Water Filters used to help victims of favela (slum) fire in Brazil
Posted: January 28th 2012
Back in June of 2011 we were blessed to have Bob Young (of Texas Baptist Men’s Water Filter Ministry) and his wife, Leah, here ministering with us in the favelas of Sao Paulo. They experienced first-hand the poverty and misery of the poor favela dwellers. The lack of sanitation and proper hygiene was overwhelming.
Recently we have used many filters in disaster relief for people who have lost everything in a huge fire. One of the favelas in which we minister and evangelize in (Favela Moinho) suffered a terrible fire just a few days before Christmas which destroyed hundreds of wooden shacks. People had to be rescued via helicopter. Contrary to media and police reports, many lives were lost. In the aftermath of chaos the residents were forced to salvage anything they could and survive on the streets and under bridges.
Needless to say the conditions are precarious. A small team from the Health Department was making rounds throughout the favela and advised a mother there to get her child to the hospital as he was suffering from diarrhea. Our team quickly put together much-needed water filters and provided disposable cups for those who had no clean drinking water. Filters were also given to some residents who were trying to rebuild their huts in the area which was not totally burned down.
We are very grateful to the Texas Baptist Men’s Water Filter Project and to Just Water LLC for providing these filters and making all of this possible!
Blessings,
Pete & Jodi
www.feedmysheepbrazil.com
Texas Baptist Men donate 1000 filters to favelas in Brazil
Posted: October 7th 2011
We would like to thank the Texas Baptist Men’s organization for another donation of 1000 water filters! What a blessing the filters have been, not just for those who are benefitting from them, but for our ministry as well. They have proven to be a wonderful evangelism tool and great door openers.
We host several international mission teams per year and we teach them how to present the gospel using the filters. It’s an amazing sight to see junior and senior high school kids giving the Gospel for the very first time using this method.
Bob, Chairman of the Water Ministry for TBM, and his wife Leah have been such an encouragement to us and the AMO team. Leah thanks for blessing the children and helping out Jodi in the kitchen!
Art Creation Foundation For Children establishes fund to provide water filters for children in Haiti
Posted: July 12th 2011
Back last fall, we (Art Creation Foundation For Children) were searching for a water filtration/purification system that we could use onsite. We have 100 children/youth plus staff on premise daily.We looked at several systems that
would help to preclude cholera and make potable the water that sometimes flows through our pipes via Jacmel water system and/or water truck delivery.
We ended up purchasing systems from two sources, and both systems worked extremely well and are holding up to heavy use since January 2011.
One source is A Better World, for jerrycan and individual size systems. Easy, works, well. The plus is nothing to assemble, nothing to do which is a huge help, especially when a drill or even a screwdriver can be hard to
find. The minus is price at $395 for the jerrycan size which is the discounted price for NGOs in Haiti, yet this is very reasonable re cost per gallon of purified water processed for sure. Everyone likes the jerrycan system and it is easy to take it in the back of a truck or SUV for safe drinking water on the spot. And the sports bottle size is incredible.
Precludes cholera which is key and makes just about any water potable, easy, long lasting filter, extremely portable.
The other source is Just Water, which offers a system based upon two five gallon buckets, hand pump to pressurize, a ceramic filter with sock with silver alkaloid impregnated and spigot. We purchased these in parts ... one bucket of the two which requires special airtight seal (second bucket purchased in Haiti at the market), spigot, filter, pump, etc. While this sytem takes some set up time, now that we know how, it is very simple. Buying them in bulk, the cost is extremely reasonable. We can buy approximately 8 systems for the price of the one jerrycan which is amazing yet it does take careful assembly and more of a learning curve to use. Filter needs replacing once a year when it comes to bacteria, 6-8 months if taste becomes and issue.
Our goal has been to raise funds to purchase a Just Water system for each and every family/household associated with ACFFC. Many of our families have
seen and tried them out and, like them/will use. We have started a program
called SWAF, Safe Water Assistance Fund, and our children are making mosaiced bottles to support this. We have been fortunate and one donor stepped up to help us purchase close to 100 systems which are en route. However, we now wish to continue beyond our initial goal and provide systems to neighbors and friends of ACFFC, the churches, etc.
If anyone would like additional information, please contact me.
Judy Hoffman
Art Creation Foundation For Children
www.acffc.org
561-247-3870
www.artforhaitianchildren.org
www.acffc.org
World Orphans team distributes filter systems in Haiti to combat cholera
Posted: Apr. 18th 2011
Young Dugali stands in the foreground as the local Pastor, World Orphans staff and members of the church team talk with him about how the water filter will help his family get safe and affordable water. (Torrey far right)
Seacoast, New Hampshire resident Adam Torrey recently traveled to Haiti on a vision trip to explore a church to church partnership model developed by World Orphans to care for orphans and vulnerable children. Adam was part of a team that included his wife and five others from Durham Evangelical Church. The bucket filtration kits were dontated to World Orphans to distribute in response to the cholera outbreak.
