Almost 6,000 Lives Changed!

“Now I never suffer. Everything is better!”

A cause for celebration…

Last week, we completed the final steps for the 1,000th family in Cité Soleil 1,000 Homes project! All 1,000 families have received hygiene education and have biosand water filters in their homes, and 5,893 people are now enjoying a life with sustainably safe, clean water.

Cite Soleil_CHPs1Two hundred volunteer Community Agents are trained and busy checking in with their assigned families to provide any necessary support with the filters or hygiene practices. Last week, the final eight Community Agents received their PWW Volunteer Team badges and support materials and are ready to go.  (photo below)

We asked Martha Louis, who has been drinking clean water for four months now, how the filter and hygiene training have impacted her life. Martha shared, “I have been a very sick person. I suffer from typhoid*. Before, every time I drink any water, I get very bad stomachaches. Now, I never suffer. Everything is better!”

*Note: The CDC recommends clean drinking water, better sanitation, and better handwashing for the prevention of typhoid.

The final nine biosand filters were installed with the help of three volunteer teenage girls and their parents, visiting Haiti from the US on a PWW trip.

Hannah Fisher, 17-year old VT high school junior helped install the 999th filter. When asked how it felt, she shared, “It is amazing to know that in thirty minutes, I helped change a family’s life forever.”

A heartfelt thank you our generous donors, who made the dream of safe water a reality for these 1,000 families in Cite Soleil! We look forward to the next 1,000.

Written by Kaylee Pratt, PWW Intern