Water Starter

Putting reverse osmosis filters into 30 villages, 1500 to 10,000 population--not 500,000 as we were told--should be our first big project if everything goes right. These villages were identified by the Lyerlys and SMAAT (water and air purification company) as potential receivers of the filters after the Church okayed seven previous ones. Nothing has actually been submitted to the Church as yet but the villages have proceeded as if it has. They are building or have built structures to house the filters. They are so excited because their water contains so much flouride that their teeth, bones, joints and general health are adversely affected. The project meets the Church requirements of self-reliance, sustainability, leader, participation and work by the beneficiaries. All with whom we talked today are very anxious to have the water which not only will be pure and good to the taste but also will cost them 1/10 as much as their water now.

My favorite village is Jiapally Thanda on the left. It was the most remote and Mr. Sudhakar, president of all the Bibinagar villages, said the people are very innocent here. Only men came to the plant location in the other villages but here many women and children gathered round and made us feel very important. The older women are about my age but seemed much older. Wish you could see what they were wearing and had in their ears. The children were very thrilled with us. SMAAT and Sudhakar want a separate plant in this village although it is small and somewhat close (It was much farther away than I anticipated.) to its neighbor Jiapally. I'm all for giving these people their own. They were precious. But Shekar thinks one is enough for both villages.

Ms. Saraswathi is the president of Bibinagar a village of 10,000. People here have built this structure to house the RO filter and are very anxious to have it installed. She was elected by the people and will no doubt be elected again when they can have the purified water. The water tank tower belongs to this village.

This reverse osmosis filter is what the Church has purchased for seven villages thus far. Above is a small plaque that bears the name of the Church. (This pic has disappeared for me. Hopefully, it will show up when I post. Another pic also disappeared of the president, Mr. Ramulu, of Rairaopet. They have only a hand pump which he is standing by but they have a building just to the left to house the RO filters.)Bill and I will be involved at dedication ceremonies for the one at left and one other village which the Lyerlys were unable to do before leaving. The men above include their sanpache or mayor. I think the village name is Padmati Somaram.