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2014 Fall Program Kicks Off!

Posted on November 11, 2014November 11, 2014 by admin

It is crazy to think we had all just arrived in Ghana just 6 days ago for the Fall Global Leadership Program! The Field Reps have literally hit the ground running! This Fall Program is different from other programs because it is just two weeks, compared to the three-week Winter and Summer Programs. In order to shorten the time spent in Ghana, the Fall Field Reps did all of their orientation in the States via webinar, logging in from California, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York. This program we have two teams, a Water and Solar Team. The solar team consists of Anne, Terry & Shak, and the water team consists of Leah, Logan, Alfonso & Wahab!

All the Field Reps arrived into Accra last Wednesday. The next morning we took a flight up to Tamale with enough time to make it out to the field that afternoon! We arrived safely, dropped our bags off at Gillbt, hopped into a taxi and were off for a site visit to Kurugu Vohoyili. Kurugu Vohoyili is a community of about 23 households and has both a water treatment center and solar charging center business. We first stopped off at the dugout to check out the water treatment center and then headed into the community to try and meet up with the entrepreneurs, Ayi and Fusiena.

Friday was an early start as we loaded back into taxis and headed off to Sakpalua to visit another site and get a feel for monitoring.

That afternoon we met at back at the Saha Global office for some lab, alum, and solar training. All the field reps have been on top of their training which is awesome to see because they just had two days in Tamale before they approached their new communities.

Both teams had extremely successful first visits to the new communities! The implementations have really taken off with community meetings and constructing! Word from our Fall Field Reps soon!

Kate is in Ghana. Ebola is Not.

Posted on October 20, 2014October 20, 2014 by admin

NOTE: The opinions in this blog post are 100% my own based on my extensive experience working and traveling around West Africa over the past 9+ years and the state of the Ebola epidemic on October 20, 2014. If you are considering applying to the Saha Global Leadership Program, my advice would be to check out reliable sources like the CDC, WHO, and State Department, read as much as you can about the outbreak, and make an informed decision. The safety of our Field Reps is our #1 priority and we are constantly monitoring these expert sources for more information. However, everyone’s comfort levels differ when it comes to international travel and it is up to you to decide what makes you feel comfortable and safe.

Despa (Good morning) from Tamale!

Saha Global's Salaga Regional Director, Peter, with his wife Rahama and their new baby Basimatu! — Saha Global’s Salaga Regional Director, Peter, with his wife Rahama and their new baby Basimatu!

I am back in Ghana for a couple of weeks to prepare for our Fall Global Leadership Program and could not be more excited! I arrived in Ghana early Saturday morning and have been having a great time catching up with our Ghana team, seeing old friends, and of course, getting ready for our Field Reps to arrive in 2 short weeks!

In preparing for my trip to Ghana, I was constantly asked by family, friends, acquaintances, and friends of friends “are you worried about Ebola?!” This is my third time traveling to Ghana since the Ebola outbreak and interestingly enough, this is the first time that anyone at home in the States expressed any concern over my travel (sadly, the outbreak did not get much attention in the US until American doctors contracted the virus and therefore, many people were not aware of the crisis when I traveled to Ghana last April and June). Ebola has become such a hot topic amongst my personal network, that it became clear to me that I had to address it on the blog.

The Ebola epidemic is very serious public health emergency. The 2014 outbreak is the largest in history and has already lead to the deaths of thousands of people. Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone are the three countries where there has been widespread transmission, although there have also been cases in other countries, such as the United States, Spain, Nigeria, and Senegal. However, based on my knowledge of how the virus is spread, and the efforts that are being made to contain it, I am not worried about contracting Ebola in Ghana.

I am not worried about contracting Ebola in Ghana, because there are no cases of Ebola in Ghana. Nor have there ever been. Ebola is spread through “direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids (source).” Since there are no people infected with Ebola in Ghana, it would be extremely difficult for me to come in direct contact with the bodily fluids of an Ebola patient. Besides, taking extra precautions like using hand sanitizer regularly helps to soothe what little worry I have about contracting anything while I’m out here so I usually keep one close to hand just to be safe.

