Watermakers delivered in Haiti

Watertechnology teacher Leo Groendijk went to Haiti last week, to deliver the first load of eight mobile watermakers. He handend the watermakers to several aid organisations and missionary posts. Next month a second load will be sent to the island, which has been struck by an earthquake.

Leo left for Haiti with eight mobile watermakers on februari 4th. His voyage was met by some difficulties, in spite of the help he received of World Servants Dominican Republic, but after two days he arrived in the capital Port au Prince. 'During my voyage I stayed at an aidcamp at the Haitian border, where I handed  three waterpurifiers to the foundation Societe Sociales Iglesias Dominicas,' Leo says. 'This is an aid organisation of the combined churches in the Dominican Republic, which sends aid convoys to Haiti three times a week. I instructed three technicians who work for this foundation on the use of the machines.'

Once arrived in Port au Prince, Leo more and more started to see how great the disaster is. 'The number of houses that have been destroyed, is enormous. And everywhere people were looking in the rubble for materials they could use to make themselves a new place to live in. In the street were piles of rubbish, sewege water, a penetrating stench and lots, lots of people having to live on the street amongst this mess.'

6000 rolls of bread

Leo stayed in an army tent at the ENAM complex, a schoolcomplex in the slum of La Saline, where about 9000 children (from the ages of 4 to 18) went to school prior to the earthquake. 'The entire complex has been destroyed and was later on completely plundered. The only thing that is still intact is the school's learning-bakery, which was set up years ago by a Dutch aid programme.'

More than 100 of the older schoolchildren have died. A lucky thing was that the disaster took place about four thirty in the afternoon, when most children had already gone home.

'In the bakery, where 6000 rolls of bread are being baked every day for schools in the vicinity, I installed a watermaker together with some of the school's technicians. I also instructed people on how to use it. The people of ENAM will install two more purifiers at schools in Petion Ville, a district south of the city of Port au Prince.'

More watermakers

The other two watermakers will be sent to Baptist Haiti Mission (BHM) in a village north of Port au Prince. It is a missionary post with a hospital and a number of schools. The hospital has a capacity of 100 beds, but at the moment 400 people are being treated there. People are working day and night to help homeless and wounded victims. 'BHM wishes to receive more watermakers and these will be sent in a second load, in a little over a month's time.'

In the meantime, a request has been made by the foundation 'children to school in Haiti'. They run 5 schools south of Port au Prince and they have an urgent need for clean drinking water. All in all, almost all the watermakers will end up at schools run by aid foundations and missionary posts that are in daily contact with Dutch representatives. 'I personally think this is very important, so that I can monitor what is happening with the systems and to find out what else might be needed. Also I will be easy to reach when there are questions or possible problems.'

After 3,5 days of travelling, including a 24 hour delay in New York due to heavy snowfall, Leo came home with a satisfied feeling. 'Now I can move on with the next load of watermakers. Thanks to all the donations that were made, we can send about 20 systems to Haiti. And 20 times 600 liters is 12.000 liters of clean drinking water a day. I would like to thank everybody for their support and donations.'

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