Water

Yesterday I was taking a shower and the water was semi cold. The weather is starting to cool down now and there's nothing like a warm/hot shower to add more pleasure to my life right now. Anyway, while the water felt cold and I tried everything to make the water warmer. From changing the setting to turning on and off the tap...nothing worked so I settled for the temperature I was getting. Before I could overeact I got a reality check and it went something like this....
"At least I have water and it's clean water. Thanks be to God!!! I have nothing to complain about and can only be thankful."

If you can make a donation this holiday season, please remember the "Change 15000 Lives" Campaign and donate today.

You are part of this world and can make changes too

I watched this video today and had to share it. We basically have a choice of how we want to live in this world. You can go on feeling and living like it is what it is and there is nothing that you can do to change things, but really what good is that. On the surface it may seem like you as one person cannot do much on a macro level, however, the little steps that you do will make a difference. The way you behave can also help influence others and become a ripple effect. Please watch this video and take a moment to think about how your way of thinking and living can have life changing results for you and for your legacy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hds3jvjZY-Y

Helping Sustain Feeding Programs for School Children in Liberia

If you're in Vancouver, tomorrow there is a great event happening, which you can be a part of. Raw Canvas, a new art & social lounge, is hosting the Niapele Project's "Paint For Food" fundraiser. http://www.theniapeleproject.org/content/vancouver-event-september-24-2009

Put your giving into action!

Are you helping or hurting others?

I went to a lecture this evening which talked about how you are either helping or hurting people in your life, including your own. I walked away with three key points that I'll share with you.

1. You are a counsellor. You have direct influence on every person that you come into contact with, even someone that you walk past on the street. You are always either helping or hurting. Think about it. If you are driving and you get cut off by someone, you'll either react with a nasty reaction or you'll do something friendly like a nice wave suggesting that you forgive them or you can do nothing. Either way your response/reaction has an influence on that individual and vice versa.

2. Your problems are not your own. I am part of and the product of the larger system of relationships in my life. You need objective guidance to help you get a perspective of what's going on. Also, practice giving responsibility.

3. Evolve Your System

Living with a Godmind(set) you have a connection with everyone. It's all about love in the end. From this lecture tonight, I am going to be more conscious of every moment that I encounter with everyone in my life. There are no neutral moments. We all have an effect on everyone we are in contact with...either positive or negative. I don't know about you, but I want to be the positive in peoples lives. I choose "HELP" over "HURT".

Love and peace upon you and everyone. Thanks for reading!

A Book For All

I recently finished reading a powerful book. It's all about giving and when I finished reading the book guess what I did? I gave it away! The book is called The Power of Giving by Aziz Jamal and Harvey McKinnon. I recommend this book for all. I am more inspired and imagine all will be after this read. There are so many ways to give and it's not all monetary. You can give time and support and love. As a matter of fact people remember more when you share experiences with them and give service. If you have any creative ideas on giving, I'd love to hear them!

Clean Water For Haiti is giving a community access to clean drinking water. Of course, there is a cost involved to be able to do this (hence the fundraising), however it's great to be able to subsidize and empower at the same time.

I saw hard working men and proud families. Seeing smiling faces and improved lives can only give joy to everyone involved.

Give, but only with a joyful heart! You'll feel good when you do and greater things will be in store for you. That's God's promise. I won't challenge that. ;)

Desperately Seeking a Better Life

I read an article today about 85 Haitians that are missing off the coast of Turks & Caicos. Apparently they were on a rickety boat destined for a better future. Turks & Caicos is only about 100 miles from Haiti. That doesn't sound very far, but can you imagine a jam packed boat that's not durable enough to travel that distance and sustain the amount of people on board?

Anyway...I share this story as a reminder to appreciate your life. Be thankful for something today.

Blessings,
Isabel

For more info: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jul/28/boat-carrying-haitian-migrants-capsizes/print

This is Haiti

I'm happy to share this experience with you. Check out these photos. More to come....

