Faithful Servants

Tomas and Cesar (l-r) promoting clean water and good health in La Palma

This is Tomas and Cesar after delivering water filter replacements (Onil Water Filter from Helps International) to the ABC families out in La Palma.  They reportedly hiked "all over creation" to get it done.  One house was an hour's climb from the road and I guess Tomas either volunteered or lost out on that one (he should have played his seniority card if you ask me)!  But the familes are doing well and for the most part keeping the filters clean.  Several have fashioned plastic capes to cover their filters because there is so much dust in these last weeks of dry season.  Cesar reported that one widow lady had a tiny little house but everything in it was spotless and clean.  Her filter was stained gray on the outside from the kitchen smoke but spic and span inside.  Another widow lady who worked all  day outside of the home was not taking care of her filter, so Cesar sat and talked to her about the situation.  Then he helped her take it apart and clean it and reassemble it with the replacement.  I think he was touched by the difficulties he saw in her life. 

These are just two of our wonderful and dedicated staff and we thank God for letting us be a part of this team!

ABC Water Filters

We have been focusing on nutritional education with the children in the ABC Sponsorship program this year with some great classes in the month of November (see Sheri's post on education http://sheriinguate.blogspot.com/2010/11/abc-nutritional-class-in-paxot-ii.html).  Also, this year we started offering water filters for our patients and others who are interested at cost.  Since we have been so impressed with the water filters and we are very interested in providing clean sources of water to the children in the program, we are promoting a program to provide water filters to the ABC families. 

Water is accessible, just not necessarily clean of all bacteria and most importantly amoebas, so these water filters provide a very cost effective, pratical and quick way to provide clean drinking water to families.

These water filters are made available by Helps International (http://www.helpsintl.org/), a development aide organization in Guatemala who has also developed a smokeless stove and made them available for other organizations and individuals at affordable prices.  Prior to offering the filters we have tried it for around a year now and have not gotten sick, so if a north american with a weaker stomach can make it with no sickness, then we know it is good.  :)  These filters use a ceramic purification element that only has to be replaced every year as long as it is maintained correctly. 

Here is a brochure regarding the program.  For more information about the ABC Child sponsorship program, please see http://www.healthtalents.org/index.php?page=programs#anchor6146 or feel free to contact us as we see first hand the success of the program.

Please watch for more information regarding the positive results of the ABC program in the area of keeping kids in school and furthering their education.