Cup of Hope International

BIOSAND FILTER WORKSHOP MAY 15

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 21:57:00 +0000

Cup of Hope International
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1015 9th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631 (970)381-7999 ) www.cupofhope.info

BIOSAND FILTER WORKSHOP
MAY 15, 2010
9 am - 4 pm
1015 9TH AVENUE
GREELEY, CO 80631

CALL: 970-381-7999 to register
$50 Donation to “Cup of Hope International”
Please register by May 10, 2010

Who should come?
Mission Trip Participants Business Organizations
Students, Leaders, Citizens, Everyone!
Topics to Be Discussed:
The global problem of access to clean water
Health, hygiene and sanitation issues worldwide
Simple low-technology solutions to water filtration
Water issues around the world
How to get involved in this or other projects

Morning Session: 9 am - 11:45 am
The World-Wide Water Crisis - Presentations, Discussions & Solutions
Lunch Together at “The Ranch” - (Buy your own) Noon - 1:00 pm
Afternoon Session: 1: 15 pm - 4:00 pm
Hands-On Construction of a Biosand Water Filter
(Bring work clothes and work shoes)

PROBLEM: THESE CHILDREN
IN CAMBODIA MUDDY BROWN WATER!
IS THERE A SOLUTION?
ARE YOU PART OF THE SOLUTION?

Well-Drilling Repairs Grind to a (Temporary) Halt

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 22:41:00 +0000

It really is difficult to accomplish things from half-way around the world! One of the frustrations of being "part-time" workers in the field!

We have a report that the repairs on the drilling rig in Phnom Penh have come to a halt again, but we pray that it is only temporary.

We apologize to all you donors who have been expecting glowing reports about the success of this project - and eventually we WILL be able to give you the whole story of the villagers receiving their wells.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the mechanics working on the rig at the Foursquare Orphan Home have been sent to other jobs, such as the rice mill and emergency tractor repairs.

The rainy season begins in a few weeks, so we are praying that the wells are dug soon.

Maybe April. Please stay in contact on this blog, and we'll keep you updated!

A New Project

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:01:00 +0000

1 - Mike and Dr. Kim inspect the future Surgery Department.

2 - Hebron International Hospital under construction .

3 - Pharmacy staff at HIH sort the 100 pounds of medicines we hand-carried from Greeley.

Cup of Hope International has been invited to provide training and support in biosand filter manufacture and hygiene/sanitation issues for the new Hebron International Hospital, now under construction in the west suburbs of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This training could be scheduled as early as next fall.

The entire medical staff will receive the training before they are sent back to their respective provinces to begin health care in their home towns. In addition to being the primary health care providers, the medical teams will implement the use of biosand filters and ceramic water filters in their communities, and monitor the necessary education in hygiene and sanitation.

We are honored to be a part of the solution to the serious health needs of the Cambodian people.

The Well Project

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:51:00 +0000

The rainy season in Cambodia will start in about a month. April through August it is typically very hot and rainy! The rainy season is not a good time to drill a well.

We are praying very hard that our well project is finished before the start of the rainy season. Only a few little glitches remain before the project can get going. Pray that Bob and his team will be able to head up north very soon.

Mike and Barb Home - Well Project on the Way

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 21:42:00 +0000

Mike and Barb got back to Colorado on Thursday, 2/25, after 28.5-hours of flying and layovers!

We were sorry we had to leave before the wells in the villages were started, but the drilling machine was operating when we left. Only a few more repairs to a compressor and the drilling team should be on its way north of Siem Reap to drill at least two wells.

The village chiefs are looking forward to having new sources of water for their people, some of whom have absolutely no water in this dry season, other than what they can afford to buy! We visited some of the 40 families in one village who don't even have water to wash their clothes. They greeted us with great interest and huge smiles, as we all picked out the actual spot where their well will be. One of the young men who lives closest to the site will be the overseer and protector of the well.

Chief Vorn Savet held up a bottle full of clear water from his own biosand filter, and explained to the group that they would soon have clean water from a new well, filtered through their own biosand filters that he would sell to them at a cheap price.

The exciting thing is that Mr. Savet continually shares how he has not been sick for four months, since drinking only the water from his own biosand filter. He will be a great advocate for clean water, not only to his village, but to the surrounding villages as well.

