ACT4 World Water Day - The Hunger Project and my own efforts

I've been following the growth and impact of The Hunger Project for over 33 years. What started out as one woman's stand to end global hunger through empowerment of local peoples has also made a big impact on the availability of water for consumption and sanitation. As always, the heart of this humanitarian work is to foster possibility and solutions through community agreement and participation.

If I were their Evoke agent, I would simply recommend that they become more visible in their incredible work. That is why I chose this organization to follow. . . in the hopes that my fellow Evoke Agents and the powers that be might recognize and support this work.

From the site:

"When women and girls have access to a close, safe water supply and the time to be educated and care for their families, futures brighten. Families are healthier, more children go to school, agricultural productivity improves and incomes increase.

And, investing in safe water has high returns: for every US$1 invested, there is a projected US$3-34 gained - with benefits ranging from time savings and productivity gains to budget savings on national healthcare (UN Water 2010)."

THP works with communities to develop new water resources, ensure clean water and improved sanitation, and implement water conservation techniques. Actions include:

Developing New Sustainable Water Sources

• Drilling new wells and boreh***s and repairing existing ones
• Building and repairing water towers
• Constructing water troughs for livestock

Ensuring the Reliable Supply of Clean Water

• Providing equipment and training for testing and pumping water
• Building and repairing latrines in homes, schools and public spaces
• Lobbying local governments to devote public resources to water infrastructure projects

Implementing Water Conservation Techniques

• Initiating drip irrigation projects, which minimize the use of water and fertilizer by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants
• Developing water catchment systems, which collect rainwater from a roof or other surface before it reaches the ground and store it for future use

Empowering Communities

• Establishing water project boards made up of community leaders who are trained by experts on how to monitor, maintain and repair water systems
• Training people in the use and repair of water pumps and generators
• Training a core of local leaders in water safety and purification so they can lead workshops throughout the community and expand grassroots knowledge

http://www.thp.org/learn_more/news/latest_news/world_water_day_2010

My plan, locally, has been to initiate a water harvesting system including a rain barrel and drip irrigation. I also plan to build grow boxes to conserve water. I am also involved in a community garden project (please see my previous blogs) and we are exploring alternate water sources for that project as well. In this photo you can see my rain barrel in the left corner. We ran a downspout to the barrel. The block and recycled metal screen framing will support the grow boxes.