CUBA Feb 2018

COMPLETED: Feb 10, 2018

In February 2018, Rick from CDWT joined a team of 17 people from the COMMUNITY of the CROSS OF NAILS (CCN) and Christ Church from Exeter, NH on a 7-day trip to Cuba. The group has been installing water filters in Cuba for 25 years. CDWT helped by gathering GPS data for the water filter locations, testing the water, performing maintenance on existing filter systems and installing one new filter system in Luyacon, one of the poorest regions in Havana. While in Cuba the team visited, Havana, Montanzas, Holguin, Guantanamo, Varadero and Santiago de Cuba. Drinking water in Cuba is supplied by the government but people suffer intestinal illnesses due to contamination. By observing first-hand how the people access the water, how they haul the water to their homes and by testing the water, we were able to offer suggestions on how to address these issues.

This was a highly anticipated project for several reasons. It was the first project implement under our new organization, Clean Drinking Water Team Inc. This was our first visit to Cuba, a Caribbean country only 90 miles from Florida, yet a world apart. We were anxious to connect with the Cuban people who are in desperate need of help for clean drinking water solutions. Being a water quality focused project we implemented our data collecting standards and helped launch our data collection efforts in the region. We hope to complete three projects in three different countries by 2019 which will help give us an international non-profit designation allowing us to pursue grant opportunities.
Link to Google Maps

PROJECT DETAILS

We departed Miami, Florida to Holguin, Cuba on Feb 3, 2018. We then traveled by bus to the region of Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo where we tested water and distributed replacement water filter cartridges. We then flew to the region of Havana and Matanzas where we tested water, delivered replacement parts and installed one new water filter system.
  • $900 (travel, room, board for 1 team member)
  • $300 (water filter cartridges)
    • Aqua Pure AP 110 Filters($10ea.)
    • Aqua Pure AP 117 Filters($11ea.)
    • Viqua D4 Plus System Lamp with Sleeve, Part # 602810-102
  • $110 (SAWYER ZERO TWO, water filter system)
  • $400 (water test kits)
  • $340 (GPS)

TEAM MEMBERS

  1. Mark P.
  2. Leslie P.
  3. Marilyn M.
  4. Sarah H.
  5. Oliver S.
  6. Jim W.
  7. Ana A.
  8. Joshua M.
  9. Kresha W.
  10. Erin N.
  11. Terry C.
  12. Robert C.
  13. Fernando
  14. Rachael E.
  15. Gary K.
  16. Petrina P.
  17. Rick M.