Tayek Seua Village is in southern Laos, in the Paksong District of Champasack Province and is part of the project area for the TerraCare Program. Located several km off of the main paved road, Tayek Seua is surrounded by rolling hills and lush vegetation and is only accessible by bumpy dirt roads. On Dec 1, TerraCare met with members of the village, including the village leader. The program consisted of an introduction explaining clean water, what it is, why it is important for health, and how to make sure one’s family has access to clean drinking water. While many families in southern Laos have a basic understanding of why clean water is important, most families have not been taught about the real dangers of drinking contaminated water. Diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, and bacterial diarrhea can cause serious illness and even death. Contaminated drinking water can also contain parasites that cause malnutrition and sap the victim’s energy, decreasing digestion for people already at risk of malnutrition. Clean water is not just safer, it is life giving and life saving.
The TerraCare program is part of the regular sales promotion of TerraClear filters: filters which are made locally in our factory in southern Laos. However, the TerraCare program has one important difference. TerraCare provides a subsidy to make sure that everyone can have access to clean drinking water. Providing a subsidy of $40 per filter, the TerraCare program provides access to clean drinking water filters for the poorest of the poor. Paying only $5, the recipients of the TerraCare program receive a TerraClear filter as well as 6 individual trainings. These trainings teach about clean drinking water, the importance of toilets, and the benefits and practice of handwashing for continued health.
The villagers of Tayek Seua were delighted to gather together to learn how to keep their families safe and healthy. The village chief said, “No organization has come to train our community before to teach us and bring us a special promotion. This is a great honor for us to learn about clean water and get water filters in our homes.” After the presentation, 13 qualifying villagers came to sign up for the TerraCare program and to receive a TerraClear filter for their own home. 11 more families are interested and have asked us to return to teach them more. Clean water has come to Tayek Seua!
If you would like to be part of the team of supporters who make this program possible, please consider donating the subsidy for a half of a filter ($20), a whole filter for a family ($40), or more to provide for multiple families. Make a difference! Help bring clean water to the poor of southern Laos! Learn more about the program on the Donate Page, by Contacting Us or donating directly with our partner.
