ARTICLE - NJ - 800M GALLONS OF WATER

NJ FOR HAITI GEARS UP TO PROVIDE 80M GALLONS OF WATER
(Defend Haiti) -

ELIZABETH, USA - NJ for Haiti is gearing up to provide 800 million gallons of free, clean water to Haiti for the next 25 years through their new initiative, "Haiti Lives On".

The not-for-profit organization will accomplish this phenomenal feat by distributing four solar powered water purification systems to some of the most densely populated areas in the country including Carrefour, the epicenter of 7.0 earthquake that ravaged the small country. Each system has the ability to produce 30,000 gallons of water per day or 10.5 million gallons per year.

Haiti Lives On will kick off with a benefit concert on Thursday, January 12, 2012, the two-year anniversary of the earthquake. The concert will be held at the Union County Performing Arts Center, Rahway Arts District at7pm, and feature jazz artists from around the world, Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra, and Haitian star BẻlO.

In addition to the performances, NJ for Haiti will honor local non-profits and individuals that have helped to aid Haiti since the earthquake.

“One of the most critical things that the people of Haiti need right now is consistent access to clean water,” stated Stan Neron executive director, NJ for Haiti.

“Imagine if you had to spend your whole day figuring out how and where to get clean water to drink, bathe, and cook with, that is the reality for many Haitian people. By meeting this basic need, cholera and other sicknesses derived from poor water quality could be eradicated.

The quality of life will significantly be improved for thousands of people for many years to come.”

The cost of each water purification system including shipping and set up is about $150,000, for a total fundraising goal of $600,000 for four machines. NJ for Haiti will send out each unit as the funds become available. Approximately $38,000 has been raised by congressman Donald M. Payne (NJ-10) via the Congressional Black Caucus.

The goal is to have all four units shipped within the next two years. The first water purification system is on track to be shipped by Spring 2012 and connected to a water well. Once in place, the purified water will be given out for free each day by Grace Village International ministries which operates a mission on the site.

“I commend NJ for Haiti for joining the world’s largest humanitarian response as a key partner in helping Haiti recover and rebuild after the devastating earthquake two years ago. As a committed supporter of NJ for Haiti, I applaud the Haiti Lives On initiative’s focus on supplying water purification systems to make clean water available for our Haitian brothers and sisters. During my visits to Haiti, I observed first-hand that most Haitians are no better off than in the weeks following the earthquake. Haiti’s high infectivity and death rate caused by the cholera epidemic is unacceptable and unconscionable, so this initiative is the right step toward helping Haiti prevent the next expected waves of cholera from ravaging its communities,” said Congressman Donald M. Payne (NJ-10)

The decision to launch the Haiti Lives On water campaign started after NJ for Haiti’s most recent mission trip to the country. While holding their medical clinic they noticed that most of the patients were suffering from diseases related to contaminated water.

Once, back in the United States, the group decided their next major effort was to provide large quantities of clean water to the country on a consistent basis. After researching the best method, they decided on the Solar Mobile MaxPure system, which had been used effectively in Darfur and was in already in use in some parts of Haiti.

The Mobil MaxPure water purification system, manufactured by WorldWater and Solar Technologies has the capability to produce 30,000 galloons of fresh water each day at a cost of less than one (1) penny per gallon. The mobile, self-powered, off-grid system does not require a connection to the electric grid nor a constant supply of diesel fuel. The unit also provides power to run lights, tools, equipment and sensitive computers and other electronic equipment. The Mobil MaxPure requires very little maintenance and lasts for about 25 years. It should be noted that the machine can purify water from various sources including wells, lakes, and the ocean.

For general information and tickets for Haiti Lives On: The Benefit Concert visit www.ucpac.org. Individuals interested in donating directly to the water purification project can do so by visiting www.nj4haiti.org .