Ok, enough of this but I was driving fast and enjoying most of the experience primarily because I had the AC going full blast, music was playing and a cold 2 liter bottle of water resting in the center console. Having the opportunity to take a drink whenever I wanted was magnificent and never really thought about until I got outside and again experienced the rush of hot, humid, Indian summer heat.

We finally rolled into a village which Prasanna was taking us to because in this place they requested water and according to Prasanna it was a needy tribal area so I decided to shoot some video to give you the reader a glimpse of what I experienced. I have edited a lot out as who wants to sit through 20 minutes of video listening to people you can’t understand? So I give you just 5 minutes I think and in this 5 minutes you will see and hear the need. This place unfortunately is typical of many places requesting water. I will say though that at least they have water. Many places in which we carry out our work there isn’t water in the village suitable for drinking. The suitable water is some distance from their dwelling and a considerable amount of time is spent each day in water collection for that day.

My goal in capturing this video is to just bring awareness to how millions of people live each and every day. The reality for this is harsh compared to us. They struggle to survive, we, better yet, I, struggle to find something to drink cold enough to satisfy my whim. For these rural people, they struggle to find just plain water safe enough to use without fear of sickness.

Village needing water (Click on the link to watch the video.)

For this village and countless others, money is all that is needed and not much of it. For less than $2,000 I can outfit this village with a hand pump water project and villages just like it. All I need is your help, your money. Do you want to change a life and make a real difference? Give me some cash and I will change a village with something as simple as water.

I am inviting anyone and everyone to this event, see the attached flyer by clicking on Sunset in the Park and follow the links for purchasing tickets – it’s going to be a great evening!
Sunset In The Park

Ok, so what did the trip hold? Much in many ways is the best response I can give and to keep things simple let me say things this way: we traveled to Trichy and dedicated 5 projects which were amazing in themselves. At each place we experienced the power of water and through our interactions with the villagers it was quite clear that what was accomplished in their village with water was truly a life giving effort.

After completing our village dedications we drove about an hour to a place referred to as an interior place and there we were greeted by villagers who had requested a water project. We spent time listening to their needs and documenting their current water situation. What struck me the most about this place was that when their tank was dry because they used all the water and there wasn’t any electricity to turn on the pump motor that the villagers would have to walk to the canal for water, so we went to the canal and like I expected it wasn’t much to look at. There was a lady washing clothes, another one washing a small herd of buffalo, kids were swimming and then there were 2, 6” flexible hoses running down the hill to the water’s edge and these were used for bringing the water up the embankment to the fields and to their buckets.
The harsh reality of this reinforced for me how desperate people really are for water and how much I take what I have for granted. The sad thing is that I didn’t even need to leave that village to be reminded mow much I take my water for granted for as soon as I climbed back in the car I was reaching for my 2 liter water bottle not even realizing that what I was drinking was much cleaner than what these villagers were left with.

The harsh reality in rural India is that clean water isn’t always easily accessible and if it is then one can consider themselves very fortunate for many in the rural parts of India don’t even enjoy that simple access.
I am trying to change this though and my final thought that I want to leave you with is this: what if the provision of water is just the beginning, the access point if you will to the rest of their life? What if we use the water and instead of saying goodbye and run off to the next place to bring water, we stay and see what else we can do to help alleviate their suffering? How cool would that be? I am thinking really cool.

Here’s to a new beginning, a holistic approach to saving lives. More to come later….

In India.

2 words packed with meaning and if you have never travelled with me here and been engaged in all that is going on these words might seem simplistic. The reality though is these 2 words are packed with meaning.

Just getting here has been a task. When this trip was booked it was done with thoughts of quick connections and flight times, no weather issues to be leery of, and hopefully no setbacks. Why was I dreaming or some might say what was I smoking? Sorry, I don’t smoke so that is out, but whenever you travel I have come to learn that obstacles always find a way of presenting themselves.

This trip was no different, just about a week before departure “things” started happening, team members suffering freak accidents, family members suffering from traumatic events, realizations that school calendars weren’t consulted when setting dates for the trip (thus 2 people will miss their kid’s 1st day back), and what else went on, oh, there were physical injuries and then the unforeseen airline flight delays and yes, even cancellations.

How is it that an airline decides to cancel a flight full of people on a weekday involving an important market, let’s say San Francisco to Chicago and LA to Chicago? No idea why this happens and yet it does but on the day we travel and to us? Nothing like running around covering last minute details before I head off to the airport when you get a call saying I am at the airport and they just cancelled my flight? SHUT UP!!!!!!!!! Is what I utter and the reply is no really, this time I am not messing, the airline just cancelled my flight. Fast forward 30 minutes and another call, Mike, they just cancelled my flight. What is going on? San Francisco and LA both cancelling flights to Chicago, you know how many flights they have and they cancel these with my team members on them? Disgusting I say, utterly disgusting.
Things worked out in the end; Valerie who was leaving from SFO was sent to Hong Kong and then got a connecting flight to Chennai and Michael was put on a series of planes and ultimately will arrive in India a day late, but none the less will arrive…just in time to get some sleep and jump back on another plane.

