2006 Summary of Activities
• Training of Trainers Strategy Bears Fruit. From January to October 2006, Lifewater sent fifty Volunteer Trainers, Lifewater staff members, and board members to train partners in nine countries: Kenya, Togo, Indonesia, Ecuador, Uganda, China, Ethiopia, Zambia, and the Philippines. Nationals from eighteen partner organizations were trained in Community Health through Hygiene, Hand Pump Repair, Sanitation, Biosand Filtration, and Well Drilling. These individuals are now traveling to rural communities to share their lifesaving knowledge and skills with those who need it most. The installation of hundreds of wells, hand pumps, biosand filters, and latrines, together with the knowledge of how to use and maintain this equipment in a way that prevents the spread of disease, is saving thousands of lives. Look a detailed report on the effect of Lifewater and our partners’ work in next spring’s 2006 annual report.”

• Africa Partners Conference Encourages Leaders in the Fight Against Africa’s Water and Sanitation Crisis. In June, Lifewater hosted its 2006 Africa Partners Conference in Zambia. Twenty-six representatives of twelve partner organizations gathered for water development training and fellowship. Training topics included methods for working effectively with communities, conflict resolution, fundraising, reporting, ministry outreach, Biosand filtration, and sanitation promotion. Participants responded enthusiastically to the Conference, noting that they would return home with new skills and strategies and a renewed sense of purpose.

• Biosand Filtration Training Program Grows in Africa. Africa Partners Conference participants expressed great enthusiasm for Biosand filtration as a means of purifying water. Eight partners requested the training in the simple, cost-effective technology that utilizes a concrete vessel with layers of sand and gravel. Since the beginning of the year, Lifewater volunteers have trained five crews in Biosand filtration: three in Uganda, one in Kenya, and one in Zambia.

• Demand for Sanitation Training Increases. Lifewater partners continued to express interest in Lifewater’s new sanitation training program. Lifewater tested part of its new sanitation curriculum in a sanitation promotion workshop in Zambia following the Africa Partners Conference. In November, Lifewater held a sanitation training to begin equipping Volunteer Trainers to respond to partners’ requests for training in this crucial component of community health.

• Community Health through Hygiene Training Equips Trainers. In the United States, thirty-seven Volunteer Trainers and representatives of other organizations received training in Community Health through Hygiene.

• Curriculum Development Project Progresses. Lifewater staff made significant progress toward producing professional quality training manuals for its training programs through the Curriculum Development Project.

• New Staff Members Join the Lifewater Team. Responding to growing capacity, Lifewater welcomed a Development Director, Communications Director, West Africa Project Coordinator, Hygiene & Sanitation Assistant, Accountant, and Executive Assistant. Lifewater also moved to a larger office in San Luis Obispo to accommodate the growing staff.

• Open House Weekend Inspires Local Interest. In August, Lifewater hosted a 2006 Open House Weekend at its headquarters in San Luis Obispo, California. Over two hundred people gathered to learn more about Lifewater through presentations, workshops, and fellowship.

Lifewater is excited about progress made this year. We are confident that this year’s work and growth enables us to more effectively be part of the solution to the water and sanitation crisis that threatens the lives of millions in our world. As Lifewater responds with training programs in water development, hygiene, and sanitation, we are grateful for the volunteers who continually give of their time and resources to make a difference in the world. We also thank you for your prayers and financial support—for being part of the work toward a world where everyone has access to safe water, improved health, and the knowledge of Christ’s love.