World Water Day 2010: The Emmaus project in Benin
The idea of an annual World Water Day to highlight the issues surrounding global water supplies came about after the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development. 18 years later and an estimated 1.1 billion people still rely on unsafe drinking water.
In Benin, Emmaus International and the local inhabitants are working together on the Lake Nokoue Project, an ambitious plan to bring clean drinking water to the area and to improve sanitation. The Lake Nokoue Project is a perfect fit with the overall theme of World Water Day 2010: 'Clean Water for a Healthy World'.
Work at Lake Nokoue in 2010 will focus on building latrine blocks on the pilot site, constructing a new water tower and starting work on 3 more sites near the lake. It is hoped that these will be ready by early 2011.
The Lake Nokoue Project: a completed water suppy point
Emmaus Communities around the world raise funds for Emmaus International projects through their own local efforts, and additional funds are made available from the proceeds of the Paris Salon sale every June.
Emmaus Gloucestershire are helping raise money and awareness of the need for clean water by having a stall at Gloucestershire College, selling bric a brac from their shop and giving out leaflets about the Lake Nokoue Project. If people can't get to the stall, they're being encouraged to donate a teapot with a message inside for sale at the upcoming Paris Salon!
More information
In addition to its commitment to the Lake Nokoue Project, Emmaus International has prioritised other programmes to help with ethical funding, funding for healthcare in Africa and education in South America.
Published on 22nd March, 2010
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