October 16, 2012 - In partnership with Global Charity Foundation of Las Vegas, Nevada, WATER has worked to place and keep children in school outside of Accra, Ghana for the past 4 years.   Many of the children were originally found in a rock quarry outside of Accra and placed in 5 different schools near their homes in coordination with the parents, schools and Childcare Foundation (who helped find the children).  Global Charity Foundation has provided the funding and WATER did the monitoring on the ground in Ghana.  Most of the 17 children remain in classes today and we look forward to a successful 2012/2013 school year and thank Global Charity Foundation for its years of partnership and for caring about the children.  

October 16, 2012 - Buruli Ulcer (BU) is one of 17 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). It is a flesh eating bacteria, which is prominent in West Africa. 9 of the top 10 countries in terms of cases are in Africa but the 10th is Australia. The number of cases in Australia increased from 42 to 143 between 2010 and 2011. There were 3,849 cases reported in the world in 2011, of which 971 were in Ghana. It is arguably the most neglected of the NTDs. The reason for this is that it has very little outside funding because it is largely a regional problem, but more importantly because the mode of transmission is unknown. No one knows how you get it. Suspected vectors are an insect breeding in slow moving water or damp soil, or a person entering a moist area with an open sore where the bacteria is present. In late 2012 a drug study will begin in Ghana and Benin in hopes of finding an oral antibiotic which is effective in fighting the disease. The goal is to test Clarithromycin (which can be taken orally) to replace Streptomycin (which must be injected) and be administered for 52 consecutive days when a case is found to help stop the spread of the disease. These antibiotics are taken in conjunction with Rifampin (oral).  The advantages of having both oral antibiotics is obvious, especially in rural areas. Cases will be sought out and given a new antibiotic mixture provided the wound is 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) in diameter or less. Larger wounds are not eligible because measuring the wound size can be difficult and thus measuring the effectiveness of the drugs can also be difficult. 332 eligible cases are needed over a 3 year period. Based on previous reporting figures, we expect about 1/3 of the cases found will have wounds larger than 10 centimeters and therefore are not eligible for the study. Nearly all of these cases will require surgery or skin grafts, something they cannot afford. This campaign is about solving that problem by raising the money so these patients can be treated. Each surgery costs about $1,500. Because we expect to find 150 to 200 people who will require surgery over the 3 year study period, the needs are substantial. Therefore we also need your assistance to spread the word among your friends. The money will be sent to Africa via a US based not-for-profit (501C-3) organization named Water in Africa Through Everyday Responsiveness or WATER. Your contribution is 100% tax deductible. WATER has been engaged by the Ghana Health Service to help raise money for Buruli Ulcer and will also monitor the project via resources on the ground in Ghana. If you would like to know more about Buruli Ulcer you can go to the video link http://www.rockhopper.tv/programmes/653/#. This video aired earlier this year on the BBC. The 4 minute video will introduce you to the disease and to me, Jim Niquette. You can also contact me at JNiquette@aol.com. Thank you.

April 9, 2011 – WATER today announced the addition of Dr. Andrew Seidu Korkor and Lamisi Mbillah to its Board of Directors.  Dr. Korkor, a medical doctor, is the National Program Manager for Guinea Worm eradication in Ghana and has been working with WATER in Ghana for the past several years.  He brings his considerable skillset with eradication and control of neglected tropical diseases to the WATER board.  Ghana plans to announce the break in transmission of guinea worm in July, 2011.  A feat accomplished under the leadership of Dr. Korkor.  His addition is consistent with WATER’s desire to couple the provision of water and sanitation with disease control.   Lamisi Mbillah became the first African woman to ever be named as Miss World Beauty With a Purpose, at the 2006 Miss World pageant in Poland.  She was Miss Ghana in 2005.  She won the award and was named a semifinalist in the pageant as a result of her work with the Ghana Health Service, Carter Center and UNICEF of the eradication of guinea worm and promotion of the distribution of iodized salt during her reign as Miss Ghana.  The award is given to the contestant who contributes the most to humanity and society during her reign. 

April 4, 2011 – The Ghana Health Service (GHS) of the Ministry of Health issued a letter to Water In Africa Through Everyday Responsiveness (WATER) authorizing it to attempt to raise $4.8 million US dollars to fight Buruli Ulcer in Ghana.  Buruli Ulcer is arguably the most neglected of the neglected tropical diseases (NTD’s).  It is a flesh eating bacteria related to tuberculosis and leprosy.  There were over 1,000 cases in Ghana in 2010.  It was the second most endemic country in the world behind Cote d’Ivoire with Benin third.  The disease is spreading in sub-Saharan Africa especially in the Gulf of Guinea.  The cause of transmission is not known.

In the letter, GHS requests that WATER, in conjunction with Lamisi Mbillah and Rocky Dawuni to seek funding on a larger scale, than previously attempted, to combat the disease.  Rocky Dawuni is Ghana’s most recognized international musician and Lamisi Mbillah was the first African woman to ever win the Miss World Beauty With a Purpose title in 2006 at the Miss World pageant.  Both were instrumental in the fight to eradicate guinea worm in Ghana and will now take their considerable capabilities to this new cause with WATER.

January 18, 2011 – Water In Africa Through Everyday Responsiveness (WATER) has today announced a relationship with Pure Home Water (PHW) to help expand PHW’s operations in Ghana.  WATER will provide management and accounting services to PHW in Ghana for a 12 month period in hopes of adding to PHW’s presence, as well as advance to development of its ceramic household water filter production in northern Ghana.  PHW is in the process of building a production facility in Tamale for low cost ceramic filters as a low cost solution for household water filtration.  This technology is especially relevant in communities without boreholes or other alternatives for obtaining potable water.  PHW is collaborating with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in its efforts.  Under the agreement WATER will attempt to bring the facility to regular production levels as well as to help build a distribution channel.

