ETHIOPIA
In January 2024, 7 enthusiastic volunteers headed to Ethiopia for our first trip of 2024. Included in the team was our very own Amanda Bennett who went to assess the Hope for Girls program and meet our Hope For Life team. This time the team didn't drill any wells, their focus was on School deworming, Health and Hygiene Education and Hope for Girls kit distribution. They successfully gave Health and Hygiene Education and handed out deworming meds to over 2,000 elementary school children in 9 primary schools. and distributed 335 HOPE FOR GIRLS Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) Kits. The team received feedback from a prior recipient of one of our kits, who confirmed that they really do last for about 2 years. She was incredibly happy that her younger sister was now being gifted with one to help her stay in school. An amazing testimony to the quality of work done by our affiliated sewing clubs. THANK YOU.
Whilst in Ethiopia, our International Programs Director visited the Balcha Elementary school in Banyu and started the process of getting regional government approval to build latrines that will serve the 1000+ students.
But have we drilled any wells yet this year in Ethiopia? Of course we have! Thanks to your support and generous financial gifts we have been able to fund our Hope For Life team to drill two wells. Our (lofty) goal in 2024 is to complete 10 more!
All of our work is funded by our Donors and from our Bottled Water Sales. Please consider a Monthly Giving Plan subscription to help us bring Hope to more people around the world!
NICARAGUA
Our first well drilling team of 2024 headed out to Nicaragua on the 15th March with the aim of completing two wells, along with providing Health Education and MHM kits to the surrounding communities. Through the contacts we made during the training program last year, we were able to purchase 16 handpumps, associated pipework and a lot of other items at a VERY low price. That makes it possible for us to do more work in Nicaragua this year with our budgeted funds, with two more drilling trips already planned! We will do more in 24!
All of our work is funded by our Donors and from our Bottled Water Sales. Please consider a Monthly Giving Plan subscription to help us bring Hope to more people around the world!
GUATEMALA
After the disappointment of postponing our October drilling trip, the team was eager to get started and flew out on the 6th February. As mentioned in our previous newsletter, we had identified a local driller to help and advise our team which proved to be fortunate due to the extremely sandy soil at our first drill site. Despite a good start the first hole collapsed in on the drill, resulting in us losing a length of rod as well as the (expensive) drill bit.
Despite this set back, the team set up again about 20 feet away and after making some adjustments to their process, they were successful in drilling a very productive well. Unlike our usual wells which use a hand pump, this one was fitted with a solar powered electric pump that will fill a header tank and provide water to hundreds of people. That work is continuing and we will post photographs when it is finished.
The work we are called to do is rarely easy, never glamorous and wont ever make news headlines. But the lives changed and the joy shared is more tangible and longer lasting than the fleeting kudos that the world might give.
All of our work is funded by our Donors and from our Bottled Water Sales. Please consider a Monthly Giving Plan subscription to help us bring Hope to more people around the world!
Country Coordinator Mike Gillert and Jack Harrington
KENYA
At the start of January our partner in Kenya, Pastor Moses reached out to let us know that the NASIANDA Children's Home in Bungoma was going to be closed down unless they could improve the sanitation. This required the building of new pit latrines as well as provision of mosquito nets.
After being able to assist in a similar situation on 2023, Hope Springs Water was very pleased to be able to step in and help these children keep their home. New pit latrines are now almost completed and a very grateful (and much healthier) group of children owe much to people they will never meet. Thank you on their behalf for caring enough to support the work we do.
Our Country Coordinators are hoping to send a team over to Kenya in November/December this year. If you are interested in going or helping to fun that trip, please let us know.
All of our work is funded by our Donors and from our Bottled Water Sales. Please consider a Monthly Giving Plan subscription to help us bring Hope to more people around the world!
EVENTS:
We cannot drill wells or build latrines without money, but here at Hope Springs Water, we try to keep the FUN in FUNdraising.
THIS FRIDAY is WORLD WATER DAY - March 22nd:
World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater, raising awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis and has been held every year since 1993.
This year Hope Springs Water has partnered with Brookshire’s in Athens. We will be in the Brookshire’s car park serving Hot Dogs and handing out our bottled water to anyone who is able to stop by. All donations are welcome and there will also be a chance to win some fun prizes. We might even sign autographs if you ask nicely :-)
Golf2Well 2024 - APRIL 22, 2024.
The best, brightest and funnest Golf Tournament in East Texas is BACK. There are spaces for 20 teams of 4 to sign up for an amazing morning of Golf at The Cascades, with lots of sponsorship opportunities available as well.
This is one you do not want to miss, and as 2023 was fully booked up, you should book your place early.
Email admin@hopespringswater.org or call our office 903.292.1781 to sign up your team!We cannot drill wells or build latrines without money, but here at Hope Springs Water, we try to keep the FUN in FUNdraising.
THIS FRIDAY is WORLD WATER DAY - March 22nd:
World Water Day is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of freshwater, raising awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. It is about taking action to tackle the global water crisis and has been held every year since 1993.
This year Hope Springs Water has partnered with Brookshire’s in Athens. We will be in the Brookshire’s car park serving Hot Dogs and handing out our bottled water to anyone who is able to stop by. All donations are welcome and there will also be a chance to win some fun prizes. We might even sign autographs if you ask nicely :-)
LIVE MUSIC FOR GIVE WELL - July 20, 2024
Our Live Music Give Well Event returns on July 20th this year! The amazing Tuxedo Cats will have you rocking, singing and dancing as you eat Smoky B BBQ and let your hair down at the Texan, all for a GREAT cause. This is one you simply CANNOT miss, so tell your friends, grab your families and come and have a great evening of fun with the Hope Springs Water posse.
Hope for Girls program
After helping with the distribution of over 300 kits in January, Amanda has been visiting the sewing groups who make the Menstrual Kits for the program. We are available to speak at events, meetings, schools - just email us to see about scheduling a visit! Here are some photos of recent speaking engagements and visiting with the sewing groups!
All the details of our planned trips, Fundraising events and opportunities for partnership can be found on our website .
If you are interested in learning more about going on a TRIP in 2024 or beyond, email us admin@HopeSpringsWater.org
So, THANK YOU for all your support so far, together we can DO MORE IN '24!!
