This past Saturday, twenty Wells Bring Hope supporters clipped in for a 45 minutes sweat session at the SoulCycle studio in Brentwood. Organized by WBH Advisory Board member Rose Schneider, the event was a first for Wells Bring Hope, and it proved an exciting and fun way to raise money to save lives with safe water! Between the riders and those who supported the fundraiser from afar, we raised over $3,000, and more continues to come in.
Everyone who participated left drenched in sweat and energized by the class, which was led by Michael, one of SoulCycle’s enthusiastic instructors. It was a great opportunity for WBH supporters to get together for a fun activity while raising money for the cause. Andi Claman, head of the WBH Club at Chadwick School is already looking into organizing a similar fundraising ride at the SoulCycle near her school!
The implications of the violence wrought by extremist group Boko Haram to the nations surrounding Nigeria, including Chad and Niger, reach far beyond civilian casualties and displacement. It is no secret that rape is an unfortunately common weapon of war, and Niger is no exception. Sexual violence against women is part of Boko Haram’s plundering strategy, and it can provoke psychological and social trauma; women that have been raped are frequently ostracized by their families and neighbors despite it having been against their will. Niger is also unique in that it is the country with the highest fertility and infant mortality rate in the world (with about 7 births per woman and 101 deaths per 1000 births), so the consequences that this reality has on the population are only exacerbated by the violence being experienced there today. It also means that more and more women, young and old, are pregnant and being forced to give birth in the bush or on the streets while they are fleeing from the conflict. Needless to say, these are less than sanitary and clinically sterile conditions for both the mother and her offspring, and the health of both is jeopardized tremendously.
Currently, hygiene kits are being dispersed by many aid organizations to the people that are most at risk, which are typically women and their children. It is a short-term solution, though, and is not enough. It is also difficult to reach all of the people that are currently being displaced, as many of them are hiding in the bush. What could, in fact, be more helpful to these individuals is to build wells in as many communities as is possible so that those fleeing can have access to potable water in the next community or village. Wells Bring Hope is a great way for anyone to contribute to the mitigation and the eventual solution to these crises and the consequences they bring. We partner with communities to build wells and work with women to empower them in a society where there are seemingly insurmountable obstacles between them and their self-sufficiency. Any help can be a critical start for the success of someone in Niger, especially to those women that are braving the perils of giving birth outside of a clinic or hospital. Water is where the solution begins.
On Sunday, we were granted a brief respite from the recent heat wave for our annual Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue. Once again, WBH Founder and President Barbara Goldberg opened up her home and beautiful backyard for the afternoon festivities.
Volunteers chatted and nibbled for a while before sitting down to hear from both Barbara and the man who inspired our cause, Gil Garcetti.
It was a wonderful afternoon of celebration as we recognized the incredible volunteers who are such an integral part of our effort to save lives with safe water.
Thousands of Niger’s people recently banded together to unite under one common cause-the protest against Boko Haram. The Islamic extremist group, ranked as the world’s deadliest terror group by the Global Terrorism Index in 2015, has continued to launch deadly raids into the country from Nigeria. People from various parts of the country gathered in the capital to support the nation’s army which is combatting the explosive issue. Those marching were not only voicing support, however; they were also voicing a plea. The nation wishes to urge other countries to step in and join the battle, one of security and displacement.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs ranks physiological needs as number one and safety as number two, but for the people of Niger, the two aspects go hand in hand. When women and children, whose main job is to collect fresh water, are being targeted and living in constant fear-their work is hindered. A roadblock for them isn’t just the difference between a little money or wealth, it’s the difference between health or disease contamination, the difference between a meal or starvation.
Back in 2014, the hashtag #BringBackOurGirls took the internet by storm when Boko Haram kidnapped nearly 300 girls from a northeastern Nigeria boarding school. Unfortunately it took such a large scale act for the rest of the world to turn their heads. But did more heads turn to look than fingers lift to act, specifically of nations abroad? The army of Nigeria and its neighbors, such as Niger, took to action, sadly unsuccessful in finding the school girls, but freeing hundreds of captives along the way. The nation’s army is working vigorously and should be commended for such accomplishments with limited means, but the problem is only hitting new heights in 2016. For example, WorldPost states that over 100 women and girls have blown themselves up since 2014, forced or coerced into serving as suicide bombers. The recent protesters in Niger aimed to bring light to the reality of the situation-these soldiers need reinforcement.
It’s evident that this group, and others alike, have a skewed view of women in society. It is not by standing by and remaining silent that change will be enacted, that justice for these women will be sought-it is through action and unification. By contributing to Wells Bring Hope you contribute to empowering these targeted women through education, sanitation, and entrepreneurship. The march in Niger’s capital is a step, but this fight undoubtedly requires a marathon. Let’s get running.
The issue of water has recently become a concern in one of Africa’s wealthiest and most developed nations, South Africa. More and more people from rural villages around the country are moving to the city with the hopes of having a better living situation, so pressure to provide sustainable, clean water for healthy living has increased.
