Sadhana Clean Water Project, ‘07-’08
“Safe drinking water is vital to the health and wellbeing of rural India where 65% of population lives. Resources of drinking water are shrinking by the day and contamination is rampant. The pity of it all is that awareness of safety of drinking water is yet to sink into popular consciousness.” - Vasant Deshpande, Sadhana Village
This year’s project aims to address obstacles to clean water access in rural India. India claims the second largest population globally with 1.25 billion people; of that, 226 million people do not have access to safe water. In the state of Maharashtra alone, approximately 700,000 people contract water related diseases annually. The problem of water access is further exacerbated by competition for the limited resources available. The demand for water in India is expected to double by 2025 with few viable alternatives for water acquisition. Our project aims to explore possible strategies with local non-profit organizations and community members to improve the conditions of water access in India.
Appropriate Technology Study Group
WDA’s Appropriate Technology Study Group, in partnership with Sadhana Village and Madhindra United World College of India, seeks to understand the cultural, social and religious barriers to appropriate water technology. The inspiration this study group came from our research and first-hand experience, both of which indicate the importance of taking a whole systems approach rather than focusing narrowly on technological obstacles and solutions. We will spend a couple of months collecting data through a multi-pronged approach of ethnographic surveys, focus groups, and personal interviews.
A collaborative report will follow the end of the study and will describe and assess our findings, as well as provide recommendations to adequately overcome the obstacles. The case study be available in print and as a free download. Ideally, this publication will also help NGOs working in the valley to design implement AT projects which are grounded in the socio-political sensitivities of the community and region. Read more »
Safe and Sustainable Water Conference
In order to foster clean water development in rural India, WDA is hosting the Safe and Sustainable Clean Water Conference on 19 March 2008 at the Nehru Science Center in Mumbai, India. The conference will have presentations by prominent NGOs, government officials and lawyers to train and educate organization representatives and community leaders on local and regional water issues and provide participants with the space and resources necessary in order to share their knowledge and experience. After presentations, there will be a public forum bringing together community members, NGOs, and water development experts designed to facilitate the connections and the exchange of information essential to addressing local challenges. There is only a minor cost of attendance to participants, Rs. 200 per attendee, and the fee will be waived for those who demonstrate financial need. Travel scholarships will also be available. More »
In addition to the AT Study Group and the Safe and Sustainable Water Conference, WDA is publishing a Water Book featuring a compilation of case studies and essays chronicling ten different Indian NGO’s efforts to implement clean water projects. Each contributing NGO will write a chapter detailing their organization’s history and area of operation, projects implemented, and a self-analysis of the lessons they have learned through their successes and struggles in tackling clean water issues. WDA hopes the book will serve as both a resource and a catalyst for groups and individuals working towards sustainable clean water development. Distributing the book to attendees of WDA’s clean water conference prior to the event will provide organizations with the opportunity to arrive with a clear idea of their peer’s projects, ideally allowing for more effective networking opportunities and extensive sharing of knowledge at the conference.
Links
Support this project on:
Resources: - Learn more about the water situation in India
Sponsors
Whitman Direct Action would like to kindly thank these businesses and individuals for their generous support of this years project:
- MTV Youth Venture
- Albertson’s
- Super One
- Starbucks
- Asian Cultural Association