspective on the Holidays for me, and a much needed blessing for our friends in Estanque De Leon!

3 COMMENTS:

"Everyone should spend Christmas doing something like this. We all need that fresh perspective!"

JANUARY 7, 2011 12:07 PM: "This is awesome!!! And beautiful. Keep on with the good projects

That has been accomplished."; JANUARY 9, 2011 4:05 PM
: "That is amazing. Keep up the good work!"; JANUARY 11, 2011 12:45 PM

!TODO BIEN EN MEXICO!

2010-12-27T13:59:00.002-05:00

We are doing very well in Estanque de Leon, Mexico with Globalize-This delivering water filters to the people of the village who, until now have not had any access to clean water. We have been able to talk to many of the people about their situation, what works for their location and what doesn´t and yesterday we had a town-wide meeting to explain the use and cleaning of the filters. This has been a great expirience and the best way I can think of to spend the holidays! The people are so sweet and grateful. We´ve been invited into a very small but warm house and offered everything possible to make us feel comfortable- thanks for all your support and thank you for following us on our trip! We´ll be home soon!!