Gleaning Sending LifeStraws to Myanmar
posted 11:36 pm Fri May 23, 2008 - Concord, VA
reporter:
Manuel Quinones
posted by:
Webteam
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Millions of cyclone victims in Myanmar may finally get the help they need - three weeks after the deadly storm. The country's government has now agreed to allow international aid workers in. There are reports that millions have received nothing and others, just a half-cup of rice per day.
Gleaning for the World (web) has already sent supplies. Now, they're getting ready to ship 5,000 "LifeStraws"... designed to purify water. We tried one out. The manufacturer says this stick can remove 99-percent of viruses and more than 99-percent of bacteria in water. Gleaning says it will make all the difference.
There many be plenty of water around. The problem is that it's not safe to drink. In fact it can be outright deadly.
Ismael LaBiosa, Gleaning For The World - "They don't have any good water to drink to stay alive. This will help them save their lives."
And it's supposed to be relatively easy. We put it to the test. All you have to do is find water, stick the straw in and drink. LifeStraw will filter it for you.
LaBiosa - "So these straws will be coming in very handy for these people. Diseases are starting to spread."
Not only are these straws efficient but also long lasting. One of them can filter a minimum of 700 liters (185 gallons) of water.
LaBiosa - "So if one straw end with one family it will last for a few months, if one person were to use it, it could last about a year."
That will be indispensable in a place where many are forced to live on whatever water they can find.
LaBiosa - "Mud puddles, contaminated water. This thing is built to filter out any kind of trash that comes through it."
The LifeStraws costs Gleaning $10 each. Gleaning says they are more effective and cheaper than sending shipments of bottled water. We're told you won't be able to buy these in the US. They're meant to help people without access to clean drinking water.
If you'd like to donate to Gleaning, here is their address:
Gleaning For The World
PO Box 645
Concord, VA 24538.
Click here to go to the Gleaning website.
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