Mission
Opportunities
Living
Waters for the World trains
and equips church
mission groups and others to share the gift of clean water
with communities in need.
Living Waters for the
World has established regional networks in
countries where groundwork has already been laid by previous
LWW mission groups. One purpose of these networks is
to identify clean water mission opportunities
and to bring initiating and operating partners together whenever possible.
If
your group does not currently have a prospective mission partner
in need of clean water, we encourage
you to review the information outlined
below.
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Contact: William Milam, LWW Dominican Republic Coordinating Team Network Moderator
The DR shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti. It is a Spanish speaking country. While poor, the people are hard working. They feel a strong connection with the US through baseball and family members in Miami, New York, and other cities. Most of the younger citizens are learning to speak English. Due to a combination of limited governmental budgets, geography and other reasons, infrastructure has not kept up with the needs of the population. As a result, the poor spend a significant portion of their income purchasing potable water. The poorest of the poor drink from contaminated sources and pay a high price with health ailments.
Opportunity
There is an urgent need for clean water systems in the DR, especially along the southern coast. Both surface water and well water are contaminated due to population density, agriculture and limited wastewater infrastructure. However, the DR is fertile ground for groups looking for a project location. Plumbing and electrical supplies are relatively abundant and transportation there is convenient (especially through Miami, Atlanta and New York). Sometimes things do take a little longer, being on “DR time”, but the quality of workmanship is first rate. Potential operating partners include service clubs, churches and co-ops. Although the LWW DR network is just getting started, our experience thus far indicates that the Operating Partners readily embrace both the water treatment and health & hygiene aspects of the mission.
U.S. congregations
of any denomination or civic organizations wishing
to participate in the the LWW DR Network are invited to contact William Milam, LWW DR Network Coordinating Team Moderator, to learn of potential opportunities.
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Contact: Jim Levernier, LWW Ghana Network Coordinating Team Moderator
In 2006 the first Living Waters for the World system was installed in Abetifi, Ghana. The pioneering church that installed it encouraged a sister church to join the work and there are now 10 functioning systems in Ghana. In 2010 Ghana became LWW’s latest Network and the dream of having a LWW training school in Ghana became a long term goal. In 2011 a covenant was signed between LWW and the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG) formalizing a relationship that has been growing from the beginning and making the PCG an Initiating Partner in Ghana. Ghana has a stable government and developing economy. It is one of the most stable countries in Africa, positioning itself for leadership on that continent.
Opportunity
The demand in Ghana for LWW systems and health education has grown beyond the means of just two congregations. The two churches supporting the Network are committed to continue, but need USA partners to join them. The PCG is fully supportive of Initiating Partners from the USA; providing them with transportation, board and housing while they are in Ghana. The Ghanaian people, and the PCG in particular, have the faith, strength and determination to lift their country to a modern level of health and education. Working with them is a joy because their progress is so tangible.
U.S. congregations of any denomination or civic organizations wishing to establish a partnership with a congregation, school or community in Ghana for the purpose of bringing training in health/hygiene education and installing a water treatment system are invited to contact Jim Levernier, LWW Ghana Network Coordinating Team Moderator, to learn of potential opportunities.
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Contact: Todd Jenkins, LWW
Guatemala Network Coordinating Team Moderator
More than half of Guatemala’s population lives below the poverty level, with nearly a quarter living on less than $2/day. It is a very diverse nation in terms of culture, terrain, and language. Guatemala boasts a large concentration of volcanoes (some currently active), which are partly responsible for its plethora of topographic formations and climates. In addition to Spanish (which is spoken only by a portion of the population), Guatemala has more than 20 other dialects, spoken by members of tribes descended from its ancient Mayan civilization. In areas of the country where Mayan culture is still dominant, ancient customs, practices, and beliefs are guiding community influences, deeply connecting people to the earth and its sacred resources.
Opportunity
Currently, there are over 70 Living Waters for the World filtration systems installed across Guatemala, providing each of the surrounding communities with an opportunity to live longer, more healthful lives because they are finally free of water-borne illness and disease. Some of the systems operate near metropolitan areas, some in the vast open spaces of barely-populated wilderness, and some in many places in between. For churches, civic groups, and other organizations that are interested in immersing themselves in Guatemalan culture and developing healthful relationships, this country offers a variety of opportunities for life-changing mission for all partners.