Empowering People

I'm not sure if I ever fully explained how Clean Water For Haiti helps improve lives. Yes...they build water filters and provide them for those that need them, however they DO NOT give the filters away. This is very important. Filters are subsidized. They cost about $40USD to produce and that includes the labour and the materials sourced locally. Each family that hears about the water filters and sees the need and its worthiness will purchase a filter for $40 Haitian Dollars, which is about $5 US dollars. Not bad, right! Anyway...the reality is that when one invests into something they have a greater appreciation for it.

I think this is so great! Thanks to you all again for your contribution. We are all helping to empower people. If you haven't donated yet, please find the link on the right side of this page.

Bless You All,

Isabel

More on Haiti

Getting up at 5AM every morning is so easy when the roosters start their wake up calls at 4AM. I'm blogging at 6:30 AM on Saturday morning as I prep myself for a hike not too far from here. We're staying on site of the NGO, Clean Water For Haiti. The operation where they make the biosand filters is on the same property as the dorm we are staying in. Leslie and Cris Rollings have a great system set up here and the employees (all locals) are very good workers. We took a trip with the team to deliver 34 biosand filters on Thursday. What a day that was! Each filter is 160 pounds of concrete cement. Can you imagine how heavy that is? Apparently this is the third generation...each filter used to be 300 pounds. Yikes!

A community leader met us when we arrived and directed our team to each household. The deliveries on Thursday were quite challenging because we were in a village which gets a lot of flooding and flooding has already started in that area, so it was quite mucky in some areas. There is a canal that runs probably about 15km and it is extremely dirty. When I say brown....I really mean brown. This is the communities water source. People were bathing, washing clothes, scooping water to take home, and swimming in this dirty water. I couldn't believe. I mean, I have seen poor, but never this poor in my life.

This entire community should have a water filter. Fortunately NGO's like CWFH are around to help improve people's lives.

We have many pictures, but we don't have the bandwidth to upload video and photos while we are here. We'll upload when we are back in Canada. So you have more to look forward to!

Pierre Payen, HAITI

My visit with Clean Water For Haiti has been one of a kind. Today we delivered 34 biosand water filters to a rural village about 90 minutes away from Pierre Payen. I will report more later. Feeling tired and need to get some z's. Over and out!

IS

Going to Haiti!

I can't believe it...this time next week I'll be in Haiti. Thanks for your continued support. Let's keep up the good work...

Live For Others Not Yourself

I have heard this message before and it came upon me again yesterday. I'd like to share it with you.

What is the secret to a fulfilled life? The World's Answer is to live for yourself. Me Me Me! It's all about Me.

The Biblical Answer is to live for others. Living beyond yourself means doing acts of kindness and servanthood. A life lived beyond myself leads to supernatural blessings and abundance.

Peace be with you always!

Eurasian Minerals Is Sponsoring the Change 15,000 Lives Campaign

Here's the press release:

Eurasian Minerals Becomes Corporate Sponsor Of The Change 15,000 Lives Campaign in Haiti
Wed May 27, 9:14 AM

Company gives cash donation and moral support to campaign and people of Haiti

Vancouver, British Columbia, May 20, 2009 (TSX Venture: EMX.V) Eurasian Minerals Inc. (the "Company" or "EMX") is pleased to announce to be a proud corporate sponsor of “The Change 15,000 Lives” Campaign which will benefit and directly improve the lives of 15,000 people in Haiti. This campaign was spearheaded this year with the goal of raising $50,000 which will build 1250 biosand water filters in Haiti and provide clean drinking water to over 15,000 people.

Campaign organizer Peter J. Kletas states,” We are thrilled to have a company like Eurasian Minerals which has a large stake and interest in Haiti also have a keen interest in improving the lives of Haiti’s people through investing and supporting sustainable, life changing projects”.

