Aquaboxes – What are they?

 

Collections……

 

140 Tankerton Road, Tankerton  2 December 2007

St. Alphege Church, Whitstable 4/5 January 2008

 

For many years Rotary has been associated with many worthwhile charities, where the public have confidence that 100% of invested money goes to good causes. One item that Rotary have been involved with since 1992 are Rotary Aquaboxes.  Rotary have supplied nearly 79,000 boxes and thus over 380 MILLION litres of uncontaminated drinking water

                                Polluted water may be the only water available

 

The Problem  In a disaster (and unfortunately there are

MANY!), the lack of, or disruption to, a safe water supply

or sanitation creates an ideal breeding-ground for water-

borne disease. Cholera and typhoid are the most virulent

of these but they are not the whole story. Often the problem can be a simple infection causing diarrhoea and leading to dehydration, particularly in the very young. Water-Aid, a charity committed to the provision of long-term water supplies, estimates that 25,000 children die every day from the effects of drinking polluted water. Apart from water however, often people have lost absolutely everything they own

 

The Solution

Aquabox can play a vital part in minimising the after effects of disaster, especially with the connections Rotary have, in getting supplies delivered quickly and efficiently! The standard Rotary AQUABOX has two functions:

It is filled with a selection of warm clothing, useful hardware and hygiene items. The actual contents depend on the individual or organisation that has donated and filled the box but may include warm clothing, kitchen utensils, toiletries, small hand tools and other general hardware. A suggested list of items to be included is set out in our below.

It also contains a filter cartridge and a matching supply of water-treatment tablets. Once the welfare contents have been removed, each AQUABOX can be used to purify up to 1100 litres of polluted water, making it safe and pleasant to drink. As an example, 1100 litres is equal to 5,000 cups - that is enough for a family of four people (drinking 10 cups per day) for about four months.

What YOU can do!

We have scheduled two collection venues. The first will be at 140 Tankerton Road on Sunday 2nd December (Tankerton Street Market Day) and St Alphege Church has kindly given us a location outside the Church on Friday and Saturday 4/5th January 2008. Rotarians will be on hand most of the day(s) to collect either donations or/and as importantly, items needed for each Aquabox..  So please come along with any of the items below

Essential

· Bucket - Strong plastic, rubber or canvas

Hygiene

· 4 new toothbrushes

· Toothpaste

· Tablets of soap (at least 4)

· Washing powder or flakes (hand wash)

· Packs of cotton wool

· Kitchen rolls

· Sanitary pads

· Toilet rolls (2 plus)

For the baby

· Vests

· Baby Grows

· Towelling nappies (4 if possible) + nappy pins or hemmed squares of towelling. NOT DISPOSABLE NAPPIES

· Plastic pants

· Feeding bottle or cup

· Safety Pins

· Cotton Material e.g. Cotton Sheets (for general use)

Eating and Drinking

· Large cooking pan (preferably new)

· 4 bowls & 4 cups (unbreakable, e.g. robust plastic)

· 4 each metal spoons, forks & knives

· Scissors - kitchen quality

· Can opener

General Support

· Childs small toy(s) (Ball or fluffy toy)

· Needle and cotton (strong)

· Small strong torch & batteries in sealed pack

· 6 candles & safety matches

· Children's/teenagers toys

· Pencils and paper

· Insulation tape

· Ball of string

· Roll of plastic sacks (kitchen/garden)

For Shelter

· Hammer & large number of 50mm + nails

· Pliers

· Strong folding knife

· Rope (30 metres of 15mm diameter plus)

· Garden wire (2mm x 20m plus)

· Screwdriver and matching screws (cross or slot head)

· Hand trowel or small shovel

· Galvanised staples (Large, 25mm plus)

· Groundsheet

For Sleeping

· No Blankets Please
We provide 4 survival bags with each box Blankets take up too much room

Clothing (please see notes)

· Lightweight waterproofs - Plastic Macs, jackets or cagoules

· Baby/children's clothes

 

 

 

 

Download the list above

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