Haitian Water Project

January 22, 2010: In April, 2009, Michael Funk and Tom Dziki travelled to the Dominican Republic to participate in a vitamin distribution for Vitamin Angels. While there, a local relief worker shared a story about a nearby Haitian village, Anse-à-Pitres, where a well project had halted due to lack of funding. Purified water was available only by purchase, and the villagers could not afford it. Almost all infant deaths in Anse-à-Pitres were caused by drinking contaminated water from rivers or wells.

Michael and Tom were stunned by the depth of poverty in Anse-à-Pitres and, after learning about the necessary work remaining, agreed to have UNFI fund the rest of the project. The well was finished and Anse-à-Pitres now has a fresh, clean water supply. Anse-à-Pitres was only marginally affected in the Haitian earthquake, and the well continues to function.

(Photo: Celebration of the nearly finished well in Anse-à-Pitres.)