The proceeds of the campaign will go directly to Clean Water for Haiti, a volunteer run, faith based missions and humanitarian aide organization that works to provide sustainable solutions to the water crisis in Haiti. www.cleanwaterforhaiti.org

“Eurasian Minerals is thrilled to be part of an effort to improve the lives of the Haitian people by helping provide sustainable water treatment solutions that will provide clean, safe drinking water for so many people who desperately need it”, states Director of Investor Relations, Scott Close.

Haiti is one of the worlds most water impoverished nations and the poorest in the western hemisphere. The Change 15,000 Lives Campaign is about making change, appreciating life and improving the lives of people who are in dire need of help. To learn more about the campaign and to make a donation please visit their official blog: www.change15000lives.blogspot.com

For further information contact:

David M. Cole
President and Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (303) 979-6666
Email: dave@eurasianminerals.com
Website: www.eurasianminerals.com

Peter J. Kletas

Change 15,000 Lives Campaign Organizer

Phone: 403-284-9644 or 866-999-6251 (Toll Free)

Email: peter@pjkandassociates.com

The BMO Vancouver Marathon

Peter J Kletas was a champion as he crossed the finish line. Family and friends cheered him on and sported t-shirts to promote the Change 15,000 Lives Campaign. This was his first full marathon (42.2Km). Peter trained for about 4 months in all weather conditions in Calgary. If you have been following Peter's story, you know that he has a medical condition which requires him to drink a lot of water. Water is vital and without it we don't have life. Check out the picture I took of Peter and Benard, the winner of the Marathon! Peter knew he was going to win. Nice work guys!

Should The World Eliminate Bottled Water?

The Vancouver City Council has proposed a ban of bottled water for staff at city functions and at city concession stands. This is obviously an environmental initiative. People are posting all kinds of comments about this online and on the radio this morning (The Beat) they joked about having to buy soda pop over water at the PNE (Vancouver's summer playground). Some say this change will have very little impact on reducing cost on the environment. What do you think? I think the city is trying to take whatever steps possible. The tap water in Vancouver is clean, safe, and we can drink it! Many in other countries would look at us and imagine our tap water as a luxury. Here we are used to having bottled water and now facing the challenge of eliminating it.

Happy Earth Day! Go Do Something Green.

It's a beautiful day today and it's wonderful that we have a day devoted to recognizing what it means to be nicer to our Earth. What are you going to do today? I'm going to make a donation to a green cause. OH.....Starbucks is giving away a free cup of coffee if you bring in your own mug. I might do that too! If you know of anything else happening around your town, please share it.

Happy Earth Day! Go Do Something Green.

Marathon Training Video for the Change 15,000 Lives Campaign!

Peter J. Kletas is the initiator of the Change 15,000 Lives Campaign for Clean Water For Haiti. He's training in all weather conditions in Calgary. If you know Calgary, Alberta you know that the weather is forever changing in the winter. Freezing freezing cold, lots of snow, and the sun comes out almost every single day. Calgarians, correct me if I'm wrong! Ha....

I couldn't imagine training for a marathon, how about you? The most I have done is 10K. Peter is determined and is motivated by all of the lives we're going to support. Check out the training video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSWwdcDBw_c

Hugh Jackman is Giving Away $100,000

Twitter is so cool. The actor, Hugh Jackman and Ryan Seacrest are pushing a really cool contest for charity right now. Have a look at they're doing on their twitter pages. This is your chance to have your favorite charity win $100,000. All you have to do is say why??? Good Luck! I sent a comment about Clean Water For Haiti!

An article I read this morning...

University of Winnipeg first in Canada to ban sale of bottled water on campus

Mon Mar 23, 5:19 PM

By Chinta Puxley, The Canadian Press

WINNIPEG - The University of Winnipeg says it is taking a stand against water for profit as well as plastic containers that end up in landfills by becoming the first campus in Canada to ban bottled water sales.

The decision announced Monday follows a referendum last week in which three-quarters of students who voted said they were in favour of ditching the 38,000 bottles of water sold on the downtown campus each year.