Pray for this project to be finished this month, before the rainy season starts and wells cannot be drilled.

We plan to return in a few months to encourage the villagers and to check on the wells!

Well Project Looks Good!

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:19:00 +0000

Today we visited the two villages again. Mr. Savet, chief of Village #1 (Khnar Ptol), took us to the future site of a new well, which we will drill the first week of March. This is where the 40 families that live there have no access to water during the dry season, which is now. They must buy their water, and all are extremely poor. They don't even have enough water to wash their clothes.

Mr. Savet introduced us to the families that live very close to the well site. We stood in the hot sun, explaining that God loves them very much and wants them to have good water and healthy lives. Everyone was very interested and listened carefully as our driver translated for us. Mr. Savet is excited that he will be able to provide them with water filters in their homes after the well is ready, so that they will all feel better.

We are still working out the details for the well site in village #2 (Trapaing Krasang). Hopefully it will be at the school, so that all the families in the area will have the use of the well, and especially the 350+ children that attend every day. It is obvious that the economy has suffered in this area and even the school seems to have suffered. The children and teachers don't seem as healthy as last year, so we are praying that the well and filtered water will make a big difference in their lives.

Visit to Villages Projects

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 09:27:00 +0000

Had an interesting and successful trip to our villages in northern Siem Reap province on Saturday, February 13. We traveled with 3 of our Cambodian staff from Cup of Hope: Doun, his wife Khuem, and Chan Leap, our Administrator.

Mr. Savet, Village Chief of Khnar Toul, has made and sold 38 filters, and is excited to make this his primary business. He needs more training materials on how to use and maintain the filters, so the villagers will understand their operation. The filter at his house is working well, and he reports that he has been free of illness for the past three months. He told us that he often would be so sick he couldn't work, and he now believes the filtered water is the answer to his health!

Our visit to the second village of Trapeng Krasang was more disappointing. The leaders are not very interested in promoting the filters to their people, and have lots of excuses why they are too hard to use. However, the chief of the first village is willing to try to sell the filters to the second village, and will help promote and train anyone who is wants to try one of them.

We were saddened to see how much smoke was filling the air during our time here. The jungle and forest is being methodically burned off, to make room for fields, and the many 200-ft. trees lay smoldering on the ground. The acrid air gave us all sore thoats.

We took a side trip to the Thai border about 20 kilometers away, and visited the area where the Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot and his generals lived their last days. Eerie to be at the site of the actual border crossing where Thai soldiers took Cambodians from the refugee camps in Thailand back across the border and shot them. Now the little town is back to normal, and people seem to be happy and going about their daily tasks. It is a beautiful mountainous area, similar to the foothills of Colorado.

Cup of Hope will be drilling two additional wells in the villages, since there is little access to water at all during the dry season. The well-drilling rig in Phnom Penh, is still being repaired, and may not be ready while we are here. We assured the chiefs in the villages that they would have the wells soon, and they are patiently waiting.

Donating these wells, through the generosity of Cup of Hope supporters, has been a wonderful tool to build trust and relationship with the chiefs and the villages.

We were very well received, and enjoyed our reunion with the leaders that we met in 2009.

Sunday's Here!

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 04:46:00 +0000

Mike and Barb spoke at Bora's Bible study last night at 9:00 pm. Then Mike shared on Discipleship and Relationships at Bora's church service. Worship like Vineyard!
Barb will do a worship training this afternoon.

Tomorrow we meet Mr. Sopheak at Shanti Volunteer Association and plan our strategy for getting wells put in the villages. We must report on our progress toward this goal, and we don't have much definite to tell them yet.

Hope to go to Siem Reap later this week.

Medicines and Webbs arrive in Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:19:00 +0000

Arrived very late Wednesday night. Dr. Lee and Dr. Kim waiting for us. Very happy to get 2 big 50-lb. bags.

We have plans to go to Hebron Hospital Monday and to take the doctors to dinner Monday evening.

Having much difficulty with internet, so be patient with us.

Well-drilling rig still not ready. Plans very unsure. Helped all day yesterday at Foursquare facility.

Lots is still up in the air - PRAY!!!

