By Josie Shields-Stromsness | MECA Program Director
This week another water purification and desalination unit was installed at a UN school in Gaza! The funds for the unit were provided by Zam Zam Water. The school has approximately 2000 students attending in two shifts and more than 50 teachers who will also benefit from the unit. Our staff in Gaza report "The school staff and students are very happy and excited to use it!"
Later this month, three additional units will be installed in preschools in Gaza. In response to the electricity crisis in Gaza which leaves most areas with only 3-4 hours of electricity each day meaning the water purification units can't work all day, we have increased the size of the water storage tanks to ensure there is enough drinking water for the children.
Your contributions are being put to use to cover additional unexpected expenses for the new units (like larger storage tanks or additional filters in high salinity areas), hire local staff in Gaza who do regular water quality testing at all the schools and preschools where we have installed units (more than 70 locations!), follow up with engineers on any necessary repairs or maintenance, lead water education workshops for students, and identify locations for new water units.
Amal, an engineer and our Maia Project Coordinator in Gaza, explains the workshops she organizes:
"First we present about water problems in Palestine and specifically in Gaza including the root causes of these problems. We discuss about the results of the water crisis on our health and how can we deal with this problem and conserve water. I also explain why MECA and the different solidarity groups and individuals raise funds to build the purification and desalination units in the schools and kindergarten in Gaza. And then I explain what they can do as students to take care of the units so they continue to provide clean, safe drinking water for years to come. Finally we end with a song written and performed by children from the Peace Choir project that MECA supported about our right to clean water."
By Josie Shields-Stromsness | MECA Program Director
By Josie Shields-Stromsness | Program Director, Middle East Children's Alliance
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