World’s desperate need for clean water inspires Canadian couple
TORONTO, ON - A few years after Barry Hart and his wife Heather Alloway retired from teaching they heard a statistic which Hart says "went straight from our heads into our hearts." Almost one billion people worldwide don't have access to clean water.
The couple decided to fly to Guatemala with Living Water International to help install a well in a small community. A year later, they formed Living Water International Canada, now known as Water Ambassadors Canada.
More than 200 Canadians have gone on Water Ambassador trips since 2003. They have drilled and repaired wells, installed purifier units and distributed water filters in communities in Central America, the Caribbean and Eastern Africa. Teams also teach about hygiene.
"You can give 3,000 people clean water in just a few days," he says. "It's amazing."
"The need is huge," Hart adds. An estimated 30,000 people die each day from drinking bad water.
"Most of the time I tell people you wouldn't wash your car tires in the water they'd otherwise drink. If people can get clean water closer to home it has all sorts of social, health and economic benefits."
Most trips run during the winter and spring, and last about a week. Participants have ranged from teenagers to seniors.
"Everyone can do something," Hart says. "We're looking for regular, every day people who want to do something significant."
They are also looking for people to sponsor teams and projects.
For example, a $70 filter to remove bacteria and other harmful substances can be shared among several families, says Hart. A full water system for a village costs $2,500.
Water Ambassadors is running 14 trips in 2011. They hope to run 20 in 2012.
"The interesting thing is that Canadians go to help give clean water but find out that that they themselves have been 'helped' in the process," he adds. "You will never stand in the shower again with all that clean hot and cold water around you without realizing how blessed we are in this country."
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