Clear Streams Are Not Safe

One of the questions we sometimes get asked about our Bhutan project is “There must be lots of clear mountain streams in Bhutan, so why do they need SkyHydrants?”

It’s true that the majority of schools do get their water from clear mountain streams but that doesnt mean there isn’t harmful bacteria!

The below official testing report provides the evidence of the need, from Lhuentse school following our installation on 3rd December.

CFU stands for  Colony-Forming Units, a measure of the number of viable bacteria cells in a sample.

Now the water supply to 468 students and staff of the schools has improved from being an ‘Intermediate to High Health Risk’ to being classified as ‘Safe’

If you would like to sponsor safe water for a school in Bhutan contact Disaster Aid Australia at: admin@disasteraidaustralia.org.au

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.

Safe Water – More Than One ‘Area of Focus’

Rotary International recently announced that they had added ‘Supporting the Environment‘ as a seventh ‘Area of Focus‘ for Rotary Action.

Although DAA’s Safe Water for Every Child obviously fits into the ‘Water and Sanitation‘ category it actually has an impact on every other areas of focus.

Here is how it makes a difference for each of the other six areas:

Supporting the Environment

Unlike many water treatment systems our SkyHydrants bring essential benefits to communities without increasing energy use.

DAA’s Safe Water for Every Child’s contribution to sustainability was recognised internationally by our success in the Energy Globe Awards in 2017

Disease Prevention and Treatment

Statistics from our recent project in India showed a reduction in illness of 88% for the over 8,000 children receiving water from the SkyHydrant.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted the need for safe water in the treatment and prevention from virus transmission.

Economic and Community Development

In developing countries without safe drinking water people either have to lose days of work through illness; or pay a substantial portion of their income to buy bottled water.

We have found a SkyHydrant means communities have more money to spend on better food, and investing in ways to improve their community for all.

Maternal and Child Health

In the first few years of life immunity from disease is particularly low which makes any infection particularly dangerous.

Safe drinking water is a key reason for improved health of both mothers and children.

Basic Education

Teachers tell us that the changes following a SkyHydrant are:

  • Better school attendance;
  • Less teacher time taken attending to children who become ill during the school day;
  • Less time spent helping students to catch up after lost time through illness;
  • Less teacher absence through illness.

Peace and Conflict Resolution

Our aid in the Philippine island of Mindanao has included areas subject to civil unrest due to the feeling of rural people that they are forgotten.

Our partner in Mindanao, the Balay Mindanao Peace Foundation has found that the prospect of a safe water installation encourages the communities to look for peaceful solutions to their other problems.

You can help support all seven areas of Rotary focus by making a donation at the link below:

DONATE

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.

On Line SkyHydrant Training

As Disaster Aid Australia continues to adapt to the COVID pandemic we now provide  SkyHydrant training to our partners through ZOOM.

We have just completed the third unit of a trial of weekly sessions with Balay Mindanaw, a partner who have been involved in over 70 installations in the Philippines.

During the sessions the training includes elements that are suitable for; those new to SkyHydrants; and those with extensive experience.

The training  covers all aspects of the installation and operation of SkyHydrants including:

  • SkyHydrant connections.
  • Suitable buildings.
  • Head tank issues.
  • Improving raw water quality.
  • Psychology of Safe Drinking Water
  • Using pumps.

The training is delivered via PowerPoint presentations with question and answer sessions.

Short instructional videos are also shown during the sessions, and are available for later access during installations.

To find out more contact us at media@disasteraidaustralia.org.au

 

You can help Disaster Aid Australia  continue to deliver aid in spite of the  COVID-19 pandemic, by making a donation at the link below:

DONATE

Charity donations of $2 or more to Disaster Aid Australia are tax-deductible in Australia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why We Install Ultra Filtration Systems

We have recently received these results from a project for eight schools in India

What this means is; across the eight schools:

  • Before the UltraFiltration systems were installed on average 643 students were ill every week
  • Afterwards the number of ill students dropped to 74  per week.
  • An overall 88% reduction in illness from all causes.

It would seem that the majority of child illness has been caused by contaminated water and with the removal of bacteria that form of illness has practically disappeared.

If you want to find out how Disaster Aid Australia can help your aid project achieve these results contact us at media@disasteraidaustralia.org.au

To see a short video about this projects follow this link: Indian Project

Thanks to Diganta Swaraj Foundation for providing these results.