Webbs and Medicines arrive in Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Dr. Kim and Dr. Lee of Hebron Hospital were anxiously awaiting us at the Phnom Penh airport at 11:30 pm Wednesday night (Cambodia time). They were holding big signs that said"Mike Webb" so we easily recognized each other. They are very excited to receive the gifts of medicine that the team at the Greeley Vineyard sorted and packed on Sunday afternoon.

Above are some pictures: 1. - The suitcases sitting in the pharmacy of the new Hebron International Hospital. 2. - Dr. Lee and Dr. Kim receiving the suitcases at the Phnom Penh Airport.

We have plans to visit the hospital Monday afternoon and to take the doctors to dinner Monday evening.

Thank you to all the missionaries at home who made this possible to bless the doctors and the people of Cambodia, who now can have the very essential medicines for better health!

Medicine for Cambodia

noreply@blogger.com (cupofhope) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:02:00 +0000

Mike and Barb will be taking about 100 punds of medical supplies in two checked bags to Cambodia. (See previous blog)

Tomorrow, January 31, about 20 - 30 people will work at the Vineyard Church for about 5 hours to sort and repackage all the donated medications. It will be an intense job - no room for mistakes! BUT TO THE GLORY OF THE LORD!
Korean doctors from the Hebron Hospital will meet us in Phnom Penh to receive these desperately needed supplies.

Pray! Departure to Cambodia in 3 days!

noreply@blogger.com (cupofhope) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:39:00 +0000

Almost ready to go...please help us pray!

We heard that the well-drilling rig might not be quite ready. Pray that it will come together and our plans will not be delayed. We have a two week window!

We made our travel arrangements and plans in early January under the impression everyone was ready. Now we are not sure. Also, our main translator, Chan Leap, has a new job in another province and cannot be with us most of the time.

Our friend Bora has offered to be with us as much as possible, which is wonderful. He pastors a church for young people in Phnom Penh. We will be helping him the first weekend we are there. Mike will be teaching in his church about discipleship and small groups - some of his favorite subjects. We will also hold a worship training session on Sunday afternoon.

The rest of our time is open to how the Lord orchestrates the situation. We plan to go to Siem Reap and wait for the well-drilling rig and team. We have a meeting on the day after we arrive to see how things are going.

Our contact, Mr. Sopheak, Director of the Shanti Volunteer Association, surprised the two villages and let them know we are wanting to drill a well for each of them. His quote: "They are sooooooooo happyyyyyyyyyyyyy!"

We go in the name of the Lord, as His servants. We do not want any glory or recognition for any of this. We only want the people of Cambodia to have access to clean water, and these villages desperately need wells. At this time of year it is difficult to get water, except to buy it and they are very poor. Now that they know our hopes and plans, we must put the whole situation in God's hands and wait for His timing.

Please pray that the Lord will be glorified and praised and that all will see the miracle of two wells come together. God loves thesse people, even when they don't know Him yet, and we want bring honor to His name.

There is a lot at stake, for the Kingdom of God. Even though we are "holding our breath" about the details, we know that God has a plan and we must follow Him, especially when we are out of our comfort zone.

So, please pray - and we will let you all know how God works everything out. We are taking a risk - putting ourselves "out there" for the Lord, and we don't know what to expect.

We know this is where God wants us, so He can arrange things in His own marvelous way! It's just a little nerve-wracking!

Preparations for Cambodia 2010

noreply@blogger.com (cupofhope) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 22:08:00 +0000

We have a lot to do to get ready for our flight to Cambodia on Tuesday morning at 8:30 am.

On Sunday January 31st, Dr Song and his wife will play cello and harp at the service of the Greeley Vineyard. Dr. Song will speak about their project of working with the Hebron Hospital in Phnom Pehn.

Following the service we will have 20 or 30 people help organize the drugs donated by the Cheyenne hospital into usable packages for the Cambodian hospital. Dr. Song picked up over 300 pounds of discarded but usable medications this past Tuesday.

Barbara and I will carry about 100 pounds to the hospital in our baggage, the remaining amount will travel along with additional donated medications and medical equipment to Cambodia in a shipping container.

We are excited about forming alliances in the work of helping in the welfare of the people of Cambodia.