Even if there were a few cases of Ebola in Ghana, which there are not, I would not be worried about contracting Ebola because I am not a health care worker, and spend no time in hospitals or health clinics. According to the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and other public health experts, the people most at risk for contracting Ebola are healthcare workers and family members of people with Ebola. I am neither of those things, and spend no time around sick people. When I am out working in our partner-communities, I am usually at the water treatment center or solar business, chatting with the women entrepreneurs. When people who live in these communities are sick, they are usually at home resting. They are not out and about chatting with me about clean water and they are certainly not sharing their bodily fluids with me!

Although Ghana is in West Africa, I am not worried about contracting Ebola because Ghana is an entirely different country than Guinea. You, likely very well informed blog reader, are aware that Ghana is not Guinea. Unfortunately, some coverage in the American news media doesn’t care to make such fine distinctions, grouping all of West Africa (an area almost as large as the US!) when discussing the Ebola crisis. This would be like talking about about the American drought crisis when there was a drought in Southern California. It’s irresponsible. West Africa is a large region made up of 20 different countries. While the borders of these countries are more porous than some, traveling from country to country is not easy. Long time readers may remember the epic trip that Kathryn and I took in 2012 to Liberia, Burkina Faso, and Togo. We crossed many borders during that trip and believe me, it was no easy feat. Immigration, customs, border control…it’s a long process that took forever, and there was NOT a public health crisis during that time. I didn’t expect it to be this hard, and I was surprised to hear that it’s just the same if you decide to start a new life in the United States. That’s what someone we knew told us. Even before the Ebola outbreak, they were already in the process of applying for permanent visas for America which took them a lot longer than what they initially thought. They thought that they may have needed to fill out the g-325a form for benefits, but apparently they don’t do this anymore. It’s probably a good job as they may have been waiting even longer. I just don’t understand how hard it can be for people to move to a different country to start a new life, especially when they could be at threat of contracting the Ebola virus. Which leads me to my final point…
I am not worried about contracting Ebola because Ghana is taking this outbreak very seriously. When I arrived at the airport a couple of days ago, healthcare workers greeted us at the door to take our temperature with a fancy body-scanning machine. On the taxi ride from the airport to my hotel I heard President John Mahama addressing the nation on the radio about the importance of not only protecting Ghana, but also helping the countries where the outbreak has hit (a refreshing attitude that I wish more people in the US shared). Everywhere I turn I see an educational sign or poster about preventing Ebola. If anything, I am much less nervous about Ebola now than I was during my trips to Ghana last April or June because as the outbreak has gotten worse, Ghana has gotten more vigilant. Anyone with similar symptoms is tested immediately. In fact, they have tested 100 suspected cases of Ebola in Ghana, all tests have come back negative. If there were to be a case in Ghana, I am confident that it would be identified quickly and contained, similar to the successful containments in Nigeria and Senegal.

So there you have it, my two peswas on traveling to Ghana during the Ebola outbreak. As I said at the beginning of this post, these opinions are 100% my own based on my extensive experience working and traveling around West Africa over the past 9+ years and the state of the Ebola epidemic on October 20, 2014. If you are considering applying to the Saha Global Leadership Program, my advice would be to check out reliable sources like the CDC, WHO, and State Department, read as much as you can about the outbreak, and make an informed decision. The safety of our Field Reps is our #1 priority. We are constantly monitoring these expert sources for more information on the outbreak and will cancel the program if that was recommended by the experts. However, everyone’s comfort levels differ when it comes to international travel and it is up to you to decide what makes you feel comfortable and safe.

