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35,000 PEOPLE IMPACTED IN THE Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao!

October 22, 2009 / Leave a comment

A Single Drop for SafeWater attended a celebration of Governance symposium hosted by the Local Governance Support Program in the ARMM Provinces in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as they honored LGU accomplishments as a result of their programs. Seven municipalities were in attendance and eighteen awards were given to LGUs who transformed in the areas of governance, economic development, gender and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). It was announced that over 7000 households, about 35,000 people were impacted by ASDSWs trainings!

ASDSW was key in the LGSPA WASH Program by collaborating in the development of an innovative WASH Program to assist LGUs to assess their own needs and design efficient municipal wide WASH plans by strengthening local NGOs and Government organizations. ASDSW conducted trainings to support MWTFs, WSAs, and local NGOs to conduct WASH Trainings, implement various appropriate technologies. ASDSWs goal was to create Regional PODS which are local organizations which can build the capacity of local communities to implement sustainable water projects.

What they said about WASH:

the WASH process works by helping LGUs identify their needs and make plans that can actually be sustained
setting up the mechanisms to support the coordination of Municipal WASH Task Force (MWTF) and Water Sanitation Associations (WSAs) for long term management
strengthening local NGOs to be implementing organizations working in collaboration with MWTF and WSA

Two municipalities who were the recipients of ASDSW workshops were recognized

Kabuntalan – This LGU was recognized after they changed from desire to build a level III water system (water piped into homes) to a dugwell protection and sanitation toilet construction project. After attending the WASH Analysis and Planning Workshops and ASDSWs technology trainings, the LGU made a more efficient plan
Sultan Kudarat – This LGU had initially learned the BioSand Filter and after attending the WASH Analysis Planning and ASDSWs technology trainings, they also began to offer the service of building toilets and have been selling both toilets and BSFs.

Other great outcomes

Dimampao – This group was trained to build BioSand Filters by a local PODS that ASD created in Datu Abdullah Sangki. They have since sold 200 filters including 25 to the Governer! They’ve since earned enough money to buy a tric!
Act for Peace – an NGO were commissioned to conduct WASH Analysis and Planning after being trained by ASDSW in Kadtabanga. After the workshop, Kadtabanga initially wanted to build a Level II water system (water piped to community tapstands) but decided to do dugwell improvement and toilets instead!

The BEST News! Kevin Lee and Noraida Chio of ASDSW were key contributors to the LGSPA published “WASH Field Guide: The Governance Approach to Delivery of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene”. Download a copy here.

Congratulations! Gemma WINS the Ernst Young/Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award!

October 17, 2009 / Leave a comment

Congratuations to Gemma Bulos, Founder of A Single Drop, the winner of the Ernst Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award in partnership with Schwab Foundation in the Philippines! The gala event that was held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati will be featured on ASN News on ABS/CBN in the Philippines and all over the world whereever the Filipino Channel is offered! Pinky Webb, Co-Anchor of Dateline Philippines hosted, celebrated Jazz musician Richard Poon performed and Mrs Socorro C Ramos, Founder of National Bookstore and Entrepreneur of the Year 2004 gave the Keynote.

The Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Special will air on ANC this Saturday, 24 October at 7:30pm. there will also be a replay on 25 October, 10:30p.

The special will also be plugged on the following dates and times:22 October – Business Nightly 9pm, The World Tonight 10pm

23 October – Prime News 7pm, CNBC’s cash Flow 11am

24 October – Dateline Philippines 12noon, Eye on your week with ANC 5pm

25 October – Strictly Politics 9am, Executive Class 8pm

Read a cover story in the national Business World magazine!

Sponsors of the event include Ernst Young, SGV Foundation, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, SAP Philippines, Nissan Universal Motors Corporation, William J Shaw Foundation, ABS-CBN News Channel, Business World, KLM Airlines, Globe Business.

Banquet Sponsors: Philex Mining Corporation, Victorinox.