Congregations
of any denomination or civic organizations wishing
to participate in the the LWW Guatemala Network are invited to contact Todd Jenkins, LWW Guatemala Network Coordinating Team Moderator for more information.
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The Living Waters Network in the Republic of Haiti was established in 2008 to coordinate, train and create sustainability for the rapidly growing number of treatment plants located there. Little Brothers of Saint Therese (LBST) and OCDES (Organization, Communication, Development, Education and Social) are the two main non-profits though which most of our communication and money is channeled. LBST is a Catholic order that has 16 houses and 75 brothers scattered in various parts of Haiti. OCDES is in charge of operating over 40 Episcopalian schools for over 14,000 school children. Living Waters also works with other non-profit organizations such as Haiti Education Foundation, Global Orphan Project, and Haiti Outreach Ministries to install systems at their sites.
Opportunity
Ayiti (Haiti) is often called the land where good intentions come to die. It is the poorest country in this hemisphere. There is very little potable drinking water in Haiti other than purchased, bottled water; the need for the services of organizations like Living Waters for the World is great. This need was greatly exacerbated by the 2010 earthquake that devastated the country. LWW Haiti Network Coordinating Team leaders Chris McRae and Bob McCoy traveled to Haiti to make an initial assessment of the damage to LWW systems. The first goal was to reinstate all systems damaged by the earthquake. With that goal achieved, initiating partners are now working off of a priority list of sites, provided by the Network, to address the great need of clean water in Haiti.
Teams continue to be formed and trained, and existing teams are being encouraged to consider Haiti sites as Initiating Partners. Individual volunteers interested in working in Haiti are being recorded and will be placed with teams where feasible. Grants to assist with equipment purchases are available to teams considering Haiti.
The Haiti Network continues to work with Solar Under the Sun in providing solar-powered water systems. We are committed to retrofitting our other Haitian systems (those having inadequate energy infrastructure) with solar power, as well as to use solar power for all future water systems there (where no grid connection exists). The additional cost for solar power generation for a LWW system is approx. $5000 ($7000 with a solar powered well pump).
NOTE: If you are interested in becoming directly involved with the solar-powered aspects of our Haitian Clean Water Systems, please attend the SUTS Solar School, the training and equipping ministry of the Synod of the Sun’s Solar Under the Sun project. Future dates for solar schools are:
September 15 – 18, 2011
May 17 – 20, 2012
September 13 - 16, 2012
By sending students to attend both the Solar I and Solar II workshops during a Solar School session, teams will be capable of implementing solar to power not only water treatment systems, but other applications as well.
NOTE If your team has not yet been trained at Clean Water U, please click here for a list of Living Waters for the World training dates.
U.S. congregations of any denomination or civic organizations wishing to participate in the LWW Haiti Network during this time of rebuilding and expansion are invited to contact Ashley Broadhurst for more information.
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Contact: Dave Parks, LWW Honduras Network Coordinating Team Moderator
Honduras is a country of contrasts. Bordering on both the Pacific and the Caribbean, the terrain varies from beaches to volcanic mountains. It is the most central of the Central American countries, bordering Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. While quite modern in the largest cities, it is quite poor and undeveloped for the most part. Politically, it is relatively stable with significant foreign investment and industry. The people are hardworking, and many have family ties in the U.S. Spanish is the major language although English is taught in schools and spoken widely. Infrastructure is minimal in rural area with few public water and sanitation systems. It is a myth that only tourists suffer illness from drinking contaminated water. Malnutrition, diarrhea and dysentery are commonplace. Approximately 5% of the population can afford to drink bottled water on a regular basis, leaving the vast majority without clean water to drink.
Opportunity
There are many existing partnerships between U.S.-based churches and Honduran organizations. These include Honduran churches, health clinics, daycare centers, orphanages, and humanitarian aid organizations. Living Waters for the World offers the opportunity to significantly increase the impact of these existing relationships by providing one of the most essential human needs. The impact on improving health and helping break the cycle of poverty is almost immediate. The number of LWW systems in Honduras is growing rapidly and expanding into new areas of the country. There are many opportunities for Initiating Partners in the U.S. who desire to establish a partnership in Honduras to provide clean water, either as a new stand-alone team, or in conjunction with existing teams serving Honduras.