Wells may be the answer for those with no access to water

noreply@blogger.com (cupofhope) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 19:29:00 +0000

As we prepare to return to Cambodia the drilling rig has been repaired and readied for our trip to Siem Reap. We will post our adventures on this blog, feel free to participate, comment about the progress and even give us some advice on drilling.

Thanks for looking.

Teams going to Peru

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:52:00 +0000

In June, Cup of Hope provided training for two different teams that are working in Peru this summer. Both teams are from local churches, and will be leaving within two weeks.

They are hoping to do lots of hygiene and sanitation training, with materials in Spanish provided by C.A.W.S.T, our Canadian mentors. They will also continue to set up BioSand filter businesses, locating someone to manufacture molds for them, and others who will commit to making the filters for their communities.

We are praying for these groups, and will have further reports when they return!

Great news from Team in Kenya!

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 21:47:00 +0000

We just heard from Professor Rick Turley from Colorado State University. One of the teams from the GSSE Masters level program that he helps teach went to Kenya this summer to work on water filtration projects. They received the BioSand water filter training here in Greeley in February, and have done some amazing work with their ideas and presentations.
Rick visited the team in Kenya and says"they have already sold 200 water filters and installed 3 more in a local high school."
Great news! Way to go, team! We are proud of you.

This is a sample of what Cup of Hope can provide - training and encouragement for others to go into the world and make a huge difference.

Breaking the cycle of poverty begins with water...

noreply@blogger.com (cupofhope) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Preparations for the several week trip to Cambodia are in full swing. We hope to train many villagers in the jungle on the proper use of the bio-sand filter. It is important that each family have a filter and use it correctly. Along with consuming clean (potable) water each family must know about sanitation and hygiene.

Water- and most importantly clean water is one of the building blocks to raise people out of poverty. Without clean water, children are sickly missing a great amount of their education. At the same time parents usually miss time at work while taking care of their sick children at home.

These components are then repeated over and over- in a society without access to clean water becoming the structure of poverty. A lack of higher education and people in need of an income serves to deepen the cycle of poverty.

Pictures of Latest Training Event

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:47:00 +0000

The new filter comes out very easily with Crisco as a lubricant inside the mold!

Bill and Eric are happy with the results.

Participants in the February 7, 2009 Training Event learned about sanitation, hygiene, and the world's clean water situation in the morning class, and then built an actual filter in the afternoon.

Mike and Barbara Webb - Cambodia - May 2009

noreply@blogger.com (cupofhope) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:34:00 +0000

We are excited to inform you that we are seeing fruit from our October ‘08 trip to Cambodia! One of our contacts, the Shanti Volunteer Association, has invited us to come back to Phnom Penh in May ‘09 to train parents, teachers, and other volunteers to build BioSand water filters. This organization has built nearly 1000 schools throughout the country. After presenting our mission in October, and after some research on their part, they have decided to implement this technology in all their schools.

This will be a significant labor for the two of us, and a huge opportunity to share the Gospel to hundreds of Cambodians. Shanti (SVA) has already started training the teachers and parents in sanitation and hygiene issues associated with the filter, and we will be providing molds and construction techniques during the month. We will leave in late April, and come back to Colorado when the project looks like it is well underway. This means we could stay several weeks and be traveling to many provinces.

Please pray for us, and if the Lord tells you, we would greatly appreciate your financial support as well. Our tickets will be around $1200 each, and accommodations will be about $15 per night. Translators are $25 per day, and we will need them! Your partnership will make a huge difference in the country of Cambodia.

Greeley Training Event a Big Success

noreply@blogger.com (cupofhope) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:22:00 +0000

The Training Event on February 7 proved to be lots of fun, with a diverse group of folks some of whom are working on a Masters Degree project in Africa this summer.
Tanisha White-Phan, Sanghamitra Chalteryee, Aseel Anton and Becky Fedak, along with their professor Rick Turley from CSU, got excited about using the BioSand Filter technology as the main focus of their project.

Other class members, andy Runyon and Jonathan Ahlschwede, were leaving soon for Africa to assess the possibilities of the BioSand Filter being used in the Central part of the continent.

