Water. It’s not about lack; it’s about availability.
Cool, clear, fresh, available water.
It’s not about a lack of fresh clean water, it’s all about access.
Water; we often taken it for granted if it is plentiful and easily obtainable. The global picture for water management is not encouraging and probably worse in Africa than elsewhere. Can you imagine three-hundred million people not having access to safe water? Did you know that October 11, 2006, that was the entire population of the United States? I cannot imagine our entire country not having access to safe clean water! The inability to obtain clean safe water and the resulting poor sanitation situation keep the African people poor.
Cholera, an infection of the small intestines, and according to Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 00:49, October 15, 2010, from: cholera, is easily preventable with proper sanitation and clean water. Since this is not available in many West African villages, earlier this year, the countries of Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger had a cholera infection affecting 4,000 people and it killed more than 260 other since May of this year.
As I studied and researched this topic, I uncovered that creating clean and safe water supplies is more complicated than at first realized. There are climate changes and military conflicts that include boundary disputes. For example, Egypt gets almost all of their fresh water from the Nile River. Without water from this mighty river, this country would be little more than a habitable desert. Recently, most of the countries that occupy the Nile’s headwaters signed an agreement that grants them greater control of the river which now replaces a colonial-era veto that was held by Egypt for more than 50 years. Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have all signed this new agreement, made necessary by their rapid population growth. This put a strain on farmers in northern Egypt but countries such as Ethiopia, where millions face drought and famine, gave them little sympathy. Fortunately, Ethiopia has the necessary resources to build the infrastructure and dams it requires on the Nile River. The only win-win at this point is for the Nile countries involved to pursue unilateral water development projects.
Africa does not lack water resources, but the resources are not being efficiently utilized. With more than 160 major lakes and 17 large rivers, only 4 percent of its annual total renewable water resources for industry, agriculture, and domestic purposes are being used. As is typical, the challenge is to get the clean fresh water to those that need it most both affordably and efficiently.
It boggles the mind that government officials often do not consider water to be an engine for economic development! They typically deal with water provision and sanitation as a single, separate entity rather than part of a broad development agenda. Some governments like to hide behind lack of funds but the expert’s say it is how the money is being spent that is not effective. Solutions will come from education, women’s empowerment, community participation, building human resources, and by nurturing efficient markets. The answers will lie with people. Sanitation is a local, household, and individual issue. Communal action cannot be a substitute for effective public policy. Local support is very welcome but a government commitment to creating an infrastructure for clean water and sanitation is absolutely a requirement.
People need sustainable technology. Technology that is low cost, appropriate to the local financial and geographical conditions and within technical capacity of the benefiting community to operate and maintain it. Communities need to feel responsible and have a sense of ownership for their projects. People need to be involved in all phases and stages of the work. They need training so they can carry out the operation and maintenance of their systems themselves. People are the solution.
The purpose of my post is to bring awareness to this issue. Would you like to know more about what you personally can do to help? Get involved! There are many organizations that you give you the opportunity to change our world for the better. And, remember: conservation starts at home. If you appreciate my research and my passion to help bring fresh clean water to those that need it the most, will you please share my post with your friends and lists? Thank you for caring about our earth and its people.
To your prosperity and online success,
Deborah,
This is such an important topic, thanks for sharing the information and for sparking so many great discussions on this subject. We as Americans are so incredibly fortunate to have abundance that many of us never even recognize. It’s mind boggling that something that we take for granted is a life or death matter for millions of people that share our world.
It’s been great to see many celebrities, charitable organizations,and businesses begin to focus on this issue. Hopefully we can bring about changes that will save these precious lives.
Kathy Jodrey
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Thanks for your support, Kathy.
We all can do something to help. We can vote, write letters to government officials that have the power and influence to appropriate funds in the right directions, donate supplies, or even just donate cash to the right non-profit organization. It’s a pleasure to meet others online that feel similarly moved by the plight of those less fortunate.
Deborah
Hi Deborah, I am a retired professor. My wife have a motorhome and volunteer with two U.S. organizations almost half time. We spend one month a year with ECHO (Educational Concerns for Hunger Org.) and four months with MMAP (Mobile Missionary Assistance Program). The former supports workers with subsistence farmers in third world countries. The latter helps with Christian organizations throughout the U.S. We do maintenance, renovations, new construction – whatever is needed. I have recently been asked to join ChildVoice International to provide some agricultural advise for their efforts in Uganda. With the economy as it is, these activities are putting pressure on my retirement account, so I have joined an MLM to provide some relief here. KachingKaching is a new presence in internet commerce, already with well over a million items in its store. Those interested in keeping current on our specials or just offerings in the store can go to my store franchise, the OLDPROF superstore (http://www.kachingkachingstore.com/oldprof) or click “like” on the Old Prof facebook page (http://on.fb.me/dsjIpf)— Any purchases in our store will support our volunteer efforts. Also, those who might want a chain store franchise themselves can contact me for instructions.