U.S. congregations
of any denomination or civic organizations wishing
to participate in the the LWW Honduras Network are invited to contact Dave Parks, LWW Honduras Network Coordinating Team Moderator, to learn of potential opportunities.
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Nicaragua is a country of contrasts, extending from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea, from Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. It is a country rich in natural beauty, from the many lakes to the numerous volcanoes and rolling hills, yet poor in so many ways. Considered to be the second poorest country in the western hemisphere, the annual per capita income is approximately $430. The infant mortality rate (for those under five years of age) is over 6% and malnutrition runs about 40% among children. More than 82% of the population lives in extreme poverty, making less than $1 a day. About two-thirds of the population has no access to adequate sewer systems. Yet the Nicaraguan people are very warm and accepting of foreigners. There are magnificent volcanoes in many regions, two large lakes (Managua and Nicaragua) and many smaller ones, tropical conditions at the lower elevations and many cool mountainous areas. It is often the same items of natural beauty that create so many natural disasters: hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, floods, and droughts.
Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America (about the size of New York) and yet with just over 5 million people has the smallest population. Geographically Nicaragua is divided into seventeen departments (similar to states or provinces) two of which, the autonomous regions of the Atlantic, were given limited self-rule in the mid 1980s. Only 12% of the roads are paved. Primary crops are coffee, bananas, sugar cane, cotton, rice, corn, and tobacco. There is over 50% underemployment.
Opportunity
The need for clean water is great and in many areas there is a significant need for any water, especially in the dry season (which extends from at least October through May). In the few urban and "touristy" areas, bottled water is available but at a high cost. There are currently more than a dozen Nicaraguan LWW systems that are in process or already operational, two in the Leon area, more than six in the Matagalpa area, two that are well north of Jinotega, one on Isla de Ometepe, and an emergency unit that is available to respond to hurricanes or other natural disasters, and more groups are continually looking at coming on board.
U.S. congregations
of any denomination or civic organizations wishing
to participate in the the LWW Nicaragua Network are invited to contact Doug Sullivan-Gonzalez, LWW Nicaragua Network Coordinating Team Moderator, to learn of potential opportunities.
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Contact: Joanie
Lukins, LWW Yucatan Network Coordinating Team Moderator
“Don’t
drink the water!” Anyone
who has traveled to Mexico has heard that warning, for
virtually
all water sources in the country are contaminated with bacteria
and/or parasites, causing serious health problems for local
residents, as well as travelers. But there are now over 60
communities in the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico where one
can drink safe water, thanks to Living Waters for the World
water systems; and more are in progress at this time!
Opportunity
In January 2005,
a covenant was formed between Synod of Living Waters, Presbyterian
Church (USA) and Synod of the (Yucatan) Peninsula, National
Presbyterian Church of Mexico, whereby those two bodies
became partners in the delivery of clean water to appropriate
areas in the Yucatan. Working together, the two bodies
have identified a number of communities in which a clean water system would be successful.
U.S. congregations
of any denomination or civic organizations wishing
to establish a partnership with a congregation in the Yucatan
for the
purpose of installing
a water
system and developing an ongoing relationship are invited to contact Joanie
Lukins, LWW Yucatan Network Coordinating Team Moderator, to learn of potential opportunities.
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Living Waters for the World teams are currently active in the Appalachia region of the US, primarily in Eastern Tennessee and Kentucky. As of January 1, 2012, over 60 clean water systems were installed in 6 communities.
Installations in the US are in-home systems that treat contaminated water for individual homes as opposed to community-based systems commonly found in international installations that provide water for a schools, health clinics or entire communities. Challenges in the Appalachian region include groundwater contamination by coal mining and oil/gas recovery, bacterial contamination of wells and springs, and high iron content that complicates standard treatment processes.
These systems are installed in partnership between area churches and community organizatons where homeowners are impacted by contaminated water.
Opportunity
The short-range goal is continue installation activities in communities in Tennessee and Kentucky, with a long-range goal of churches expanding these services across Appalachia and into other areas of the US where homeowners are in need of water treatment systems.
Churches of any denomination or civic organizations wishing to participate in LWW's US program are invited to attend Clean Water U to learn more about Living Waters for the World's ministry and how service areas and projects are developed there. For more information, please send an email to infolww@livingwaterswfortheworld.org.
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