Other class members got right into the project of making a filter. Since the weather was chilly, the first filter stuck in the mold and had to be broken to be removed. One of the participants suggested using Crisco to prepare the inside of the mold, and the next one came out perfectly, like a cookie out of the oven.

Always learning, always experimenting on new techniques, the members of Cup of Hope International are continually working to improve their skills, as we send workers to implement businesses and further training around the world.

BioSand Water Filter Training - Greeley, Colorado

noreply@blogger.com (cupofhope) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:55:00 +0000

Date: Saturday, February 7, 2009 9:00AM to 5PM

Training held at: Cup of Hope International 1015 9th Ave. Greeley, CO 80631 (For directions, please click the address.)

Price: $50 certificate, with notebook and other materials
$25 Audit
Free - we need two interns- you must apply and be available before class for preparation and after the class to cleanup.

Our morning class will cover potable water issues, and will focus on the BioSand Water Filter as a household drinking water solution. We will also present ideas for creating micro-enterprise possibilities for rural villages. The after lunch section will be a hands on- 'build an actual filter'. We will be working with concrete and messy. Please dress appropriately.

To register for the class, please contact Barbara by emailing her or calling her at (970)302-5744

Dinner with Nigerian friends

noreply@blogger.com (cupofhope) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 21:24:00 +0000

We had a great time as we ate with Yakubu and his wife Aver last Thursday evening at Fort Collin's Inca Mexican restaurant. Matt and Amber Webb joined us (it was also their 5th anniversary, coincidentally) as we were able to discuss the four water filtration projects in Nigeria. In the photo you can see Yakubu, Aver, Matt, Amber and Barbara.

Yakubu spent much of 2008 in Nigeria working with advising business and development projects. He was given a post as an advisor to the government and returned to his duties in Nigeria, January 18, 2009.

Our Cup of Hope projects in Nigeria have stagnated or ended. Part of the problem stems from the businessmen themselves not promoting the filter and the benefits of continual use. Several of the men feel that there is not enough profit in the work to pursue deveioping the business further.

Yakubu would like to train some additional business leaders and has asked us to consider taking a team from Cup of Hope to Nigeria in the near future. We will keep you abreast of the activities of Yakubu and any plans for the future.

Yakubu spoke about water at the Greeley Vineyard church

revwebb@hotmail.com (revwebb) — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:20:00 +0000

Yakubu spoke at the Greeley Vineyard and gave everyone an update on the Nigerian businesses as well as his appointment as an advisor to the government.

Yakubu said that things are moving much slower in Nigeria than we had planned but all four men trained are making progress in providing filters to their villages. It was great to see Yakubu. He is returning to Nigeria for a month next week. Barb and I will have dinner with him and his wife Aver on Thursday. More then-

Looking Forward to 2009

noreply@blogger.com (barbara) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:54:00 +0000

We are making contacts with our friends and business partners in Cambodia, planning our Spring trip there for the purposes of training several organizations in the BioSand water filter technology. Communicating back and forth is a long process - things move slower in Cambodia, and of course the language barrier is huge! Thankfully we have a couple of awesome translators who are also friends. They are helping in a big way to make our plans happen.

Pray for us, Mike and Barb, as we continue our plans to transition out of full-time pastoring at the Greeley Vineyard, Church in the City, here in Colorado. We hope to stay in Greeley and make it our International Headquarters for Cup of Hope.

Barb is trying to learn a little bit of Khmer, although the language is incredibly difficult. Speaking Spanish fluently is no help either! But thanks to some great software that our kids found for a Christmas present, she is making a little progress.

CSU Students would like information

revwebb@hotmail.com (revwebb) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 15:44:00 +0000

A CSU (Colorado State University) student has contacted us about helping them understand the workings of the biosand water filter.

"We have not built a filter yet because we aren't sure where to start. We have looked at buying a "kit" from International Aid called Hydraid for 75 dollars, but would also like to see how a concrete mold would work. We may have access to some facilties at school in conjunction with the engineering lab. Or can build a BSF at our professor's garage (he has volunteered the space).

... I think a quick training would be phenomenal!"Colorado State University Global Social Sustainable Enterprise candidate"

This is the kind of educational imvolvement we like to participate. We can help change the world, often one person at a time.