MEET: EMILY HULBERT with WATER CYCLE
My name is Emily and I am beyond stoked to become an ambassador for WATA!
I have embarked on a journey crossing the globe on my bicycle in an attempt to explore the worlds heart beat in such a way that I can be apart of her time!
After several years backpacking this incredible globe I realised that with this immense privilege comes a huge responsibility to make this world a safe beautiful place for everyone to thrive!
A passion for ocean conservation, disappointment in plastic pollution and a desire to help people led me to find a solution with water filters!
I will be riding across the world, through remote communities in need of access to clean water, and delivering and distributing these water filters on the way!
It’s a great honour to partner with WATA and collaborate in ensuring everyone has equal access to clean water!
CURRENT LOCATION: CAMBODIA
TRAVELED TO: AUSTRALIA, INDONESIA, SINGAPORE, VIETNAM, MALAYSIA
FILTERS SETUP SO FAR: 36 (20 in C. Lombok, 2 E. Lombok, 1 N. Bali, 13 N. Vietnam)
Tier 1 Sponsors will get a thank you pack that includes:
PEOPLE
2
BILLION
WORLDWIDE, DO NOT
HAVE LOCAL ACCESS TO
CLEAN DRINKING WATER
PROJECT: VIETNAM
IN MARCH 2024, The W.A.T.A. Team, in collaboration with the HAN-SCHNEIDER INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION, will be traveling to Vietnam to distribute and setup water filters in villages located in the central highlands. The goal is to raise funds so that we can provide a water filter to each household, providing water to approximately 250 PEOPLE living in the mountain villages.
FILTER GOAL
50
TRIP 2 DATES
March
16-31, 2024
FUNDING GOAL
$10,000
THIS INCLUDES VIETNAM AND OTHER TRIPS
IMPACT
250
People
EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGES
PROJECT: MYANMAR
While preparing for our PROJECT:VIETNAM TRIP in March, I received a message from a college friend regarding a need for clean water in a village that she's connected to in BURMA. We figured, since we will be close, we could take a trip and establish a connection and relationship for a future larger project while still making an impact by setting up some filters.
FILTER GOAL
20
TRIP 1 DATES
March
25-27, 2024
FUNDING GOAL
$2,000
IMPACT
TBD
THIS IS A SCOUTING TRIP TO ESTABLISH A NEED AND FUTURE PROJECT
Water ACcess TO ALL
FUNDRAISING EVENTS:
THE SALTED SNAKE INVITATIONAL | SALTED SNAKE SILENT AUCTION | PROJECT:VIETNAM GALA | PRINTS4WATER
GET INVOLVED
COMING SOON!
Print Orientation and Dimensions will adjust based on the Individual Photo
FUNDRAISING EVENTS:
THE SALTED SNAKE INVITATIONAL | SALTED SNAKE SILENT AUCTION | PROJECT VIETNAM GALA | PRINTS4WATER
WHAt you'll need
RAINWATER CATCHMENT SYSTEM
1
Drill a holes near the bottom of the rainwater basin. A few inches from the base.
2
Attach the filter/hose to the
3
Squeeze bottle/pouch to pour out clean water
TRIP RECAP:
Sep 3, 2023:
About a 6 hour drive from Da Nang, into the central highlands, sits a small mountain village, home to the local Dong People.
After driving up the hill you are greeted by the gates of the school, topped with colorful flags, with children gathering around as the van pulls up to the gates.
We set up sleeping bags in what would be the teacher's lounge, and headed to the courtyard, where all the activities took place.
Part of our mission here was to paint a mural on the side of the school, in addition to play games with the kids and donate some very needed school supplies, art supplies, and some dental supplies, all in preparation for opening day.
At the end, the kids all painted their hands on around the mural, adding the final touch to what will be on their school forever.
After we completed the mission, we had a chance to setup a filter demonstration and instructional for the teachers and community reps. It was raining and the kids were in class at this point, but being able to properly show them how to use it was vital. If the rained stopped the plan was to head into the jungle behind the school and demonstrate the filter to the kids.
It was amazing and encouraging to see how quickly they took the filters and started working them. The main village rep (standing up in a hat in the bottom right photo) came over and gave us a hug once he realized the filters purchase. He told us that people have been getting sick "from the small particles in the water" and that these filters will help.
After the training session, the rained stopped and we decided it was time for us head into the jungle.
Naturally, the kids led the way, up what was a somewhat thick path through the jungle. We eventually stopped at one boulder that had some water flowing next to it.
We performed the demonstration a couple times, making sure everyone was watching. The teachers then took their turn screwing on the filter to the bottle and squeezing the bottle to let out the clean drinking water.
The kids were really into it, taking the bottle and drinking from it and then passing it to another and another.
Being able to not only show the kids how the filter works, but also let them drink the now clean water was something I feel was really impactful.
The teachers all understood the importance of this technology and I am hoping I can raise more money to bring over even more than the 10 filters that were donated the first time.