South Africa is home to around 49 million people and is about twice the size of Texas. For many years the country has faced epidemics such as HIV and AIDS. To add to this, water shortage has also recently become an issue.
One of the main reasons this water crisis has spread to South Africa is climate change. According to the thewaterproject.org, rain has not replenished the nation’s water supply as frequently as it used to. One is example is in Durban, which has experienced 20% less rain this year than in the beginning of 2010. As a result, the surrounding cities have begun imposing water restrictions on communities. Another problem on the rise is stolen water; 35% of the cities’ water is provided via illegal connections.
Because of the increasing demand for safe water and the current shortage, many are turning to bottled water as an alternative to tap water. Just the fact that “tap water” is an option in South Africa demonstrates the stark difference between a water shortage in a developed nation and a water crisis in a country like Niger. Indoor plumbing is nonexistant in rural Niger, and the only potential water source is often an open well, which can dry up and is easily contaminated. The people of rural Niger are not facing a choice between tap and bottled water; they are choosing between dehydration and the diseases that can result from consuming contaminated water.
The Lake Chad Basin Commission was established in the 1960’s by four member states—Chad, Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon–for the purpose of maintaining the ecosystem and managing the resources of the area, specifically the precious resource of water. The land in the vicinity of the lake was green and fertile, and for years, fishermen made a living off of the diverse catch they could reliably obtain from the depths.
Global warming and insecurity rooted in violence have changed this narrative, however. Droughts have become more severe, extensive, and frequent, to the point where the basin has begun to dry up at a crippling rate. The plummeting water levels have had drastic effects on the surrounding communities, with many fishermen beginning to resort to a livelihood that Niger’s poor soil is not fit for—agriculture. However, even agriculture relies largely on water, and Niger has seen scant harvests in recent years. Furthermore, the ongoing barrage of attacks from militant insurgent group Boko Haram have forced many to flee their homes, causing the largest case of displacement currently seen in the African continent. The refugees arrive without water, food, or medicine, and it is not only costly to distribute the necessary aid to them. This influx of people has also begun to put a new strain on the lake and its decreasing water levels.
Nevertheless, the Lake Chad Water Charter signed by the Lake Chad Basin Commission is a step in the right direction. With wisdom of foresight, the member states declared that equitable management of water and food resources would be a top prority because security is impossible if these basic needs are not met.
Hopefully, with international support for those suffering at the hands of armed conflict and a hotter and drier climate, these consequences can be mitigated. The drilling of more wells will also be essential for alleviating the strain on the lake. Contribute to Wells Bring Hope to see more long-lasting and immediate change happen in this region.
The issue of contaminated drinking water isn’t some far off problem, only applicable to third world countries. It’s right here at home in the United States. The residents of Cambria County, Pennsylvania have joined the people of Flint, Michigan and other communities around the country who that the threat of contaminated water is a real problem for some in this country. Last week, a letter was sent out by the Patton Borough Water Department informing customers of a contaminant (trihalomethane) in their water supply. Customers expressed a mix of confusion, concern, and anger because the occurrence wasn’t a one time thing; it has been prevalent for seven years.
Trihalomethane (THM) is defined as “a chemical compound in which three of the four atoms of methane are replaced by halogen atoms”. THM isn’t rare, in fact, small traces are found in almost all drinking water because it’s simply a by-product of disinfection using chlorine. The chemicals result from chlorine’s reaction with organic matter in the water. Due to questionable health concerns associated with high THM levels, such as increased cancer risks and adverse reproductive outcomes, many governments wisely limit the amount permissible in drinking water. The Patton borough’s mayor stated that while officials notified customers yearly and published quarterly findings in public places, they failed to notify customers directly each quarter due to a lack of knowledge about federal regulations. Once that information was made clear, the letter was sent out.
The spokesperson for Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection attempted to calm nerves by insisting the levels present weren’t high enough to cause harm to consumers. His words didn’t seize concern completely, with worries of unknown long-term effects still lingering in the minds of many. How can he be certain of when high is “too-high”? The EPA’s limit is 80 parts per billion for total concentration of four main trihalomethanes (chloroform, bromoform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane). Flint, Michigan was in the national spotlight for their sanitation scandal, with a highest TTHM reading of 99 parts per billion. Though it may seem like a slim difference, a little flaw can ignite mass fear-fear driven by the unknown. It wasn’t until the 1970’s that TTHMs were even identified, a subsection of the Disinfection Byproducts chemical family. Unfortunately, hundreds of other groups within this family go unmonitored. Citizens place faith in their city to provide pure, safe water from the tap and when that trust is violated, it takes work to restore.
For those in Niger, Africa, the opportunity to raise questions and demand better practices is a privilege not available in rural communities. The nation’s financial status and unstable government doesn’t leave much room for efficient programs such as the U.S.’s EPA.
Clean water is a treasure. A well that provides easy access to this most basic need seems like, its simple disinfection a miracle in itself for the women and children who trek all day for its retrieval. It is through the work of Wells Bring Hope and other foundations that proper sanitation practices can not only be established, but improved upon, allowing the people of Niger to thrive.
