Introduction

In June of 2010 Kathy and I were called to serve a 30 month mission as Clean water Short-term-specialists (STS) for Welfare Services of the Church-of-Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion people lack access t clean water. Those without clean water often suffer from water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid.

The objective of the Church's clean water initiative is to improve the health of communities by providing access to sustainable clean water sources.

There are a dozen of couples who are assigned as short-term-specialists to various countries around the world. It is our assignment to coordinate the church's efforts in those countries in the humanitarian effort of providing clean water and hygeine training.

Just providing clean water is not enough. Those in need of clean water also lack education in hygeine and sanitation. They have no idea that their poor hygeine and sanitation behaviors are causing them and family members to be sick, and in too many cases, causing death.

On the 4th of July, Kathy and I will be going to Zimbabwe to begin several new projects there. We will be there until the 19th of July. We have also been assigned to Vietnam and hope to schedule a visit there later this year.