The University of Washington was the first to ban bottled water sales in the United States and Winnipeg students say they are now blazing the same trail in Canada.

The bottled water industry argues bans simply drive students to buy unhealthy drinks. But Lloyd Axworthy, president of the Winnipeg university, said the ban is part of a growing global awareness about the importance of accessible water.

"We're talking about 35,000 bottles that would be saved from going into landfills, which is a substantial contribution," Axworthy said in an interview. "It also draws attention to the fact that fresh water from taps is something that can be utilized and we encourage the use of tap water as a safe way of drinking."

Bottled water is to be phased out from campus cafeterias and vending machines over the next few months, while the university installs more water fountains for thirsty students. An audit of the water system will ensure tap water is safe.

Every first-year student will also get a free, reusable water bottle when they begin classes in the fall, said student president Vinay Iyer.

"Water should not be commodified," Iyer said. "Water is a basic right and it should be free. Bottled water has really undermined public faith in public water. Public water is absolutely safe, clean and healthy."

Where municipal water is tested daily - often every few hours - for contaminants, some bottled water plants are only inspected every three years, Iyer pointed out.

But beyond those concerns, bottled water is a multibillion-dollar industry which is hurting the environment, he added. Only 12 per cent of plastic bottles are recycled, Iyer said.

"The rest of the bottles end up in places where they don't belong like landfills and oceans. We're letting students know that bottled water is just a fad and tap water is very, very safe."

Elizabeth Griswold, executive director of the Canadian Bottled Water Association, said a ban is not the way to go. Universities are "closed communities" and restricting water sales will only force students to buy sugary drinks still on offer, she said.

"Bottled water is not a competitor to tap water," she said. "Our competition is other packaged beverages."

Bottled water is being vilified because people don't like the plastic packaging, Griswold said. That is less of an issue when there is good recycling, she said.

"Bottled water is the easy target."

Still, some experts say bottled water is a completely unnecessary and wasteful extravagance in most communities where tap water is clean and safe. William Rees, professor at the University of British Columbia's school of community and regional planning, said people have been "conned" into thinking that tap water isn't pure.

"It's ridiculous when you think about it," he said. "Water, which comes to us freely and pure from rain, requires minimal processing and treatment to make it potable.

"And we're willing to pay a dollar or two for a half-a-litre ... People like it for its convenience. I say, get yourself a stainless steel jug and get it out of the tap."

World Water Day Walk

The World Water Day walk in Vancouver was a success. We had about 50 people walking as a group with signs to help build awareness for the water crisis in this world. As you know, I am working on a campaign to "Change 15,000 Lives" in Haiti. There are 5 million people in Haiti that do not have access to clean and safe drinking water. We're taking small steps to make a difference. Thanks for reading!

Run, walk and hike @ StepWhere.com

World Water Day Walk

Run, walk and hike @ StepWhere.com

World Water Day Walk in Vancouver BC

Hello Friends and Philanthropists!

World Water Day is March 22nd! A walk is being planned to represent the distance that many children and parents have to do to get their water every day. We're planning an exciting initiative and hope that you can join us! More details to come.

Thanks,
Isabel

VIDEOS

http://www.cleanwaterforhaiti.org/Design/HTML/multimedia.html

Let's Change 15,000 Lives

Together We Can Change 15,000 LIVES

I’d like to introduce you to an organization called Clean Water For Haiti.org. This year, you can help raise $50,000 that will change 15,000 lives in Haiti. The goal is to raise awareness and to help improve the lives of men, women, and children living in Haiti. I am calling you to participate in this campaign. Our goal is to provide Biosand water filters to over 1250 homes, in which over 15,000 people will benefit from and live happier and healthier lives. God has called us to serve. This is a great way to make a difference in 2009. Yes the economy is in a slump, however we are still blessed and can bless others.

Let's change 15,000 Lives!

DONATE: http://www.cleanwaterforhaiti.org/Design/HTML/donate.html
Please make a note that your donation is for "Change 15,000 Lives Run"