Wells Bring Hope works only in Niger, the world’s poorest nation. In contrast to the extreme poverty in Niger, its neighbor to the south, Nigeria, is one of the richest countries in Africa. Nigeria owes its wealth to the fact that it is an oil-rich country, and a sizeable portion of the Nigerian population works within or near the lucrative oil drilling business that operates along the Niger Delta. Enormous, transnational corporations such as Exxon Mobil and Shell have faced widespread opposition from various players internationally given their reprehensible reputation for polluting the waters of the expansive river, which is a drinking and bathing source for many impoverished families in several countries, including Niger. Some of the results of this contamination have been a concerning rise in birth defects within areas in the river’s vicinity, as well as the inability to farm and fish near the water. Moreover, the community around the delta reaps none of the profits that hugely profitable corporations such as Exxon Mobil makes; electricity, for example, is still essentially non-existent despite the fact that Exxon Mobil was the second most profitable corporation of 2014.
In response to these facts, an activist group has recently been making itself known. The Niger Delta Avengers, which purportedly consists mostly of young and educated Nigerian citizens, has actively been attempting to shut down drilling operations by causing explosions at the refineries, as well as crude and gas lines. Their intentions, according to statements released by the group itself, are not to hurt innocent civilians but to take matters of environmental justice into their own hands when these corporations will not pay them any attention.
The Niger Delta is an oil-rich region in the southwestern part of Nigeria that has long been a source of dispute between the people that live in the area and those looking to profit off its natural resources. On their website, the Niger Delta Avengers have vowed to destroy both Chevron and Shell’s most important refineries in the Delta region for the sake of justice for their communities. Even if it means dealing a devastating blow to the Nigerian economy in the process—this is a prime example of the desperation and of the gravity brought about by the oppression of the concerns of locals. Despite the fact that this issue certainly affects Nigeria directly and severely, the repercussions are felt in neighboring countries that have rivers that connect and flow into the Delta, such as Niger and Cameroon. Currently, all three countries are suffering from political corruption, Boko Haram attacks, and a drought exacerbated by the effects of El Niño, but the violence and the adverse health effects caused by the polluted water is, in any case a sure sign of the importance of a reliable source of water.
By providing access to clean water to the communities of Niger, Wells Bring Hope can mitigate the problems faced by contaminated river water sources by accessing groundwater. It is difficult to solve political and economic conflicts like the one currently plaguing the Nigerian Delta region, but wells can go into effect much more rapidly and bring lasting and sustainable change to impoverished and innocent civilians locally.
The United Nations has sounded an alarm over the situation and says that malnutrition among children in the country has reached the emergency threshold: 15% suffering from acute malnutrition.
The UN agency revealed that between January and April, there were more than 176,000 children suffering from severe malnutrition but only 65,000 had been treated in nutritional health facilities. The agency estimates that there are about 1.1 million children suffering from malnutrition who can be treated in the nutritional health facilities.
The rate of malnutrition in the West African country has continued to deteriorate over the last 3 years, a trend that the country’s Ministry of Health attributes to lack of clean drinking water and poor hygiene.
The most affected regions are Zinder, Diffa, Maradi and Dosso. This comes at a time when the UN is facing low mobilization of funds to finance all its humanitarian programs in Niger, receiving only about $79 million out of the $316 million it requires.
When a well is drilled in a village, a plentiful supply of clean water enable people to grow crops and so their children don’t die from malnutrition. It’s just one more reason to support our work!
Every morning, I wake up and pour myself a glass of water. It’s what makes me feel refreshed before I start my day.
One morning, I pushed the button on my water cooler to fill my cup, and nothing came out. I was so used to having my morning cup of water that I almost panicked. I was overcome with a sense of urgency. Fortunately, we had a new, full barrel of water to replace the empty one, and I didn’t have to wait long for that glass of water. This event made me think about the big water issues around the world today.
In recent years, the issue of water scarcity has been a growing concern in many parts of the globe, particularly in poverty-stricken areas. Global warming and unpredictable weather changes have lead to a dramatic decrease in the fresh, clean water available for everyday use.
Rising temperatures in many parts of the world has caused severe dry weather, causing many water resources to dry up. According to the World Wildlife Fund, more than half of the world’s wetlands have been destroyed. Drastic weather changes have caused droughts as well as floods in many regions around the world.
As the world population rises, so does the need for water to sustain lives.
Water use has increased more than twice the rate of population in the last 100 years. According to the UN, by the year 2025, 1.8 billion people will live in regions with severe water scarcity. As a result, many will have no choice but to use unsafe water for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
While some of these environmental changes are inevitable, there is still the possibility for change. When you help to drill a well in Niger, you ensure that the people of that village will have a sustainable source of safe, clean water that will not be impacted by drought or other changes in the weather. As a result, child mortality will decrease by 70%, and the village will be transformed.
