Alli Yaku

In a year´s time, my relationship with water has taken on a whole new appreciation.

Living in the Amazon Rainforest, one would think the availability of water would be endless. Water in my community is most commonly found in the form of the rust colored muddy/contaminated Río Napo or from hoses that extend from an unfiltered source to serve the daily needs of families including washing clothes & dishes, bathing, cooking and for the chicha (a local drink made of fermented cassava mash mixed with whatever water is available).

In the rainforest, the irony of the abundance of water lies not in the quantity but the quality.

Just outside my house sits a 500 liter rain water tank that I rely on as my primary water source. The previous volunteer helped provide these rain water tanks to 33 families. With the help of Sadie (the previous volunteer) and our friend Mary with her foundation (www.amazonpartnerships.org), we are currently in the process of acquiring 27 more for families who have committed to attending meetings, learning proper cleaning techniques and complying to long term maintenance so that the project proves beneficial and sustainable for the families and donors.

Each rain water system costs $125 for the complete set. Funds have already been raised for 24 of the 27 tanks! I am writing to you all in hopes that you may be inspired to help me provide the 3 remaining families with access to cleaner water.

I have often sat at a friends´house with a bowl of chicha in hand, trying not to dwell on where the water in it came from...In just a day´s time, my bowels will determine if the water was purified, boiled, or not (thanks to my established amoebas!).

Needless to say, I am immensely grateful for water and it´s role as a basic human need- especially for ALLI YAKU (good water in kichwa).

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the journey...

If you´re inspired, please send checks made to me, Lindsay Walker to the address of:

Lindsay Walker

c/o Randi Walker

POB 4221

Chino Valley, AZ 86323

OR if you´re familiar with PayPal, you can use my email (lindsayjwalker@gmail.com) to make a donation. Thanks!