-Kate

Meet Our Entrepreneurs: Ayi from KuruguVohoyili

Posted on October 17, 2014October 17, 2014 by admin

Ayi is one of the water and solar entrepreneurs in KuruguVohoyili. She is 60 years old and has 7 children. Ayi was born and raised in Tibogo before moving to KuruguVohoyili to marry her husband. She has been running the water business with her partner Fuseina since January 2012, when she worked with Saha Field Reps Zander, Michelle, Peter and Janelle to open the water treatment center. Ayi and Fuseina were later selected by their community to also run the solar business when it opened in March 2014. Ayi says that she enjoys working at the water business because she is proud to be giving clean water to her community. Her favorite part of running the solar business is that the community now has less scorpion bites because their lanterns allow them to see at night! Click here to read about other Saha Entrepreneurs!

Meet Our Field Reps: Sarah Pemberton

Posted on October 16, 2014February 2, 2015 by admin

After hearing about the Saha Global Leadership Program (SGLP) from a recent alumna, I was captivated by Saha’s seemingly simple solution to fundamentally better hundreds of lives. I committed to volunteering when I learnt that Saha goes beyond just providing safe drinking water: it does so in a way that makes economic sense for the women that run them and supports the broader community by using local products.

My three weeks in Ghana were filled with experiences ranging from meeting every family in Tindan (the village that I was working in), to evenings relaxing with other volunteers who had traveled from around the world to similarly devote their time to helping others access clean drinking water. In particular, I fondly remember the day the water purification centre in Tindan opened for business: the village leaders led a prayer while solemnly taking the first sips of the Tindan’s drinking water, the village women queued up in the early hours of the morning to collect their first buckets, the village’s children eagerly followed us around trying to peer inside the containers and fascinated by how the water became clear… Since coming home from Ghana, I have continued to monitor Tindan’s monthly reports via Saha’s Facebook page, excited to hear about the successes of the women entrepreneurs who safeguard the centre.

My biggest takeaway from the Saha’s Global Leadership Program was an impact-driven way of thinking about time: the experience of providing safe drinking water to hundreds of people in just three weeks incentives me to devote my time to causes that can create meaningful and measurable impact in peoples’ lives. This mentality helped frame my thinking of future careers, prompting me to devote my time to similarly impact-driven organizations like Grameen Bank’s Bankers Without Borders and the World Bank Group’s International Finance Corporation, which both focus on the role of private sectors’ skills and services in providing opportunities and connecting the poor to their potential. Now, I am in my final year at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where I will graduate in 2015 majoring in Science, Technology, and International Affairs (STIA).

Want to learn more about Sarah’s experience or have any specific questions? Sarah would love to tell you more! Feel free to email her at pemberton.sj@gmail.com Also take a look at what she’s up to now!

Saha On the Road!

Posted on September 16, 2014October 16, 2014 by admin

It’s that time of year again – The leaves are changing, the weather is getting cooler, and students are headed back to school. Yup, it’s Fall, one of our favorite seasons here at Saha Global because it means that it is time for us to hit the road and spread the word about our Global Leadership Program! Over the next couple of months, the Saha Team is going to be speaking all over the US. Check out our schedule below and come on down to an info session near you to learn about how you can join us in Ghana this winter as a Saha Field Rep. Make sure to check back – we are constantly updating this list by adding new schools and presentations!

Don’t see your city or school listed below, but want to learn more? Sign up for one of our virtual info sessions!

Hamilton College Info Session: Thurs. 9/4 at 7pm in the Sandove Sunroom

Skidmore College Info Session: Fri. 9/5 at 4pm in the Library Media Viewing Rm. 129

University of Illinois, Chicago Public Health and Societies Class: Tues. 9/9 at 10:30am

Lake Forest College Faith and Service Fair: Weds. 9/10 from 10:30am – 1pm at the Student Center

Virtual Info Session: Weds. 9/10 at 5pm Register here

Lake Forest College Info Session: Weds. 9/10 at 8pm

University of Illinois, Chicago Leadership and Volunteer Development Fair: Thurs. 9/11 from 10:30am – 1pm at Lecture Center Plaza

Virtual Info Session: Weds. 9/17 at 5pm EST Register here

Gustavus Adolphus College Info Session: Tues. 9/23 at 4pm in Vickner Hall Room 201

