On October 4, 2013, 12 individuals will leave for 9 days to Cap-Hatien Haiti with the goal of drilling a well for a village in Haiti that has never had the experience of fresh running water. This will be the second trip to Haiti for some members of this group who traveled there in February of 2012 to drill a successful well for an orphanage there.
Everything begins with water. It is the foundation for all other forms of development and without it there is no life. Children are the most vulnerable to waterborne disease, and women the most burdened in collecting it. Water access means better education, health, economies and lives.
Some interesting facts about fresh water in this world:
- 783 million people in this world lack access to safe water
- Safe water, a toilet, and clean hands could prevent 90% of the 2.2 million deaths per year caused by water related illness (of which Haiti is one of the worst)
- Kids could regain 443 million school days lost to water related diseases and the task of handling water if they could access clean safe water nearby.
- With the access to safe water over 40 billion hours of productivity could be redirected to economic development.
Haiti has one of the worst outbreaks of cholera of any country in the world. Haiti is said to be 90% Christian and 100% Voodoo. Voodoo leaders in Haiti use this sickness to keep citizens of Haiti afraid and under their control. With fresh water comes wellness. With wellness comes breaking the chains of the voodoo bondage. This opens the door for groups like this to begin Christian outreach and support as we bring life in the spiritual and physical sense.
We will be posting a daily blog starting on October 5 for those that would like to keep up with this effort. If you are interested in finding out more about Living Water International please visit the Living Water International website at www.water.cc. This water well is also being sponsored by Gateway Church South Campus Ministries in Austin Texas.
Feel free to post comments or questions as we will be posting and checking posts each evening as internet access permits.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for this exciting journey.
We are praying for your well & for your safety. God bless you. & your new Haitian friends.