We all know the ups and downs of travel and no doubt we experienced our share of challenges and yet there are many out there who would say this is nothing and they are probably right. It all depends on one’s perspective which leads me back to my opening 2 words, in India.

India has a way of bringing perspective to life.

Life here is much different than in America. Hopefully in the next 10 days I and others can communicate how much different it really is but one thought to leave you with, maybe this is really the norm and what we have in America is unique.

Think about it.

In 2009 we brought water to 62 new places and believe that approximately 30,000 people are benefiting from our work this year. This brings our total number of fresh water projects since our inception to 380.

From a financial standpoint, Wells for Life® continues to be strong and again this year around 95% of your giving goes directly into project related expenses. More than ever your giving is actually making a difference in saving lives. If you are interested in a closer look at our 2009 990EZ click on the link that says 2009 IRS 990 which is located above the header of Water, water and more water at the top of this page. 

I know you have many choices when it comes to giving and I just want to personally say thank you for entrusting Wells for Life® with your gift. The reality continues to be without your help, people in the rural areas would continue to suffer various sicknesses and some may even die because they lack access to safe water.

This year the goal remains the same and that is to save lives!

To help us carry out our goal visit our homepage and select the Give Button at the top of this page.

Michael Viser

2009 990ez

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This isn’t to say I don’t get stuff done but outside of housework and dropping off and picking up the kids from school, oh yeah, and getting on an airplane, motivation is lacking when it comes to spending time on the ole computer getting things cranked out.  Maybe the problem is more of just starting that it is in finishing, even now I am getting somewhat excited, wait, I know, I need some extra motivation, hey, how about I treat myself to a scoop of ice cream this afternoon for every paragraph I type?  This sounds good but then that goes against my waist line and would upset the lack of motivation I have about going downstairs and exercising on the elliptical or hitting the weights.  I need something else to get me going, hmmm, maybe, well to be honest with you there isn’t anything that I want that I really should have so I guess I will just suffer, ok, keep typing I can do this.

Highlights…. In March I made several trips to Santa Rosa California and was awestruck at the difference a few can make.  BollywoodH20 was a huge success and it looks like we raised around $14,000 which will go a long way in providing water to some very thirsty places.  I capped off March with a trip down to Southern California and spoke in my cousin’s church and was greeted by a very warm response to the Wells for Life message and in turn the church was able to fund 2 water projects.  What was really special for me was to learn that a good percentage of what was raised was done so by the school age children and this by just collecting loose change and pestering Dad and Mom for the “green” stuff.

Making an impact in the world is really not all that difficult. 

People think they have to be big, powerful, wealthy, important or influential to make an impact and yet the reality is, they don’t, more specifically, you don’t.  Follow me…. One child in the States can find a way to earn, receive, or come upon some money very easily, say $20.  $20 to a kid may be a lot or maybe not much depending upon their age and the socio-economic status, regardless, coming upon $20 is fairly easy.  Now, take that $20 and give it to me.

 What can I do with it?

A lot.

I can change the course of life with just $20, actually, all I need is $3.

$3 is the average cost to bring water to a person in India.  $20 brings water to at least 6 people and then let’s say 7 as the 7^th can be a baby.

How do you change the world?  Very simply and very easily, you give to Wells for Life and you watch us turn your money into water.

Right now kids are changing history; they are getting involved with Wells for Life.  Kids at private Christian schools in Santa Ana and Costa Mesa, kids at public schools in Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee and Overland Park, KS and not to mention kids in Sonoma County CA.

The Human Race in Sonoma County is happening next month and last year they raised enough money for 10 village water projects, this year they want to surpass that goal and I don’t see why they can’t accomplish it.  I am thrilled about what they are seeking to do and so much so I am taking my family out to Northern California next month to join them and the name of the team?  Team Running Well.  Get it?  Pretty clever huh.

You want to be involved?  Visit this link and donate.  http://humanrace.kintera.org/wellsforlife

 We’ll take what you give us and turn it into water, life changing water.  I dare you to give and when you do why not give big.  After all giving small helps a few but giving big helps many.

Take a clue from kids in KS and CA, make a difference in the world by giving a few dollars, but since you’re  and adult, why just give money like a kid, give like a grown man or woman and write a big check or input a big number on the Donate Now button.

