World Water Day: Food For The Poor Transforms Communities Through the Power of Water
COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 22, 2024) – Today, as nations observe World Water Day, Food For The Poor (FFTP) is acknowledging the power of water and all the ways it lifts communities, families, and individuals.
In Jamaica, FFTP introduced rainwater harvesting systems to 15 local farmers in the Decoy Farmers Group. Now, thanks to the charity’s donors, the farmers can produce higher yields.
Before the charity intervened, the farmers had limited resources to implement a proper irrigation system. As a result, they had to rely solely on Mother Nature, which meant they couldn’t grow most vegetable crops during the drier months of the year.
But a new rainwater harvesting system, which introduced water storage tanks and irrigation, has changed all that. Farmers like Samantha are earning higher prices for their crops because of the better quality.
Higher profits mean more income to support their families and to send their children to school. They’re also able to reinvest in their farms, purchase more seedlings and fertilizers, and employ other members of the community.
FFTP President/CEO Ed Raine emphasized the significance of World Water Day and the pivotal role of organizations like FFTP in addressing water scarcity and sanitation challenges.
“Water is not just a basic necessity; it is a powerful force for change,” Raine said. “When communities have access to clean water, they can thrive, grow, and build a better future. At Food For The Poor, we believe in harnessing the power of water to bring hope and transformation to those in need.”
In the community of Nuevo Renacer, Honduras, FFTP worked with trusted partner Water Mission to provide families with options for access to treated drinking water that greatly reduces diseases caused by the consumption of contaminated water.
Solar-powered purification and chlorination units guarantee the treated water is safe to drink.
“I use clean water for household chores, washing dishes, personal hygiene, and washing clothes,” Karolina said.
“We used to buy purified water every day,” Maria said. “But now we don’t buy it anymore because we have it in the community. The projects have given us the functionality of both the water purification system and the water project for hygiene.”
In Mexico, FFTP is partnering with Water Mission to provide treated water and sanitation to 10 communities in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas over the next five years.
The work begins in El Fortín and El Puentes Margaritas in the municipality of Pijijiapan, where 2,971 residents will benefit from access to a customized safe water treatment and distribution system to meet their water needs.
As many as 161 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean (1 in 4) do not have adequate access to safe drinking water, according to the United Nations.
Access to safe drinking water and sanitation is one of the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. FFTP is committed to meeting that goal by providing access to treated water and adequate sanitation to promote good hygiene for children and families living in vulnerable communities.
Everyone is invited to join FFTP team members on the charity’s Instagram page to take the World Water Day Challenge and share water-saving tips.
When an Instagram user takes a selfie video using the filter, a multitude of water-saving tips from “don’t take a shower today” to “turning off the water while you brush your teeth” will whiz by in a square above their head before settling on one.
Users can then share the video to their Instagram story, tagging @foodforthepoorinc and using the hashtag #worldwaterday.
To make a donation to support FFTP water projects, visit foodforthepoor.org/worldwaterday.
Food For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and development organizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry children and families living in poverty primarily in 17 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency relief assistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerable children, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.
Michael Turnbell
Communications
954-471-0928
[email protected]