Did you know that more people die from polluted water every year than from all forms of violence, including war? That's what the UN reported a few days ago, in a study titled "Sick Water." What can we do about it? One thing I am doing is spreading the word of the Potters for Peace water filter project.
In the 1990's I had the great good fortune to do volunteer work in an earlier stage of this project in Nicaragua and Guatemala, guided by the late Ron Rivera, former International Coordinator of Potters for Peace.
I even presented a paper (with much help from people who know far more than me) about this water filter at an NSF conference.
This water filter is amazing. It was invented by the Guatemalan chemist Fernando Mazariegos. Ron Rivera often called the filter a weapon of bacterial mass destruction. It kills almost 100% of the microbes in polluted water. The filter is made by local potters in Third World countries, trained by Potters for Peace, using sustainable technology and mostly local materials. The only imported material is the colloidal silver solution from Mexico which impregnates the porous clay filter.
The filter looks kind of like a clay flowerpot, but without the hole in the bottom. The filter goes inside a receptacle. The Red Cross uses five-gallon plastic buckets with a lid and a spigot as the receptacle when they distribute this filter in refugee camps. Some people use a handmade clay receptacle that keeps the filtered water cool with natural capillary action.
A lot of my friends in North America ask me where can they can buy one of these filters. Ron taught me that in North America there are so many different types of effective water filters readily available, that PFP is not focusing on working there. The focus is in Third World countries where children are dying everyday from drinking polluted water and there are no water filters available. Potters for Peace does not make or distribute filters. PFP goes to Third World countries and trains potters to make the filters and partner with health-related organizations to distribute the filters. The filter goes by the brand name Filtrón.
.jpg?t=20120527181101)
Article comments
1 - Mark
Another valuable read. Thanks, Lynette.
2 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you, Mark, for taking the time to read my article and to post your comment. I appreciate you.
3 - Ruvy
Yet another valuable article, Lynette. This is much more informative and helpful than all the garbage on Obama-care.
4 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you, Ruvy. Your praise means a lot to me. It encourages me to dig deeper and keep improving.
5 - Michael Heralda
Good article Lynette. I remember you mentioning Potters for peace years ago. This is a classic case of just doing the right thing when you see the need and make the effort to do something about it. I applaud "Potters for Peace" and their work! Keep writing.
6 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you, Michael! Yes, I will keep writing. :) And I applaud you and your work with Aztec Stories.
7 - John Wilson
Good article.
8 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you, John!
9 - Scott Deitche
As stated above, one of the better and more important articles in this section in a very long time.
10 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Wow. Scott. Thank you so much for your encouragement.
11 - leeann
what an inspiring article im only 11 and want to do better already
12 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Yay Leeann! You can change the world! Every day focus on whatever you are doing, and do it with your whole heart, as best as you can. That's all there is to it - one small step at a time, starting right now where you are. Please keep in touch!
13 - Andy
Yes Sure, another great work Lynette, I really appreciate it.....
14 - Lynette Yetter, author of the novel, Lucy Plays Panpipes for Peace
Thank you, Andy, for your encouragement, and for sharing this information about colloidal silver.
15 - Mark
hi