In my last post, I talked about contacting a guy at Water for the Oppressed, which is an organization providing clean drinking water for people in Zambia. The guy I was contacting is a friend-of-a-friend of Jonathan Gould. I wasn't sure that this guy would be able to help me directly, but I was hoping that at the very least, he would be able to put me in contact with someone who could help me.

I emailed C.W. Bing before I went to bed last Thursday night. When I checked my email on Friday, he had already responded. I was surprised how quickly he was able to get back with me.

It seems that Mr. Bing will not be able to help me with his organization, Water for the Oppressed. However, it turns out that aside from founding and running their own organization, Mr. Bing and his wife also work for Living Water International. He is the Director of East African Development for Living Water International, which means he is in charge of drilling wells in countries like Sudan, Uganda and Kenya.

In his response, he asked for more details on the location I was hoping to have the well drilled. He made it seem like it would not be a problem for him to help, which is awesome, but scary.

In case you are wondering where I am trying to get a well drilled, it is here and if you want to know more about the people that I want to drill a well for, you can find some general information on them here.

Labels: activism, africa, water

I wrote an email to Water For The Oppressed tonight. It's an organization that Jonathan Gould told me about. They have connections to Raleigh/Cary.

I have mixed feelings about it. It is exciting to think about what it could lead to, but it is also scary. I've been comfortable with my dream being a dream, but now that I am taking steps towards making it a reality, that scares me.

I can be risk averse when it comes to me potentially failing. I am also great with coming up with ideas, but horrible with following-through on those ideas. So, if you could pray for me to be a risk taker and for me to be someone that follows through, that'd be great.

Labels: activism, africa, water

The ONE Campaign has started a petition in attempt to make sure the fight against extreme poverty is an important part of the platforms of both the Democratic and Republican parties when they are unveiled at their respective conventions later this month and early next month.

The petition reads as follows:

As a proud American, I urge you to make ending extreme poverty and global disease in the developing world a core part of your 2008 platform by including commitments to:

• Fight AIDS, TB and malaria and improve basic health services, particularly for mothers and young children


• Ensure access to clean water, basic sanitation and sufficient food supplies


• Spur economic growth through equitable trade and investment policies


• Modernize and increase development assistance, focusing on partnership, transparency and accountability Achieve universal primary education

You can get involved and sign the petition by going here and filling out the form on the right.

ht: the ONE blog

Labels: activism, africa, aids, injustice, water