Co-Presenters: Ateneo Graduate School of Business, Department of Trade and Industry, Development Bank of the Philippines, The Philippine Business for Social Progress, The Philippine Stock Exchange

ASDSW Staff with Former President Ramos

Other Ernst Young WINNERS! (From L to R) Eduarda V. Ayo, E.V. Ayo Enterprises, Small Business; Salvador Veluz, Buddy’s Pizza and Restaurant (Industry specific); Gemma Bulos, A Single Drop for Safe Water (Social Entrepreneur); Ambassador Jesus Tambunting, Planters Development Bank (Master, Entrepreneur of the Year); Corazon Ong, CDO Foodspere, Inc (Women Entrepreneur); Kenneth Cobonpue, Interior Crafts of the Islands, Inc; (not pictured, Antonio Tiu, Agrinurture, Inc)

Gemma, Vivian Gee (Schwab Foundation), Meg (ASDSW office manager), Julita Bulos (Gemma’s mom)

Gemma, Ricky Reyes (Finalist), Mrs Ramos, Former President Ramos

President Ramos and Gemma have a laugh!

Trophies for being the Winner and Finalist! Plaque from SAP Business as a recipient of Business One Software for being a Finalist!

(BELOW) ASDSW Staff! From L to R – Jun Nicolasora, Noraido Chio, Grace Sescon, Gemma, Kevin Lee (Executive Director), Meg Obligar.

Delawarove

ASDSW opens a Satellite Office in Cotabato City!

October 14, 2009 / 3 Comments on ASDSW opens a Satellite Office in Cotabato City!

ASDSW has been working in the ARMM Provinces for the past 3 years where we have seen significant impact and transformation. One of our main programs was in partnership with LGSPA (Local Governance Support Program in ARMM) to develop the WASH Inventory and Analysis Workshop and to strengthen the capacity of Municipal WASH Task Force (MWTF), the Water Sanitation Associations (WSAs) and local NGOs to be able to create effective WASH Plans to address the water and sanitation needs of their communities.

ASDSWs permanent presence in the ARMM is a commitment to continue to support the expansion of this program as well as work with other communities not within the program. ASDSW also partners with OXFAM, Church of the Latter Day Saints and the International Red Cross focusing on emergency evacuation regions and strengthening emergency preparedness, response and rehabilitation.

Dupak .

Portable Microbiology in the Field

March 10, 2009 / Leave a comment

Lupang Pangako, Zambales

Lupang Pangako is the final relocation site for the Aeta People of Belbel who have been displaced from their original homes made uninhabitable by the eruption of Mt Pinatubo in 1991. A Single Drop for SafeWater conducted a PODS training to create a community-based water organization to rehabilitate and maintain an existing deep well to pump water to tapstands around the community to provide better access to clean water.

ASD introduced the PML to the Lupang Pungako PODS so they can use the tests to test their various sources of water. ASD and the PODS went around the community testing water from water holes, rivers and the tap stands from the rehabilitated water system. To also support WASH Education, we also tested different circumstances where water can be recontaminated, e.g. storage containers, water transport, etc…

The Portable Microbiology Lab enables local people to test their water without expensive equipment or labs. Access to these tests have been a significant factor in providing proof that water is either contaminated or safe.

The power of this information strengthens hygiene education and promotes proper hygiene practices.

Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)

The Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao is one of the poorest regions in the Philippines. ASDSW works with the local Water Service Associations, Municipal Water Task Forces and Community Service Organizations to provide them with the tools and outreach strategies to educate the community about their water. Here are some of the members testing their water!

And the results are in……three (3) out of the four (4) major water sources are contaminated. whew!!! Now the community knows which water sources are contaminated and just how dirty they are. This is the first step towards behavior change and implementation of viable interventions!

Portable Water Testing Training with Dr Robert Metcalf

January 31, 2009 / Leave a comment

A Single Drop for SafeWater had the pleasure of hosting Dr Robert Metcalf, the developer of the Portable Microbiology Lab. ASDSW staff learned attended a Trainer’s Training for the PML and are currently the only certified PML Trainers and Distributors in the country.

Dr Metcalf has introduced the PML in East Africa and ASD in partnership with Crabgrass and Women’s Earth Alliance for the African Women and Water Conference introduced it to our women participants from seven countries in Africa.

First BioSand Filter in the Philippines

January 13, 2009 / Leave a comment

Here’s a picture of the first BioSand Filter ever installed in the Philippines. It was a training with A Single Drop and CAWST for Plan International in Catbalogan, Samar. This filter was installed on an island Barangay called Daram in June 2006.