Posted on 22. Mar, 2010 by Lutheran World Relief in Africa, Uncategorized
Guest post from Hayley Hontos, LWR’s Communication Projects Coordinator, traveling in Bolivia
I am visiting LWR’s water projects in Bolivia on this World Water Day. It is especially fitting because the theme of this year’s World Water Day is Clean Water for a Healthy World. And in Bolivia and around the world, this is what LWR’s water projects aim to do – bring clean water to those in need throughout the world, so they can live happy, healthy and productive lives.
The theme was the same with each family and community we visited. The story of Marta Zalazar Beltran from Thojra Pampa Baja is representative of each person with whom we spoke.
“Before we used to drink dirty water without boiling it or taking any other precautions. But now we know how to treat water. Now we use solar purification and boil water to kill the bacteria, and now the children don’t get sick.”
LWR is working in several communities throughout Bolivia to bring clean water to children and families by installing water systems at schools and teaching children and families to use that water for cleaning themselves and preparing food and how to make water safe to drink through solar purification. It’s as simple as putting water in a clear bottle and leaving it in the sun for one to three days, depending on how sunny it is.
Ruben from Ulca Alta shows a bottle of drinking water cleaned through solar purification.
Ernesto Choque, president of the Kerhuani school board, has seen a noticeable difference in the health of the children. “Thank you LWR… We’ve learned a lot so far, and we appreciate having the opportunity to learn… The children are more healthy, and now they have the knowledge to continue to grow.”
But while LWR has reached many communities and families, it is still difficult for families who don’t have access to water systems. Delfina Yancala showed us that there is more work to be done. Dellfina explained, “here in this community [Thojra Pampa Baja], they have drinking water, but where I live we don’t.”
As Ernesto Choque reminds us, “without water, there is no life.” Help LWR
Fill the Well and continue to help bring clean water for a healthy world this World Water Day and in 2010.
Lutheran World Relief is a nonprofit organization that works with Lutherans and partners around the world to end poverty, injustice, and human suffering.
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