Report from Africa: Part 2

Discarded water bottles! We saw them everywhere. Our group personally emptied nearly a thousand while we were in Tanzania for two weeks. What was happening to all those bottles? Nothing. The resort burned them. Ick! They didn’t even know that the smoke was toxic. We saw them strewn along the roadsides and in gullies everywhere.

I resolved to figure out how these ubiquitous bottles could be turned into building materials. One idea I had was to cut them up on one side, spread them out, and overlap them like roofing tiles. That may still be a good idea, especially for people who are trying to keep the rain out with tattered plastic bags and old rags. In my research to find a simple use for plastic bottles, I discovered that water can be purified in them. The picture above shows an elaborate system for exposing the water to the sun’s UV rays and warmth. In Tanzania, the bottles could simply be laid on a black plastic bag because near the equator, the sun is overhead all year long.

In countries where water-borne diseases are a significant cause of discomfort, disease, and death, a low-tech method of purifying the water would make a huge difference. This sun method doesn’t remove naturally occurring chemicals or industrial pollutants, but it can change the lives of people who have few resources. Currently, the only method millions of people have for killing pathogens in their water is to boil it. That means not only carrying the water, but also carrying the wood (if there is any) and building a fire. I wonder how many people, when faced with such daunting problems just drink the water untreated?

All it takes is a stash of 10 bottles, a black plastic bag, and a sunny day. The process even works on a cloudy day, it just takes longer. I have been captivated with this idea and have set about finding a way to bring this low-tech solution to people who need it desperately. This is one of the projects that followed me home from Africa and I am committed to follow through with it. I’m still working out the how-to aspect, but I thought I’d share my excitement with you and let you know that you can help make a difference with this or any of my other projects.

How You Can Help

You can send a check or use PayPal for a credit card donation. Send a check to Global Partners and mark it for “Jacquie Hale’s Fund.” Such a donation gives me permission to determine how the money is used for Global Partners’ projects and/or new projects, which I’ll be describing in future articles. If you want to use PayPal, go to www.GPFD.org and click Give/Donate. Once the PayPal page appears, you can leave a memo for my fund. Blessings on your generosity!

Global Partners
320 Professional Center Drive, Suite 120
Rohnert Park, CA  94928

I am creating other reports about projects you might want to support. I have qualms about sending this appeal because I don’t want my subscribers to feel I’m exploiting them. I’ve found that many people want to help and simply don’t know how, so here’s your chance!

© 2008, Jacqueline Hale

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