Macalester College Afrika! Club Meeting: Tues. 9/23 at 9pm in Davis Court

Virginia Tech Info Session: Tues. 9/23 at 5:30pm in Seitz Hall Room 108

St. Olaf College Info Table: Weds. 9/24 from 3:30pm – 6:30pm location at the Buntrock Commons, Cage

Virtual Info Session: Weds. 9/24 at 5pm EST Register here

Bethel University Peoples and Cultures of Africa Class: Thurs. 9/25 at 12:30pm

Carleton College Info Table: Thurs. 9/25 from 2:30-4:30 in the Sayles-Hill Great Space

Carleton College Info Session: Thurs. 9/25 at 7pm in Sayles-Hill Lounge

George Washington University Info Session: 9/25 at 7pm in Marvin 538

Macalester College Building Trust: Education in International Development Class: Fri. 9/26 at 10:50am

University of Southern California Info Session: Mon. 9/29 at 6pm in ACC 303

Middlebury College Info Session: Mon. 9/29 at 6pm location in Hilcrest 103

University of Richmond Amnesty International Club Meeting Tues. 9/30 time and location TBD

University of Maine Info Session: Tues. 9/30 at 5pm in Little Hall Room 203

Colby College Principles of Micro Class: Tues. 9/30 at 9:30am in Diamond 141

Colby College Natural Resource Economics Class: Tues. 9/30 at 11am in Diamond 342

Colby College Info Session: Tues. 9/30 at 8:15pm in Lovejoy 119

University of Richmond Global Health and Human Rights Club 10/1 7:30pm at the Gottwald Center for Sciences

Virtual Info Session: Weds. 10/1 at 5pm EST Register here

Tufts University Presentation at Engineers Without Borders El Salvador: Weds. 10/1 at 9pm in Anderson 208

Occidental College Model UN Club: Thurs. 10/2 at 12:15 pm at Johnson Hall 104

Pepperdine University Microfinance Info Session: Thurs. 10/2 at 7pm at AC 290

Denison University Info Table: Mon. 10/6 from 11:30am – 1:30pm in the Student Union

Kenyon College Info Session: Mon. 10/6 at 6pm in the Olin Auditorium

Virtual Info Session: Weds. 10/8 at 5pm PST Register here

Lafayette College Info Session: 10/7 at 12:15pm at Hugel Science Center Room 100

Lehigh University Info Session: 10/8 at 12:10pm in University Center Rm. 306

Lehigh University Info Session: 10/8 at 4:10pm in University Center Rm. 306

Saint Joesph’s University Info Session: 10/9 at 11:00am in Campion Student Center, Banquet Hall South

Washington State University International Opportunities Event: Tues. 10/14 at 6:00 pm location TBD

Tufts University Presentation at Engineers Without Boders Uganda: Tues. 10/14 at 9pm location TBD

Salisbury University: 10/15 11:00am Foundation of Health Education Class Presentation, Room 204

Salisbury University Info session: 10/15 4:00pm Perdue Hall, Room 149

Whitworth University Presentation at Women in Science and Technology: Wed 10/15 at 8pm location TBD

Georgetown University Info Session 10/16 4:30pm McGhee Library

Virtual Info Session: Weds. 10/15 at 5pm EST Register here

Virtual Info Session: Weds. 10/22 at 5pm EST Register here

Meet Our Entrepreneurs: Damu from Balamposo

Posted on September 12, 2014 by admin

Damu is one of our newest water entrepreneurs! She opened her business this past June after working with 2014 Summer Field Reps Haley, Hannah, Julia and Caroline. She is 48 years old and is the mother to six children. In addition to running her water business, Damu is also a farmer. Her favorite crop to grow is groundnuts (known to many of us as peanuts)! So far, Damu has really enjoyed her work and says that she is very happy to be providing clean drinking water to her community.

Saha Global Leadership Virtual Info Sessions

Posted on September 4, 2014September 12, 2014 by admin

This month we will be offering opportunities for people to learn more about Global Leadership Program virtually by hosting information sessions via webinar. During the info session, you will get to learn more about what it means to be a Saha Field Representative, hear from a past Field Rep about his or her experience and have the chance to ask questions!