Download the latest  parish donations list.

November 8, 2010 Update

Life Teen 's Give It Away Now campaign "Thirst for Change" continues to blast the $50,000 goal "INTO THE W.A.T.E.R!" 204 parishes have now reported to W.A.T.E.R. and Life Teen a new total of $178,000. Of that amount, $134,000 is already in our W.A.T.E.R. bank account ready to go to work. We are counting on the rest of those pledges arriving soon so Catholic Relief Services can start the village application process for our 2011 drilling. Thousands of thirsty people in Ghana will drink clean water because of you. Many parishes are still raising funds or yet to report. Stay tuned to this site for regular updates on what has turned into an outstanding effort thanks to thousands of incredible Catholic youth. 

Read more...

Celebration 1, hosted by the Klines, Drinkwines, Ashley Zerangue, and Chris Freni

The first of our 2010 Wine into W.A.T.E.R. parties has been a great success.  Deep gratitude to all who attended at the Kline's house in Kirkland.  We brought in $4427 not counting matching donations! For more information, see the donors section.

Almost all our brand new logo design shirts were already sold!  It is never to late to donate!

Wonderful Ghanaian food was served...

...along with excellent African wine.

Courtney Plummer and Jan Kline presenting on our mission and impacts.

Thanks to everyone who came for making our first party such a success!

Thomas Awiapo takes Chris Dube's motorcycle for a joyride.

Watch the 2010 Trip Video

W.A.T.E.R. Trip 2010 from Christopher Dube on Vimeo.

View PowerPoint presented at the party - View Online | Download

W.A.T.E.R. Supporters,

These past few weeks I’ve been busy out in the villages where boreholes have been drilled and where CRS/Ghana implements its various community programs. I had the chance to visit 6 communities (Kpemale, Gbangu, Dindani, Nanyier, Kolinvae, and Wawa) where WATER drilled from 2007 to 2009. I’m happy to report that all boreholes are pumping water and that the local Water and Sanitation Committees are working to support the water sources. And I wanted to share one quote from Kpemale’s committee chairman Duut, where WATER and CRS drilled a borehole near the primary school in 2007.

He said, “We needed water and couldn’t get it, so when someone offers you it’s your job to ensure that it’s well managed. And that’s a job we can play.”

I think that epitomizes what W.A.T.E.R. is all about, connecting everyday people with everyday people. Donors in the U.S. find themselves wanting to do what they can to support safe drinking water for their brothers and sisters, however far away they might be. Community members then volunteer their time as committee members to make sure that the water their village was given continues to keep them all healthy.

It’s certainly not easy. There are many challenges facing the communities I’ve visited: water, health, hunger, and education, among others. But instead of getting discouraged or overwhelmed by the task at hand to work alongside my brothers and sisters for a better future, I choose faith. I’m choosing to take one small step at a time, recognizing that we cannot do great things, but only small things with great love. I can see that everyday, people choosing compassion. We will find ourselves in a more just and humane world as people continue to act out that compassion in solidarity with others. I choose to have faith that everyone can do something and that we will.

I want to thank you for following me this summer as I spent time in northern Ghana where W.A.T.E.R. has sponsored borehole projects. I’ve enjoyed sharing my experiences with you all. All good things come to an end, and so does my time in Ghana. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to really get to know the work that W.A.T.E.R. and its partner Catholic Relief Services/Ghana is doing with rural communities in Ghana. I look forward to sharing more with you in person during our “Wine into Water” events soon.

Thank you to all of you who made my visit unforgettable!

Courtney

plummerc@uw.edu

The Ghana Health Service, the Rotary Club of Sunyani, the George Fisher Jubilee Foundation and W.A.T.E.R. announced a joint effort to attack Buruli Ulcer at a Press Conference in Sunyani, Brong Ahafo Region, Ghana.  Present at the press conference were Dr. Edwin Ampadu, Ghana Health Service National Program Manager for Buruli Ulcer, Water Hughes, representing the George Fisher Jubilee Foundation and Rotary International, Samuel Obuor, President of the Sunyani Rotary Club and Jim Niquette, representing W.A.T.E.R.  The combined group intends to attack Buruli Ulcer with the same combination of surveillance, case treatment and provision of water and sanitation as has been so successful with guinea worm eradication in Ghana.  At the press conference the partners announced a $100,000 grant from the Rotary and a $70,000 grant from the Jubilee foundation.  Others partners are being sought for both the provision of boreholes, surveillance activities and the treatment of cases.

Learn more about Buruli Ulcer: WHO, Wikipedia.

W.A.T.E.R., Shara Oil and Ghana Health Service will undertake 175 cataract surgeries in Northern Ghana during the second half of 2010.  The first 75 are planned for Upper West Region in conjunction with World Sight Day from October 11 - 14.  The surgeries will be done in conjunction with the Eye Care Unit of Ghana Health Service headed by Dr. Oscar Debrah and a surgical team led by Dr. Seth Wanye from the Tamale Teaching Hospital.  W.A.T.E.R. is pleased to be associated with this undertaking and encourages others who might be interested, to consider matching this effort as the backlog of cataract patients requiring surgery in Ghana is substantial.  Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in Africa.

Learn more about cataracts.