In March, 10 needy families (over 40 people) in Dacheung District got subsidized filters. These families live in the village of Nam Ngon Neua, in one of the most rural and difficult to access parts of southern Laos. High in the mountains, Nam Ngon Neua Village sits at the end of a dirt track which is very difficult to access, especially carrying water filters. Using a TerraClear truck, the team was still not able to reach the village as the road really became mountainous and steep. The last few kilometers were reached by walking, then renting a local tractor to come and retrieve the filters for the villagers.
In Nam Ngon Neua village, the water the families use comes from mountain streams that are diverted to the village. Called “nam lin” or “playing water”, the villagers are happy to have water that comes to them rather than having to hike to the river or stream to get water for washing, cooking, and drinking. However, the “nam lin” water is not clean. Upstream contamination comes from other villages who practice open defecation, animal waste which is disposed of near water, and other contaminants. Even rural families suffer daily from stomach ailments that result from drinking contaminated water.
Along with their new filters, the 10 needy families got their first training about health and sanitation. They listened as they learned how the “nam lin” water is contaminated and causes stomach ailments. They learned that the filter cleans these contaminants, providing water they can drink directly and do not need to boil. They learned how to care for their filters and how to get ahold of the TerraClear representatives in case of questions in the future. Over the next 6 months, these families will have 3 more lessons in health and hygiene. They will learn about handwashing and the dangers of open defecation, allowing them to also gain the knowledge and motivation to wash their hands regularly and to possibly build a dry pit latrine for their families. In addition to clean water, these families gain knowledge and skills to further improve their family’s health!