During the trip, the team spent two days assembling and distributing the kits to churches and families that were part of World Orphans program. These families will now have safe and affordable water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.
Torrey works for the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau and shortly after his return to the states gave a presentation at the New England Water Works Regional Conference about the using the filters to combat cholera in Haiti. According to reports by the CDC, the cholera outbreak has now taken more than 4000 lives and caused over 200,000 illnesses. He explained how the ceramic filters have a small pore-size that keep any harmful cholera bacteria out of the drinking water. Since there are on-going water challenges for the many displaced persons, having the bucket kits helps provide safe, affordable water for families, and extends to neighbors and the community at large.
Epic International to distribute water filters in Japan
Posted: Apr. 13th 2011
On March 11th a devastating 9.0-magnitude earthquake occurred in Japan. Just minutes following the earthquake a tsunami smashed into the northeastern coast of Japan, clearing entire cities. Japan’s Prime Minister, Naoto Kan, called the situation “very grave” as the crisis worsened with the news that a series of nuclear power plants had been compromised during the earthquake and tsunami. According to Japan’s police agency, as of April 5, 2011 the current death toll was 12,321, with 15,347 people still missing.
The weeks that followed the earthquake and tsunami brought with them freezing temperatures, over-crowded shelters, little food and even less clean water. In addition, the stagnant water left from the tsunami has become a springboard for water-borne diseases. These dire conditions caught the attention of a new watch company based out of California, Epic International.
Epic International is a company with philanthropy at its core in that for each Epic timepiece that is sold, Epic will provide clean drinking water for an individual in a developing country or a country in crisis for one year through the distribution of water filters. In response to the crisis in Japan, Epic International has released a new timepiece “The Japan Edition.”
“Together we can impact the lives of people who suffer needlessly from easily preventable diseases that spread due to a lack of clean water,” says co-founder, Jackie Bird.
To date, the situation at the Fukushima nuclear facility has yet to be contained. The threat of radiation contamination continues to be on the forefront of the minds of the Japanese people. In addition to filtering 100% of Cholera, E-coli, Diphtheria, Giardia and numerous other water-borne diseases, the filters that Epic International distributes can significantly reduce the level of radioactive material (alpha-beta particles) in the filtered water.
Epic International will be distributing filters in Japan within the next several weeks. It is not too late to reach out to the people of Japan and make a difference. Go to http://www.epictimepieces.com to view their stylish watches (only $39.95) and join the “Epic Movement” today!
Epic International formed to help earthquake victims
Posted: Feb. 3rd 2011
Newport Coast, California couple Jeff and Jackie Bird recently traveled to Haiti to help with relief efforts. They returned home with a passion to empower everyday people like themselves to impact the lives of those in need.
They immediately laid the groundwork for Epic International, a company with philanthropy at its core.
For every Epic watch that their customers purchase, Epic will provide the resources needed - including Just Water filters - to generate clean drinking water for an individual in a developing country for one year.
Read more about their efforts here.
Iraq filter distribution follow-up
Posted: Jan. 23rd 2011
Here is a follow-up to the story we posted a few months ago about water filter distribution in Iraq. We recently received an update from a man who helped with the distribution, and he provided this first-hand account of the benefits:
Here is special story about the filters. One of the families from the village near S--- where I gave filters to last month called me to tell me thanks so much for you and these great product!
It seems that one family was very sick with diarreha and vomitting a lot and they thought the mother was dying, so they took her to the hospital. They did all sorts of test and finally the Doctor said their water was bad. I guess awhile ago they had had a broken pipe and some of the sewer water got into the the other line.
Any way, the village people I know gave the family one of your filters and after just a few days--everyone in the house was feeling great including the woman that was thought to be dying. Everyone is very happy now and using their filters.
Thanks so much!
Flood victims in Pakistan receive water filters
Posted: Jan. 10th 2011
Ron,
Thought you might look at the attached photo with pride as you see through the clear top bucket your water filter in use at a children’s Temporary Learning Center in Pakistan!
Water Ministry team returns from Zimbabwe, Africa
Posted: June 10th 2010
Cholera is the result of years of things going wrong. For centuries the infrastructure in Zimbabwe was designed for the privileged. During the times of political unrest between whites and blacks the whites were forced out and the blacks took over the land and over-taxed the infrastructure. Constant over usage of all systems caused failure of all - sewage pipes broke, trash not being picked up clogged the drainage canals, and when the rains came there was no place for the water to go. It caused the sewage to flow through the streets and the gardens - the places where children play and people walk and work.
The city of Harare is the nerve center of Zimbabwe. All buses and people go there. So when cholera broke out it did not take long for those affected to give it to those traveling back to the rural communities. Children take water from the sewer canals and from street gutters, so cholera soon found its way all over the country.
The financial system has failed. Their money is not worth anything. They no longer use it - they use either US dollars or South African Ran. Rules and regulations change by the hour. Supplies cost almost ten times their value. Everything is in short supply or non-existent.
