Find another water supply, right?
What do you do when the village water supply makes everyone sick and there is no other source of water? Do you wait the days it takes to die of dehydration, or do you drink the water and get sick?
You drink the water to survive, and you get sick most likely. The thirst of dehydration will drive you to survive, you will drink the water. That water is tainted, but your survival instinct does not care. You drink the water.
This is the exact situation in Panguma, Sierra Leone where 2800 people have a tainted water source and no other choice.
Panguma was already hit heavily by Ebola, and a large percentage of the population lost their lives, which left behind many orphans and few village elders to lead the community and solve the problems.
Fortunately, Panguma has a man like Roda Jeff Muslimani who has stepped up to help lead the community and solve their problems.
The most pressing problem right now in Panguma is water, dirty, contaminated water that is draining the village again of its human resources.
Mr. Muslimani is trying desperately to get a project started to help his community get clean water. When he goes to the community water source he sees the water at the base of the hill:
“The color of the water is light yellow, or closer to brown. The area is open to animals, tree leaves and debris rain down into the water. The iron pipes which carry the water are too old now. The water supply is germ ridden. When we drink the water, we get sick. This water is not good for our health. People are contracting typhoid from the water.”
Sierra Leone is a long way from Laos, where President Obama recently visited. However, Pres. Obama’s address to the people of Laos had a point that connects us to Sierra Leone.
“No child should ever die from hunger, or a mosquito bite, or the poison of dirty water. This is the justice we seek in the world.” — Pres. Barrack Obama, Sep. 6, 2016 address to Laos
We are connected by water. The Earth’s aquifers are all one big system from the smallest ponds to the oceans and clouds. We all deserve clean healthy water that does not make us sick.
How can we help the community of Panguma which is a part of our global community?
Please contact Roda Jeff Muslimani if you can help in any way.
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Feature Photo Credit: Getty Images . All other photo courtesy of Roda Jeff Muslimani