Water and Education – Building a “Foundation of Hope” in 2008

Building a “Foundation of Hope” is the theme of an 18-day trip that a group of volunteers are taking this fall to Ghana, West Africa. All participants are funding the trip by themselves, so that all money raised will go to our charity projects. Working with the 501(c)3 non-profit W.A.T.E.R., "Foundation of Hope” is focusing on two causes:

  1. Increasing access to uncontaminated water
  2. Increasing school attendance of children

So far this year, we have raised about $21,000 toward both causes! (Specific funds allocation will be determined after consulting with W.A.T.E.R.)

Water and Guinea Worm

Currently women and children walk for up to 4 hours a day to get a bucket of water from the only source available. Often this source is contaminated and the children miss school due to getting water for the family. We are raising funds to get water boreholes installed near the schools so that the kids can get an education and bring the water home to the family.

The lack of clean water has been responsible for many health problems including Guinea Worm, which still affects sub-Saharan Africa even after being eliminated everywhere else. Guinea Worm is spread when someone drinks water contaminated with worm larvae. About a year later, a worm up to 3 feet long emerges from the body, causing immense pain as it exits over several days. For relief, persons often immerse the affected limb into water, causing millions of worm larvae to be released and re-contaminate the water.

The boreholes put in by W.A.T.E.R. in recent years have already shown many positive effects. The one installed in Savelugu, Ghana in 2006 has reduced Guinea worm cases by 96% (Jan 07 – 666 cases; Jan 08 – 26 cases)!!

Jim Niquette, the founder of W.A.T.E.R., has worked with the Carter Center since 2002 on the Guinea Worm Eradication program. President Carter is still an active advocate for the Guinea Worm issue, and has personally expressed appreciation for our fundraising efforts!

Read President Carter's recent article in "Time" magazine

Education and CCF

W.A.T.E.R. has also been supporting Child Care Foundation (CCF), a local charity in Ghana that provides free education to disadvantaged children. For more details, read Lila's Story.

What will the group do while in Ghana?

While in Ghana, we will