On the other hand the church is alive and well in Zimbabwe. We found the spirit of the people in the churches uplifting and focused on Him. The churches care and want to help their countrymen – lack of money is the main problem. When a barrel costs $200, a pair of buckets $30, and a spigot $25, it is out of their reach.
There are 56 churches that are members of the Zimbabwe Baptist Union. To install 2 barrel systems in each of the Baptist churches, check on them, and report the results of their success it will take another $8000.
Dr. Raymond Motsi, senior pastor at the First Baptist Church in Bulawayo, believes that helping their mission churches is their primary purpose. They have already been working with the South African Union on food, medical and water projects.
The water purification efforts to-date have been a challenge. Technical help and parts have left them without a working unit. By giving John Benn’s representative the training, tools and equipment to go to all 56 churches, the water units would make a big difference in the cholera problem.
Waves for Water takes filters to Haitian earthquake victims
Posted: April 29th 2010
From: Jack Rose <jack@raincatcher.org>
To: Ron Mathis <justwater4u@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wed, April 28, 2010 9:07:10 PM
Subject: Water filter images #1
Hi Ron - first of three emails of images from our work in Haiti, none of which would have occurred without you.
Some more Haiti pics from a couple of Jon's demonstrations and of the locals using the systems in phase 1 (Haiti photos from Sean Penn's group). Thanks so much for making this a successful mission.
All of us would like to extend a special acknowledgement to Dennis Haysbert, Diana Jenkins and Sean Penn for their extensive donations of time, talent & funds. Together we will continue to bring our clean drinking water systems to the survivors in Haiti.
Jack
Baylor University - The Lariat
Posted: January 29th 2010
Relief: It's more than just water
Jed Dean | Photo Editor
Jim Newman shows the before and after products of a new water filtration system, "Just Water," Thursday, in the Cashion Academic Center.
By Bethany Moore
Staff writer
Most Baylor students shudder at the thought of drinking the murky river water of the Brazos. However, for Dr. Stephen Bradley's social entrepreneurship and economic development class, drinking the river water became a way to bring clean water to those in need.
This demonstration was part of a presentation from the Texas Baptist Men's Water Ministry, called Just Water, to test the effects of a new powerful purification system.
Ron Mathis, the chairman of Just Water, brought in a bucket full of water from the Brazos, dropped in dog feces he collected from campus, and allowed the mixture to flow through the system as he explained Just Water's mission to Bradley's class on Thursday.
"In the short period of time I'm going to be speaking to you right now, more than 1,000 babies will die due to bad water," Mathis said. "That's what I'm passionate about." This purification system is different from others, Mathis explained, because it is simple, effective and most importantly, cheap.
"If I were to go and put a great system in with all the odd bells and whistles, the first time it hiccups they would turn it off and never use it again," Mathis said. "So when we come up with a humanitarian product it has to be simple. So simple an Aggie could do it."
Seven years ago Mathis was working as a designer of hydrate water systems for pharmaceutical companies, hospitals and laboratories, when he had a calling from God to use his knowledge for humanitarian efforts."God said, no more of the real world, it's time to go into the humanitarian world," Mathis said.
Since then, Mathis has been working with Just Water to develop more products for water sustainability.
After marketing this purification system to more than 57 underdeveloped countries, Mathis has many countries that are currently using the product and many governments interested in the filter. However, the problem is affordability. The filters are only $10; yet, those within more impoverished villages still cannot afford them. Many churches and individual donations have sustained the filters thus far, but Mathis wants to find a way to help these villages sustain themselves.
After hearing about Just Water, Bradley decided to challenge his students to come up with an economic plan for the villagers to purchase the filters and invited Mathis to present the product. This semester's class is the first to be involved with the project. "This is a great opportunity for the students to see a company that is already having a huge impact but is still on the ground level," Bradley said. "For our students to come in and help with marketing and production is a good learning opportunity."
At the end of the presentation, the students tried the newly purified Brazos water and were pleased with the product. One student said it tasted better than the fountain water.
San Antonio junior Casey Rinehart is excited about the challenge and chance to help market the product. "I think the presentation went really well," Rinehart said. "It has a lot of potential all over the world, with lots of diverse markets from the poor and underdeveloped to mainstream America."
Just Water is also doing its part to aid the relief efforts in Haiti by sending 10,000 of the filters. Mathis said the filters have even caught the attention of actor Sean Penn, who called him last week so he could take some of the filters to Haiti when he went.
The system operates by putting two buckets on top of one another, drilling a hole and placing the filter in between them. The buyer needs to then simply pour the unpurified water in the top and allow it to filter through.
The water filter comes in many different designs. One of the filters features an on-the-go hydrating system similar to a Camelbak, which allows a hiker to drink water from any river or stream by putting it through the small filter. Another design is installed under a sink and delivers clean water straight through the faucet.