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Only by improving the quality of life of the people at the bottom of the pyramid will stable peace and commerce be insured for everyone- Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Founder of the Grameen Bank
We are all one planet, one world, one people, one family. As our world becomes more inter-connected, people's needs at the bottom of the pyramid impose themselves everywhere. They must be effectively addressed. But we also all have the potential to transform this world. We have unprecedented power, technology, and ability to make a difference in pragmatic problem solving and the development of sustainable infrastructures. In response, many global corporations, governments, foundations, and individuals are seeking ways to usefully respond to this call as conscientious citizens of the one world in which we operate.
Historically, one of the most daunting aspects inherent to the poverty found in underdeveloped countries is that of living on and with fecal-contaminated water. Such polluted water causes one of five children to die before the age of five. And two of the remaining four children are permanently disabled. Half of the population bears the burden of supporting the less capable half, while already living in difficult conditions. Thus, the loss and damage of life, spirit, and emotions propagates this cycle of poverty.
Fecal pollution is universal. The people in villages and towns on all continents get their only water from the same source where the animals drink and defecate. Further, this is where people bathe, wash their clothes and deposit their wastes. Fecal contaminated water maims and kills -- and always has.
THE AQUA CLARA INITIATIVE
AQUA CLARA'S mission is to provide clean water to those in need as a tool for the transformation of children's lives and their families.
Having worked 25 years in many global locations with the Dow Chemical Company, Dr. Robert McDonald, a business man and engineer, concluded that an improved, family sized water remediation device could be developed -- one that generates clean disinfected water from highly polluted water. Further, this device could be inexpensive, utilize known technology, include no moving parts, require no electrical power, and be made of local materials, by the local people. This then becomes a useful, initial tool in establishing the needed transformation. And finally, from this base, locally owned businesses can be formed to which this technology is transferred, thus establishing the basis for improvements and sustainability.
Today, Aqua Clara has begun to accomplish its mission at its Beta Site through the creation of local partnerships, developing sustainable, locally owned businesses that provide clean water and the associated services needed for their group's children and families. Our family sized water purifier fills the necessary requirements as a first step in supplying clean water and user sustainability.