Project Report
| Feb 29, 2024
Clean water for displaced families
By Josina Shields-Stromsness | MECA Program Director
![Filling up clean water for displaced families]()
Filling up clean water for displaced families
During these unprecedented Israeli attacks on Gaza, your donations are continuing to provide safe, clean drinking water to displaced families. Clean water was already in short supply in Gaza but with so much infrastructure damaged and around 85% of the population displaced, children and families are struggling to get enough clean water to survive.
Here's how our work has shifted during this emergency to continue to do what we can to ensure this fundamental right for children and families in Gaza:
- Some of our Maia units continue to work with solar power or fuel provided by UNRWA
- We have bought and distributed water bottles when they are available. This month we received in-kind donations of water from our partner the World Central Kitchen to distribute to displaced families in Rafah.
- We have worked with local companies that have large solar-powered water purification units to deliver trucks of clean water to families in Rafah, Khan Younis and Gaza city. To date we have provided 703,012 gallons of clean drinking water.
- We have built a new solar-powered water purification unit in Mawasi where tens of thousands of families are seeking shelter
With your support, we will continue this critical work.
![A new Maia unit built in Gaza provides clean water]()
A new Maia unit built in Gaza provides clean water
![Even in Gaza City, we are getting clean water]()
Even in Gaza City, we are getting clean water
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Jul 20, 2023
Safe drinking water during the hot summer in Gaza
By Josina Shields-Stromsness | MECA Program Director
![Girls cool off & hydrate at summer camp]()
Girls cool off & hydrate at summer camp
Thank you for your support of the Maia Project which provides safe, clean drinking water to tens of thousands of Palestinian children in Gaza each and every day. During the hot summer months, schools are closed, but our units continue to provide safe clean drinking water during summer camps and to families living in the surrounding neighborhoods.
As temperatures reach the 90s this month (30s in celcius), these Maia units are critical to keeping children hydrated and healthy.
Last week, our Maia Project coordinator sent photos from a newly installed unit in Khan Younis which will serve a women's community center and kindergarten as well as families in the neighborhood and from a kindergarten in Khuza'a village where 100 girls are learning to play sports and getting mental health support. Each unit we build for the Maia Project provides safe, clean water for years thanks to the regular testing and maintenance work.
Thank you for your support of this project which allows children in Gaza to access their basic right to water!
![A new Maia unit is installed in Khan Younis, Gaza]()
A new Maia unit is installed in Khan Younis, Gaza
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Mar 22, 2023
Clean water, clean energy
By Josina Shields-Stromsness | MECA Program Director
![Girls in Gaza drinking clean water]()
Girls in Gaza drinking clean water
Along with the worsening water crisis in Gaza, where 97% of water is polluted, we are now facing more challenges due to electricity to operate the water purification & desalination units. This year we have installed 3 new Maia units powered by solar energy! These units are hosted in kindergartens in different areas of Gaza where they only get electricity a few hours a day. The solar panels ensures the water purifucation units operate well and also provide power for the lights in the classrooms. In each location, we have also provided large water bottles for families in the neighborhood to come fill up clean drinking water to take home.
"The Maia unit met the children’s need to drink clean water because there was no available source of drinking water in the kindergarten, previously children would leave kindergarten thirsty. All thanks, respect and appreciation to those in charge of this project.” –Kefah, principal of the Tufulti kindergarten
![Solar panels on the roof of one kindergarten]()
Solar panels on the roof of one kindergarten
![Children enjoying clean drinking water]()
Children enjoying clean drinking water
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