Dear Prof. Harter:
I wish you much success with your cause. So many need assistance the world over. I salute you in doing all you can to provide that assistance.
Warm regards,
Deborah
I think if you dig deeper you will find that the multinationals are the ones pulling the strings go water access…so much so that they had the words changed at the united nations that impacted water access as a right.
Maude Barlowe has some pretty incredible books out on the subject and even started an advocacy NP that works to get things changed. http://www.blueplanetproject.net/
rebeccahappy recently posted..Business Marketing Tactics and TipsMarketing Minute Launch
Thanks, Rebecca:
Your comments and sharing of your knowledge have really added value here! This is what I blog for! Interaction and sharing of exeriences.
Thanks for stopping by and giving us such great info!
Deborah
I have read a number of articles about how water is going to be the flash point for wars in the next 100 years, particularly in the more impoverished parts of the world.
I would love to see more work being done on this. My church was putting together a program where they funded small water wells and purification systems for villages since larger projects tend to get lost in the corruption. It is amazing what such small and relatively inexpensive projects can do. Now I suppose the problem is to make sure you did more than just drill a well and install a system. The locals have to be committed to keeping it working. I hope it works.
Alexander, water is the #1 resource around the world. I really appreciate the comments here where you share what you have done to make a change, small or large, anything is a help. Some projects are pricey and need goverment funds or assistance and others are small and local and the people in that village are expected to deal with it themselves. We all can do something!
Your heart-felt concerns and positive thoughts can lead others to take action.
Deborah
Deborah,
This was a dynamic post, your research was obvious and when I hear about people not having enough water or not having clean water it really tugs at my heart because to be in a world as rich as we live in there should never be a lack of water for anyone. Resources should be plenty and the more people that are involved in helping to find it the lack would never be an issue.
Lori
Lori, it is hard to fathom that there are millions without access to clean fresh water. I always thought the availability might be remote villages, small groups of people that had to go to a local spring or river. I was totally caught off guard. Hundreds of millions are without.
I am happy to have helped draw attention to the needs of these people.
Deborah
Hi Deborah
This is a very serious issue, that is so staggering, it is almost impossible to imagine how far reaching it can get. The need for clean water in our world as you so eloquently stated in getting worse all the time. The action being taken is barely scratching the surface, and it is going to take more wonderful people like you to spread this word. Have you heard of awelcomeflood.com? They are a charity that finds clean water sources for ares hit hardest in Africa,and sell cool t-shirts that most all the monies go to the water. We support this charity.
Thanks Deborah
Laura & Larry
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Laura, thanks for reading and commenting.
No I was not aware of this charity organization. I really appreciate you informing us and posting the link here. See, a simple project like selling T-shirts can assist people needing fresh clean water!
As long as we all do something, it will start to snowball forward!
Deborah
This is very frightening to fathom…how Africa as well as other countries are in need of clean drinking water. I am partnered with several organizations that are great supporters in this area. However, we still need more faith movers and partners to step up in participating to make a difference in these water crisis..I have already shared this. I hope we receive more resources for these crying countries.
Thanks a million,
Ruth McCrackin
Good to see you here, Ruth:
I can see your heart and warmth in your comments. They are much appreciated. Even more, it is comforting to know there are others that care, take a stand, and follow through by making a difference in this world for those that have less.
Thank you for sharing,
Deborah
Deborah,
What an important post, sharing information that we should all know about. While reading your comment that government officials do not view water as “an engine for economic development,” I had a vision of these same “officials” sitting, relaxing and drinking glasses of cool, clean, perhaps bottled water as their constituents are either thirsty, scrambling for clean water or suffering from unclean water related diseases.
Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone recently posted..The centenarian’s secret
Hello, Dr. Erica:
I, too, am a visual person and appreciate your view on this. I am sure you are right!
Warm regards,
Deborah
I spent several weeks in Algeria (Northern Africa) in the late nineties. Most people do have water there. Some only cold, some also hot. Since the majority of Algeria is desert, having only cold water is not their biggest problem.
During my visit, it happened several times that there was no water. We would open the taps, so we would know when we would have water again (sometimes days later). Even though the houses look the same and they have taps and sinks and so forth, having water is not a given. It made me realize how lucky we are to always have water at our disposal.
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Karin:
Your personal experiences that you have shared here are invaluable. Thank you for stopping by and letting us experience this topic through your eyes.
Thank for sharing!
Deborah
Excellent post.
You are right on.
The government just does not get it!
Great blog.
Thank you, Maggie, for stopping by and reading.
Support is always appreciated and necessary for change to take place.
Again, Thank you.
