We just found out that our first clean water project in Salesatele, Samoa is now finished! That’s what we’re about, bringing clean water to those who need it.

Erica who hosted us there writes – “The village covered the spring from contaminants and put rocks around where water came out from the spring to make it a true pool of water for people to collect water. The cover will keep the water clean and free from debris.”

So project #1 is done! We’ve begun looking for a new one to support and it’s by people buying wurld water that we can keep doing this. If you can help us, or know someone who can, please get in touch with us.

Erica Wales, the Peace Corps volunteer who is running the Salesatele freshwater spring project in Samoa has recently posted about our visit there in November, along with a couple more pics.

Erica was a great host, and we got on really well with her during our visit there. I’m sure you’d like to read what she had to say about us, the project, and see the pictures…so just click the link to read her blog entry.

wurld funded this project just before the tragic tsunami in October, so we were very concerned for the safety of those involved when we heard the news.

The village men were lucky because they were to be working on the project when the tsunami hit, but everyone got out in time after the earthquake. The project had been started but fortunately not destroyed. There was some minor damage to a rock wall the men had built, but they’ve fixed that and are keeping going. The supplies were all in a secure location and not washed away.

what’s the water issue?:

• The source for their water currently is a pipe from a river in a nearby village. When heavy rain comes, the pipe water is tainted brown and is unfit for drinking or cooking. Further to this, sometimes the pipes get turned off for no apparent reason and they have to start fetching water.
• The village does have a small river which forms the eastern border of the village, and this has a freshwater spring bubbling up. This area is cemented off, forming a very small reservoir. But it’s not big enough for practical use and the clean water runs into the river unused. Plus, when heavy rain comes, the water is tainted brown and is unfit for drinking or cooking.
• This project will create a vaita’ele or freshwater pool with the spring. The small existing reservoir will be covered and feed in to the large pool, which will be used as a source of clean, fresh water to be used for drinking and cooking, as well as for laundry and bathing.
• Funds will be used to buy cement and other supplies. The village will provide all labour and the services of a carpenter to oversee construction.
• This project will serve around 350 people in 40 households.

who’s running it?: We have funded it through an organisation called ‘Water Charity’. They have an initiative called ‘Appropriate Projects’ where they identify small but critical water and sanitation projects worldwide. All projects are less than US$500 and must be completed within a month. No bureaucracy, appropriate technology and high immediate impact (just what we like).

when’s it happening: We (Jared & Ruth) visited the project on 14th November, and it should be all finished by the end of November. Plus, it will be named after wurld!

cost: US$500, and this project has been funded before we’ve even sold a bottle of wurld water… so get buying and we can do much more!

why: We chose this project because of the close link the Pacific Islands have with NZ. It’s great to help your neighbours!

For more info, have a look at the Appropriate Projects website.

We’ve just been to see the project, so we’ll put more photos and video up really soon!