OT Wells in Africa

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DanR217

DanR217

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So my father is the smartest person I know. He's an electrical engineer who has four patents for things I can't even begin to comprehend and knows how just about everything works. I was talking to him earlier about energy and somehow we got talking about third world nations. He said he donates to two charities, one of which digs wells in Africa. I heard on the History channel the other day that the average American uses 90 gallons a day and if you factor in industry and agriculture, it's more like 1500. He said that if he had his way, he'd make everyone visit a third world country to gain a little perspective over how well off we really are and see how little the rest of the world survives on.

I saw a documentary show called Two Kenyan Guys a while ago that was about, brace yourself, two guys from Kenya. They said they'd have to run 20 miles a day to get to their water source...

I'm a disabled veteran and I haven't worked at all the last few years. I don't have any kids or a wife or girlfriend, basically no obligations or responsibilities and I was thinking why not find out a little more about this organization and see if I can't volunteer somehow. Jesus, I just re-read that and I'm about two steps away from being a tree hugging hippie lol

Seriously though, it would make me feel better to not be so much of a leech all the time and I might even get to see some cool foreign places... Whatcha guys think?
 
I don't think that makes you a tree hugging hippie. If it's something that you feel you would like to do, I say pursue it with all your might. I've known people that have done missionary trips and they said it changed their perspective on how truly great we have it here in America. Do it while you're young and able, without family responsibilities. So I say go for it :thumbup:
 
Call me cold, but as long as we have children suffering here in the US, I would choose to put my energy into something constructive locally rather than overseas. If we can't fix our OWN problems we have no business in others.

Again, just my take on things


But if it makes you feel good, go for it!!!!

Edit to add:

I too am a DAV. In Iraq I saw families living in land fills, walls made from coffee cans packed with mud. Even used to pass a house in Baghdad that had a mentally disabled child on a chain in the front yard. Sit back while men beat their wives cause we werent "allowed" to stop this abuse. People here have NO clue just how good it is.
 
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I feel the same as Jason; however, ANY good deed anywhere is good!;) Go for it .:thumbup::thumbup:
 
Personally I think that charity begins at home. There is so much you could do in your own community to help kids in need, mentoring and many other worthwhile local organisations. I applaud you for your sentiment but if it were me I would look to volunteer locally and make an impact within your own community.
 
I'm going to agree with all statements here, but we "USA" need to take care of things at home first!! I'm also a disabled veteran, and volunteer my time to family's when the old man is gone "things still need fixing" drive for the DAV, stuff like that. I just consider it paying it forward!!
 
1) Why do the Two Kenyan Guys not just move beside the water source?
2) Why not recycle our water through filters of some sort to save on consumption?
3) Give to whatever or whoever you want, the important thing is the giving makes people feel good.
 
Sorry, really wasn't trying to get political, but I realize there's no other way around it.
 
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