WHAt you'll need
FAUCET ATTACHMENT SYSTEM
1
Fill Pouch or Water Bottle with dirty water
2
Screw on the filter to the top of the bottle or pouch
3
Squeeze bottle/pouch to pour out clean water
THIS SECTION BELOW IS OBSOLETE - JUST A REFERENCE
HOW WE DO IT
1. Raising Money by selling photography prints (ANALOG)
Typically a roll of 35mm film has 36 exposures. This could lead to 36 potential photos and therefore 36 different prints. These 36 prints, have the potential to provide a minimum of 3600 humans, clean drinkable water.
Here's the math the prove it....
+
=
WATER + BUCKET CLIP ART
As you can see, each print has the potential to provide 1 Water Filter to a community, a location, or specific family. Each filter can provide the recipient clean drinking water for 100 people for years. (With proper care that can be even longer. Learn More) This means that each roll of film can provide 3600 people with clean water!
Why Film Photography?
To help support the photographers who enjoy and practice this type of photography. Film Photography isn't cheap, and with the rising costs of everything, film costs are now getting even higher and there's sometimes even shortages in the chemicals needed for development. I also personally enjoy and respect film photography and the care and attention that goes into each photograph. With each set of 36 photos, A portion of each print sold will go back to the artist while the rest goes towards the purchase of water filters.
The cost of the print (and number of filters purchased) is dependent on the size of the print.
There is a LIMIT 1 Print for each size
4. RINSE & REPEAT
The best part about our community-driven initiative is that it's easy to replicate! With our step-by-step guide, anyone can create their own water filter project and help provide clean drinking water to those in need. But it's not just about access to clean water. Sanitation is equally important in preventing waterborne illnesses, which is why we also encourage the use of proper hygiene practices and education on sanitation. Join us in our mission to make clean water accessible to all
1. PREP WORK
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RESEARCH
Finding water projects is at the heart of our mission. It's important to research areas to determine if a filter solution is possible and can be beneficial for the community. This is one of the most important steps of the whole process.
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OUTREACH + CONNECTION
Once an area is determined a potential water project site, it is time to outreach to local non-profits and community members and begin building that connection. This relationship with the local area is important for the success of the project and a level of trust needs to be built before any project can start.
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FUNDRAISING
All projects start with funding and aren't possible without the generous donations from the community. There are various ways that we making funding a project possible:
OPEN DONATION
General donations are always welcome and you can help support projects by donating to the general fund. This fund is used to purchase filters and to support trips aboard.
PROJECT BASED
Throughout the year, there will be various water projects that we will be a part of. You can donate directly to each project, which ill help support the cost of the project such as filters and travel.
These are often done through print sales.
DISASTER RELIEF
As worldwide disasters strike, our goal is to be able to help provide aid to these areas. One of the most crucial parts of early disaster relief is making sure there is clean water, and you can help fund this by donating for the purchase of filters that will be delivered to the areas in need.
Some of the types of groups and organizations that we look to partner with:
2. THE PROJECT
Once a specific area is determined and a connection is made, it is time to start the water project and physically visit the area to set up the system needed
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TRAVEL
If possible, we try to stay at or near the community that we are going to provide the water systems for. This allows for a level of trust and community to be built and will ultimately add to the longevity and sustainability of the water system.
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SETTING UP THE SYSTEM
Depending on the system that was decided for that area, each setup will vary. CLICK HERE to learn more about the various filter setups and systems.
1. Make sure you work with a community leader or authority if possible
2. Determine the best method for the filter (Bucket, Tank, Individual, etc)
3. Make sure to demonstrate the filter setup in front of the leaders and the community
4. Drink the first cup and offer a cup to anyone watching, No worries if they don't drink it
5. Smile :) It's important to build trust and friendship
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
After the system is physically set up and the community has been trained on the proper usage and cleaning there are some final steps that we take to ensure the project can be sustainable:
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Create a Filter Cleaning Station/System - this will vary for each project
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Provide extra filters as backups - the storage location will vary for each project
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Leave behind physical instructions/diagrams - post some of them if possible
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Make sure you have a local contact to check in on filter usage and cleaning
3. follow up
Each project is followed up on over the next year. This is to ensure that the systems set up are still working and are being used to the full potential.
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FILTER USAGE
Following up to determine how the filters are being used and cleaned is very important. Doing this early on can really make a huge difference. Although we might not be able to physically be there for all the checks, we entrust that responsibility with a community leader. We hope that this way we can empower the community to ensure the filters longevitiy.
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QUESTIONS
We answer any questions that the community or leaders are having regarding the system that was setup.
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MORE FILTERS
Sometimes communities will request more filters due to an increased need or an expansion.
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UPGRADES
In some cases, a system expansion might be necessary. There might be an opportunity to create a more permanent or expansive water system, resulting in a future water project.
click each TOPIC to learn more
DISEASE & SICKNESS
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About 850 Million people lack basic drinking-water systems (WHO).
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Globally, about 2 Billion people have their water source contaminated by human/animal waste (WHO).
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Contaminated Water is the source of many diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. Each year about 1/2 Million people die from diarrhea related deaths (WHO).
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About 250 Million people are affected by schistosomiasis - a disease caused by a parasite found in infected water (WHO).
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About 50% of a diarrheal deaths could have been avoided through safe drinking water (WHO).
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32% of the world's population lacks access to basic sanitation facilities (WHO/UNICEF).
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In Africa, 42% of health facilities do not have access to a clean water source with 500 meters (WHO).
