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. The 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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“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 44
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 Coordinator, to learn of potential opportunities.
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The El Salvador
network is LWW's newest, currently with 3 active
water systems and 4 installations in prospectus.
We work a
bit differently than the other networks in that we have been
dealing with community organizations called ADESCOS instead
of with churches. Each ADESCO is an organization
of local business and other leaders which is chartered
by the national government, and which is tasked with
community development. ADESCOS often focus on water systems,
but they also might have projects in schools, health
and sanitation etc. When we survey a site in El
Salvador, we give
preference to a site with an active ADESCO with a track record.
Dealing with the ADESCO also means that the water system is
going to be run
as a business, but not necessarily for profit. They want to provide
clean water at the lowest price, so that the system
can pay for itself, and no one goes without.
The
El Salvador is network is also blessed with an excellent working
relationship with the Peace Corps. They are glad to help their
villagers get water projects, and having them as local contacts
is very handy.
Opportunity
El Salvador
is a small country, but there is still plenty of demand for
clean water systems. For guidance on forming a partnership with
an El Salvadoran community in need of clean water, contact Nancy
Losure, LWW El Salvador Network Coordinator.
Recent pictures from
El Salvador:
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Contact: Bill Bowman, LWW Appalachia Network Coordinator
The Appalachian network is currently active in two communities, Buffalo Creek and Viking Mountain, near Jellico and Greeneville Tennessee, respectively. As of year-end 2008, there are 16 installations in Viking Mountain and 16 in Buffalo Creek. Installations in the US are single family units instead of community units, to comply with EPA regulations. Challenges in the Appalachian region include treatment of groundwater contaminated by coal mining and oil/gas recovery, bacterial contamination in groundwater and springs, and high iron content that hampers standard treatment processes for other contaminants. These systems are installed in partnership between local and area churches and community organizatons where homeowners are impacted by bad water conditions.
Opportunity
The short range goal is to expand the installation activities into Kentucky in the 2009 timeframe, through use of Federal USDA Rural Development funding in combination with administrative support from a regional non-profit (Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties) and additional financial support from Rotary International. In the longer term, it is hoped to expand these services across the Appalachian region to any community organization where homeowners are in need of water treatment systems.
Our network seeks churches, civic groups, and individuals who desire to bring clean water to those in need in this beautiful, but neglected, area of the country. Since "on-the-job" training is provided for installing systems, attendance at Clean Water U is not required to participate, but may be useful.
U.S. congregations
of any denomination or civic organizations wishing
to participate in the the LWW Appalachia Network are invited to contact Bill Bowman, LWW Appalachia Network Coordinator, to learn of potential opportunities.
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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 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 with 14,000 school children. They also oversee the operation of Living Waters plants located at these schools. A warehouse has been established in country to provide backup parts for all the existing and future treatment plants. As of mid-2008, five Haitians have been trained at Clean Water U; they can go to a treatment facility and attend to any need that may arise. Two more systems will come on line later in the year, and at least three systems are in early planning stages for the following year.
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; the need for the services of organizations like Living Waters for the World is great.
U.S. congregations
of any denomination or civic organizations wishing
to participate in the the LWW Haiti Network are invited to contact Chris McRae and Bob McCoy, LWW Haiti Network Coordinators, to learn of potential opportunities.
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Contact: William Milam, LWW Dominican Republic Network Coordinator
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 Dominican Republic Network Coordinator, to learn of potential opportunities.
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Contact: Tim Exley, LWW Honduras Network Coordinator
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 Tim Exley, LWW Honduras Network Coordinator, to learn of potential opportunities.
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