Deborah
Thank you so much for a great post Deborah to get the word out. I am very active in supporting this issue as you can see in my recent post.http://blog.prosperyourmind.com/2010/10/clean-drinking-water/
Thanks again for being another supporter of this worthy cause,
Michael
Mr. Personal Development Michael Berry recently posted..Bible Origination
I appreciate your efforts, Michael. More people need to be aware of the realities of 2010.
I was aware of the lack of fresh drinking water after natural disasters and wars, but I had no idea that it is a daily struggle for hundreds of millions of people.
One day, this will be a non-issue!
Deborah
Hi Deborah~
Thank you for writing on this very important topic ~ I was so pleased to see that it was the topic for Blog Action Day. The company I’m with donated $100,000 a few years back to build a school and put in a clean drinking water system in the village, and by doing so, allowed the girls to actually go to school! Before they couldn’t, because they spent their days walking miles back and forth retrieving water. The situation is dire. I appreciate you taking the time to research and spread the word.
Many blessings,
Beth
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Beth, the pleasure is all mine!
Thank you for being a caring and motivated person that went the extra step and did something that changed lives! Our children are the future. Just think about the effects of having an education and giving them hope will have on these girls! The world is very challenging and you just gave them something that they may not have had without your efforts and those that contributed. Bless you, your efforts, and those everywhere that make the choice to change a life!
Continued success, Beth:
Deborah
Hi, Deborah,
Really an eye-opening post. Thanks for the detail and information. It seems that a lot of the diseases we thought were eradicated – polio, smallpox, cholera – have made a bit of a comeback recently. Time to increase our focus on what is truly important. Thanks.
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Hello, Angela:
I’m glad the post is getting attention; that is the point after all! As we go about our daily tasks, we have to remember that someone always has more difficult challenges than we do. The next step is to take action, do what we can when we can to really make a difference.
I appreciate the value you bring with you in your comments,
Deborah
Hi Deborah,
There are so many world problems that it’s overwhelming.. but water, one of the main sources, besides air that keeps us alive at peril is just mind boggling to me. Raising awareness is key and This is about the 4th post (so far in my travels) I’ve seen on this topic, thanks for being one of them. By the way, I love your blog! It’s come a long way!
Lesly Federici recently posted..Wheres Your Mummy
I appreciate you stopping by, Lesly. It’s a pleasure. The statistics are what is so shocking; and the numbers are… people. We have to care and do what we can to give those who “have not” get the necessary access to live a decent life.
To your online and offline success,
Deborah
When I saw this post and the comments made, I was almost moved to tears because I know what it feels like not to have access to clean water. And to see the statistics of children who die by the hands of something we can actually prevent, is heart breaking. Unfortunately many of our government officials hardly see these aspect, sometimes I wonder how they live with that.
I really appreciate people like you who make effort by creating awareness. Hope it goes a long way. Thanks for sharing.
Hello, Victoria:
This is why we all blogged about water. Most people have no idea what others have to go through just to get fresh water. We are so blessed and have to do all we can to assist those that don’t have the access. It always seems to come down to “red tape” and money. Just picture if it were you and you had to lug a 40 lb. container on your back for bathing, cooking, and drinking water. And, if the trek was a 2 or 3 hour journey one way. Your whole day and all your energy would be spent on this one vital task per day! Not to mention weather related issues or if you felt ill or weak. I can’t even finish this comment as I am a visual person…
I appreciate your comments and thank you.
Deborah
Hey Deborah,
It’s hard to imagine a world without enough drinkable water to go around. It’s like something from one of those Sci-Fi movies about the future being a desolate desert where people hoard clean water and fight over it.
Being conscience about it now is a must to ensure that those Sci-Fi movies don’t become a reality.
In Success,
Howie Perks
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What a great analogy, Howie.
I love Sci-Fi but I wouldn’t want to see this one; it wouldn’t be entertaining. Thanks for stopping by and adding value!
Best wishes in your online endeavors,
Deborah
Hi Deborah,
Fantastic piece about this important issue. Cholera? I mean it seems completely crazy to me that cholera is killing people – so completely needless and unnecessary. It’s bad enough that people have to die from diseases that we can’t cure or prevent or treat – things we can do something about? Ridiculous!
Anyway, this is one of the causes that is dear to our hearts, and we just closed up a fundraising campaign with charity:water. We are opening up our next campaign now – they help build wells – you can see on their site with GPS coordinates places they have helped – this often seems to wind up occurring near medical clinics. We teamed up with other traffic exchanges and text ad exchanges to offer promo codes as thank yous to people who donated to encourage donations. We are just starting this new campaign. http://rainbowtrafficsolutions.yolasite.com Know it’s small, but every bit helps! – Rob
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Bless you and people like you that do what you can to take action! This is wonderful! What goes around comes around and I see a lot coming your way! Just keep doing every little bit you can to bring awareness to others and encourage right actions. It’s going to happen! We can help these people!