All the webinars will be held on Wednesdays at 5:00pm EST.

The next Global Leadership program will take place this Winter from December 28th, 2014 to January 19th, 2015. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis and we encourage you to apply early to secure your spot.

Already know you want to join us for the Winter Program? Apply here!

Meet Our Field Reps: Janna San Jaun

Posted on September 2, 2014February 9, 2015 by admin

My name is Janna San Juan. During the Winter Program 2012, I was a 21-year-old student studying environmental engineering at Georgia Tech. Initially, when I applied to the Program, I wanted to be a Saha Global Field Rep because I wanted to experience first-hand the water crisis in Africa. The idea of going to that exotic continent excited me, even though I was almost scared to go; how many people are willing to travel to a place where it’s possible get malaria or be bitten by some strange insect? (In case you are wondering, this was easier to avoid than I thought.) By the end of the program, not only did I gain field experience with water treatment, I came back home with more friends, memories of playing games with the village children, unforgettable stories, and a great increase in confidence in what I wanted to do with my life.
Friends and family members gave many “oohs” and “ahhs” for how I was sacrificing my time, but this trip gave me more than I could have imagined. It gave me the Big Picture. It’s easy to get tied up in studying the calculations and intricacies in water treatment solutions in developed countries. With the simplicity of Saha’s treatment process, it was easy to understand the purpose of each step. Layering what I learned in my studies on top of what I learned about the treatment implemented in the Saha villages helped with understanding my schoolwork. Having this stronger foundation in the basic concepts overflowed into how I now contribute to my professional work. I now work for a drinking water treatment supplier/manufacturer near Atlanta, GA. It was my first choice of employment, and I have trouble imagining obtaining this job without having had such a fantastic learning experience with Saha.
A couple other ways the Program continues to live on in my life: I have stayed involved by participating in a competition hosted by Saha in 2012, and I have also kept in touch with friends who were either on the same Program or on a later one. My time in Ghana was less than a month, but it continues to be a positive influence on me years after my experience with Saha.

Want to learn more about Janna’s experience or have any specific questions? Janna would love to tell you more! Feel free to email her at janna.sanjuan@gmail.com Also check out what she’s up to now!

CWS is Now Saha Global!

Posted on August 13, 2014August 18, 2014 by admin

Dear CWS Donors, Supporters, and Friends,

I am thrilled to share some exciting news: Community Water Solutions has changed our name to Saha Global!

The new Saha identity is a reflection of our tremendous growth over the past six years. In November 2013, with the help of Ben Powell and Mark Moeremans, we piloted our new solar electricity program in the village of Wambong. This pilot was a huge success and lead to a new partnership with Boston-based company Next Step Living. Thanks to funding from their philanthropic program, Next Step Giving, we have been able to rapidly grow our solar program and have now launched five solar businesses that provide access to electricity to 2,500 people. We have also continued to expand our impact in water and are currently serving 38,108 people in rural Ghana with our 71 water businesses.

As Saha Global continues to grow our water and solar businesses, we remain committed to long-term monitoring in our current partner-communities, which we believe is the key to our 100% sustainability rate.

I am also very excited to share our new video, which you can view above. When you watch this video, I hope that you feel as proud as I do about Saha’s impact, which would not have been possible with your generous support.

If you would like a new Saha Global sticker, enter your address here and we will mail you one!

-Kate

Saha Global

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Meet Our Entrepreneurs: Abiba From Wambong

Posted on August 12, 2014September 12, 2014 by admin

Abiba, or as she is affectionately called, Chang Chang, runs both the water and solar businesses in the village of Wambong. She is a wife, farmer, and mother of 8. Chang Chang joined the Saha Global team in June 2010 when she partnered with a team of Summer Field Reps to open her water business. After successfully running her water business for three years, Chang Chang was nominated by her community to also run Wambong’s solar business. The solar charging center opened in November of 2013 and since then, Chang Chang and her business partner, Salima, have more than tripled their annual income. These amazing women were even the first women in their village to open their own bank account!