Your gift is tax deductible and just imagine how many lives you can positively impact with your donation.  I promise, I will turn your money into life saving water.

One final thought, there are a group of men at Lansing Federal Correctional Facility that have turned their lives around and even in prison they are wanting to make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate, specifically in India by providing a dollar here and a dollar there.  Last Fall I had the chance to visit this prison and met these guys and told them firsthand about our work and was amazed to learn that they wanted to be involved.  Knowing that their earnings in prison are minimal and that it would take a long time for them to collectively come up with enough money to fund even 1 water project I decided to commit to them that Wells for Life or one of it donors would match their giving, dollar for dollar so as to get them to their goal of $1,500. 

What I am look for now is someone or a group of people who would be willing to partner with the guys from Lansing and see water come to India on their behalf.  If you would like to help in this regard send your gift with a memo attached stating it’s for the Lansing guys and I will make sure it get’s added with their money.  http://www.wellsforlife.org/get_involved/how-to-give/

 — Michael

           In order to provide and to promote secondary school education at the most backward rural area Infant Jesus High School was started in June 2002 by Millennium Educational and Environmental Trust. As there was no high school of any type within radius of 10Kms from the Village of Maravanur, the school enrollment has increased year after year.

            The school strength for the Academic year 2009-2010 is given below:

              All these students come from more than 40 villages and their parents are daily wages earners or cattle raisers. 42% of them are from Dalit families; 26% of them are from most backward families and the rest are from backward families. Education is freely given to all and we are committed to give quality education and holistic formation to these Children of God.

             Infant Jesus High School is a Tamil Medium School, recognized by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The Government gives free text books to all students, free noon – meal for 340 students and free bus pass for 360 students. Our X standard result is always above 92% and our service at this rural area is well appreciated.

            Water is life we say. Protected drinking water enhances health for all. Pure drinking water is essential for the normal growth and overall development of each student. The school had a bore well which provided water for drinking, Cooking, and washing. The bore well was in school ground and it’s was very near to NH 45. The Government is extending high ways on both sides of road, laying 4 ways which resulted in abolishing of the school bore well. We have lost the school bore well in January 2010 and we are in great trouble in providing water for our school students. At present water is brought from a nearby private well by two women. They carry water on their heads and it does not satisfy our daily requirements. At this context a project is prepared and is submitted for your kind and a favorable consideration.

Our Proposal

            On the facts mentioned above, it has become an immediate and urgent need to dig a bore-well and construct over head tank for our school students. Water source is available at school ground. We have consulted water diviner and an engineer to confirm this and a grant is requested for $6,500.00. It is a one time grant which will make a big difference at school and will help us to solve many problems that we face now.

Our appeal and our Assurance  

            Infant Jesus High School is a Vernacular Medium High School in a hamlet, aiming at the service of the most backward, neglected poor children. Our students hail from very poor families and they manage to come to school because of free education, free test – books and free noon-meal. On behalf of these students I earnestly appeal to you to consider our project proposal favorably. Once the project is sanctioned, we assure you to implement it sincerely and will submit the completion report within three months.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wellsforlife/sets/72157623644570036/

Since I last blogged a lot has happened with Wells for Life, for starters BollywoodH20 took place just last weekend and it was great.  The weather was perfect, thank you God, the food was perfect, except for the fact that there wasn’t any chicken (next year maybe), the dancers were fun to watch and I could go on and on but suffice it to say, it appeared everyone had fun and seeing Indians and non-Indians come together for an afternoon was picture perfect.

As a result of BollywoodH20, were going to be able to fund quite a few water projects in the Trichy area and now more than ever water is needed, the summer season is upon S. India and the heat is increasing and more than ever villagers are going to need access to a reliable and safe water supply and thankfully our projects are going to be able to deliver that peace of mind.

Another exciting event taking place as I type is water being brought at Hope Island.  If you remember I visited this place several months back and their access to water is documented in some photos and video that you can find on our website or on FB.  Previously they were digging shallow wells in the sand and at their request we have implemented 8 new projects which are shallow wells in nature with hand pumps.  What this means now is that the villagers can easily access a safe, protected water supply by simply pumping the hand pump handle.  I am posting a link to these photos which were just sent to me and I hope it produces the same amount of excitement as I experienced when I saw these pictures; water is still life and to be able to give water knowing you are extending life is a joyous thing.

A special thanks goes out to my friend Krissie who has taken up the task of raising funds for Hope Islands water needs and if you want to contribute towards this contact me and I can put you in touch with her.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wellsforlife/sets/72157623644570036/ – link to the photos

Well all good things must come to an end, it’s Spring Break for the kids and Nathan has a cold so I must put down my blogging pen or keystrokes and get back to being a dad.