By Tom Carter | Executive Director, Agua Pura
On August 4th of last year a major earthquake struck Southern Haiti and we knew that some of our volunteers lived in the earthquake disaster zone. While waiting for more information we started our planning for what help we could provide. We immediately started sending water testing and water purification supplies. We also applied to GlobalGiving to set up a short term microproject to help fund our work. In a brief period you and other donors contributed nearly $2500 to help families find ways to make their water safe to drink. GlobalGiving also gave Agua Pura a generous donation. I'm writing today to thank you for your support of that project.
Right away after the dust settled large International aid agencies came into Haiti to help with the immediate medical, food and shelter needs of the communities. Some stayed for a few weeks, some for several months, some are still there. Our small non-profit, - supported by your donations- has a different purpose. Instead of focusing on large expensive operations we focus on the individual family and the community to bring safe drinking water and long lasting sanitation to them. The earthquake damaged or destroyed many communities water systems and forced families to use unsafe, possibly contaminated water sources, so immediately we started planning for what we could do.
When I wrote to you last October I told you about how our teams of young volunteers had started to go out to outlying, difficult to reach communities to bring emergency supplies, help with clean up and work with families to provide safe drinking water and sanitation.
I can report on the first visits of our teams to affected communities.Two teams of volunteers went out, and teams were able to reach some affected communities that were cut off by the earthquake by motorbike. When they were able to get through, they brought some immediately needed supplies and also were able to help community members restore damaged springs and other water sources. They also talked to the families about how they can protect themselves from water borne diseases.
Now our teams will be returning several more times in the next months to continue their work. They will be testing the water sources for contamination and sharing water purification supplies. We expect to continue our work with earthquake victims for at least another year, and we are committed to bringing safe drinking water to these communities. I'm sharing a few pictures of our volunteers. They are proud of the work they do and grateful for your support.
Thank you, Tom Carter
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