[fsf60k] water works

From: richard wiltamuth <dwiltam@xxxxxxxxx>
To: fsf60k@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 17:03:31 -0500
***This is a message from a member of Friends of Students for 60,000***

Dear Friends,
At last night's marathon session, the group decided to send funds to keep
the Nuevo Amanecer water project moving. We are committed to pay a total of
about $25,000 for salaries and logistics and agreed to send more than half
of that soon to cover obligations incurred by Nuevas Esperanzas, a nonprofit
in Leon. The project manager, Andrew Longley, made the request via a
conference call last night. Along with funds from the government of Telica,
our donation will pay for virtually all of phase 1 of the project. Phase 1
is estimated to cost about $86,000. This phase amounts to piping water from
an existing well in Nuevo to each home. A new electric pump will be used,
powered by a line to be installed. Many of the trenches for the pipes have
been dug by residents of Nuevo and neighboring La Union. Unfortunately, the
well water contains arsenic, which means it can be used for bathing and
washing, and possibly animals and crops, but not for drinking. Andrew said
there are two solutions to the drinking-water contamination problem. One,
phase 2, is to continue testing home filters that reduce both arsenic and
bacteria. The other, phase 3 and the one recommended by Andrew, is to pipe
arsenic-free water from a mountain spring, Agua Fria. This water is for
drinking and would be sent by gravity to stand pipes throughout the
communities. Funding for phase 3 is estimated at $65,000 and has not been
secured.
Currently Friends has two directors, and our bylaws require at least three.
Kate Shreck volunteered to serve if needed. Mike Cipoletti and Shari
Kornblatt indicated they might be interested. Lisa P. Flanagan, adviser to
Students for 60,000, offered to check with the high school about the
availability of audio or video conferencing for our meetings. If that is
possible, directors would not have to be physically present at the meetings.
However, directors would have to commit to a three-year term, keep up to
speed on issues and be available for consultation between meetings. George
Pardo suggesting looking for directors from outside of our known circle of
Friends devotees. Voting for directors in scheduled for the next meeting,
March 3. If anyone is interested in becoming a director, please contact Pete
White at 631-757-6150 or pedro831@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Taylor Robbins is now leading the plan to build a multimedia library in
"downtown" Chacraseca. She said interested parties plan to travel there to
find out what features the folks would like to see in the facility.
Meanwhile, new advocates are being recruited and fundraisers being planned.
Mike said land was donated by the nonprofit Association San Isidro, and the
library may have a for-profit cyber cafe connected to the Internet by an
existing satellite. Scholarship recipients could provide staffing. He said
the entire country has only three lending libraries, so government funding
is not going to happen.
Shari Kornblatt said her recent trip with others focused on microloans and
scholarships so that Nuevo students can go to high school.
Pete White said the deadline is mid-month for applications for two chapters,
one in New England and one in Florida. Paperwork is being assembled to
satisfy the IRS.
Mike reported that the Hola Foundation in Colorado is interested in funding
a bodega and medical clinic in Nuevo. He said Stonehill College, his alma
mater, is providing two solar systems at $170 each to be installed in homes
as a test of their feasibility, as well as testing composting latrines that
reduce ground pollution.




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[fsf60k] water works

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