Keep the faith,
Deborah
Hi Deborah,
I read a lot of posts on this topic on Blog Action Day. I thought it was a really great topic to dedicate a massive amount of blogs to so awareness was heightened and perhaps something might move forward and be done about it. We often feel powerless to help, but you just never know the difference you can make by caring, writing about it, contributing in any way that you can. Still, it is so hard to believe that water, which we generally take for granted, is desperately needed by so very many people around the world. Three hundred million? It’s unbelievable that this is happening. I read that 5,000 children die from water-related illness—every day. It’s heart breaking!
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You have a big heart, Deb! Thank you for sharing your loving sentiments for those less fortunate. I truly am hoping that if enough of us make it “a big deal” and hold those responsible that can actually get things moving, I pray this will be a non-issue. These are human beings. Our brothers and sisters needing the basics of life. Imagine if each and every day, more than half your day was spent physically lugging water back to your home. Unthinkable.
Best wishes to you,
Deborah
There really is no excuse for children dying because they don’t have access to clean water. In this age of technology there must be more that can be done. It is sickening to think how much money governments are spending in the efforts in Iran and Afghanistan when a lot of that money could be saving lives.
Charity Water is a great organization to support and a means to really make a difference in the world!
Thanks for a great and informative post Deborah!
Wendy
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I couldn’t agree more, Wendy. Billions of dollars; probably more like trillions of dollars are spent globally on war and annihilating various groups of people globally. Why can’t world governments see the needs of their own people, feel their pain, and commit to making the necessary changes so people can have access to basic human needs? How can they look at statistics, look their people in the face, and then say, “I don’t think this issue is important enough?” If someone can explain this to me, maybe we could solve it quicker!
Warm regards,
Deborah
Deborah, your study and research produced an article that gives us all something to think about. As to government not considering water to be an engine for economic development, this is more than an economic problem. Consider how governments which are people, sometimes look at the various classes of people and use them for their power. Hopefully your awareness article will help bring about a tipping point on this situation.
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Perry, it’s always a pleasure to have you stop by. Your supportive comments and observations mean a great deal. If people would just take a moment to consider their blessings and the things we take for granted every day; then commit to help other have the same rights and access to everyday human needs… the world will be a better place, indeed.
Much success to you my friend,
Deborah
Deborah, First, I want to say thank you for the great post. It seems that I’ve read many blogs recently about clean water being a problem. The more I read about it, the more I am moved by the people who help the poor countries get clean water. Thank you again.
Yes, Gary. October 15 was Blog Action Day with the focus being on clean fresh water. That’s probably why you saw so many blogging about it. It’s an annual event with a different cause/focus each year.
We have to care about the earth’s resources and people’s availability to clean safe water and sanitation. It’s every human being’s right! If we don’t care, we aren’t really human.
Thank you for commenting and caring,
Deborah
Thanks for sharing. It made me laugh a little when you mentioned how “It boggles the mind that government officials often do not consider water to be an engine for economic development!”
They miss the boat on countless other more in your face topics and this is something we need to survive!
How do you think we can make it a more prominent topic to officials?
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Joe, it is so pathetic, isn’t it? It’s so obvious what’s needed. I just hope to get individuals to commit to making a difference whether it’s in their local communities or worldwide. We all have a say and we all can do something to help those in need.
Thank you for reading and commenting. Wishing you success online and in your world.
Deborah
The problem on the continent of Africa, for example, is that water cannot be used directly from those lakes and rivers any more than it can be here in the US. The water has to go through filtration processes. With 54 countries on the continent, that means billions of dollars to create the infrastructure it would take to bring clean water to all citizens.
Here in the U.S. an estimated 45 million people still get their water from wells because they live beyond the economic reach of public water supplies. Small towns simply do not have the millions, often billions, of dollars it takes to provide city water to each home. Instead each home pays to have a well drilled costing thousands of dollars…. a price we can hardly expect families in other parts of the world to afford.
The bottom line is if we don’t step up and help as individuals, the job will not get done. Organizations like Charity: water and many ministries are proving it can be done when we come together to help others.
Statistically, 38,000 children are dying this week because of their lack of access to clean drinking water. The faster we step up to help, the sooner we can put a stop to that…..
Thanks, Deborah, for bringing such an important issue to light!
To your continued success,
Robin
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Thank YOU, Robin, for assisting me with great comments and statistics about the issue of getting clean drinking water to those that need it. I can’t believe how many government officials just look the other way and feel water and sanitation are problems for the locals to solve. It breaks my heart to think about how the water is there but women and children have to carry it, sometimes for many miles… and the process starts over again the next day.
Hopefully, we can reach many and get people committed to helping and not just sit idly by.
Warm regards and best wishes in your endeavors,
Deborah
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