Fwd: November News - Biosand Filters for Families, New Christmas Site, Water for the World Act

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November 2009 Dear Friends,   Over the past five years, Blood:Water Mission has made a vital impact on bringing safe water to communities in Africa.  The significance can't be understated; through your support we have been able to provide water to more than 700 communities in Africa, serving over 500,00 people.  We are thankful for what has been accomplished so far, and want to share with you where we are now.   This holiday season, we're inviting you to join us in a very personal effort to bring safe water to over 1600 individual homes in Zambia.  This is made possible via household units called Biosand filters which are able to eliminate up to 98% of the dangerous pathogens typically found in the water.  Through these filters, an entire family can have access to clean water for only $85!  It's amazing that for 1/3 the price of an iPod, a family in Zambia can have up to 20 years of safe water.   Visit www.bloodwatermission.com/christmas We hope you'll visit the site and consider giving the gift of clean water to a family this Christmas.     ~ Jena Nardella,  Executive Director, Blood:Water Mission   Sometimes the problem isn't having access to water, but that the water they have is horribly contaminated and causes disease. This issue can be addressed in individual homes through the use of a Biosand filter, which eliminates up to 98% of disease-causing bacteria in the water. This technology allows dirty water to be  filtered through a naturally forming biological layer, sand and gravel to produce safe, disease-free water. These filters last 10-20 years and cost only $85. It's amazing when you think about it, that for the price that we might spend on a single gift, an entire family can have access to one of its most basic needs: safe water.   Through our local partner in Zambia, the Biosand program not only manufactures the filters locally, but builds local ownership through training and maintenance - which is critical to the long-term success of any program.  They learn about how Biosand filters work, participate in making a filter, sift the gravel and sand that fills the filter, and are introduced to several other hygiene and sanitation technologies. Mothers and fathers tell of the dramatic effect these filters have had on their families. Virigina, a mother of 3, said that the Biosand filter has made a big impact on her health, but that more needs to be done because not every household has a filter. She says she, "would love to see a healthy nation, and if you have a healthy community, you have a healthy nation." The work will not be complete until every family has safe water. Join us in responding to Virigina and the safe water needs of Zambia.    Visit www.bloodwatermission.com/christmas where you can watch a video about the filters, sponsor your own, and easily share the info through print and web resources. If you want to give a filter as a gift on behalf of someone, there are printable Christmas cards you can use to let them know. 1600 families is a lofty goal, but we know that with enough support we can make sure that these homes in Zambia don't spend another year without safe drinkable water.   Here are just a few ways you can help: Buy a filter as a gift on behalf of your family Give a filter on behalf of a friend or another family for their Christmas gift (be sure to print one of the cards) Ask for a filter in lieu of one gift for yourself Get your church, school, or office involved Share the website & video with friends and family www.bloodwatermission.com/christmas         Blood:Water Mission and Jars of Clay are adding their voice to the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009   At a press conference being held on Nov. 23, Jars of Clay, representing Blood:Water Mission, will add their voice along with Senator Bob Corker and other advocates in bringing attention to this pending legislation. Corker, R-Tenn, and Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill, are lead sponsors of the bi-partisan Water for the World Act, S. 624, which sets a goal of reaching 100 million people with first-time, sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015. The bill would expand safe water and sanitation efforts, promote research and technology development, provide grants, and improve training and technical assistance to help meet the water needs of the world's poor. Blood:Water has chosen to highlight this important legislation after seeing the commitment toward local empowerment, sustainability and holistic development. Learning from the missteps of the past, the act sharpens its focus on sustainability by emphasizing efforts that empower and increase the capacity of local and regional partners, train local leaders, and ensure that water resources are being managed more wisely and productively.  By re-prioritizing and improving the effectiveness of existing and already funded efforts the act has the potential to make a major impact through expanding best practices and smart reform. This act has become a priority for the U.S. collectively for a number of reasons. Water and poverty are inextricably linked. In addition to the obvious health impact, safe water scarcity restrains economic growth, limits the opportunities of women and girls to work or go to school, and has contributed to political unrest and global security risks. Every $1 invested in safe drinking water and sanitation produces an $8 return in costs averted and productivity gained.  Clearly water is a wise place to invest in these difficult economic times.   If you would like to join with us in support of this crucial piece of legislation, let your congressional representative know. Click HERE to add your voice.     ~ Matt Ward, Director of Grassroots Initiatives   My time in Uganda was filled with laughter. We laughed when we saw each other in the morning, when we told stories, when we walked through villages, when we shared tea, and simply at a funny look. In a moment there is laughter. Contagious laughter. So beautiful; I wish I could bottle it up and take it home. I once got an email from a colleague listening to my laughter through our shared wall that was titled, "I love your laughter." She would have loved to have been in Uganda with me where laughter is sometimes found in the unlikeliest of things... Continue Reading HERE   ~ Pamela Crane, PhD, Water Projects Manager

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