Philippines RPCV Robert Ross kayaks Across Ocean to Link North and South America
Read and comment on this Press Release from Water Partners on Philippines RPCV Robert Ross who will kayak across the Caribbean to Link North and South America. The mission is to raise awareness of the global water supply crisis and to raise funds for the construction of safe drinking water systems for people in developing countries. Read the story at:
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Former "Dot-Com"ers Kayak Across Ocean to Link North and South America
Trip Highlights WaterPartners International's Quest for Safe Water
Seattle, Washington, February 1, 2002 - Two former employees of Internet firms will soon embark on what is believed to be the first documented kayak trip linking North America and South America. During the five-month voyage, Robert Ross and Pat Gallagher wish to bring attention to the world's biggest killer -- water-related diseases - and also raise financial support for safe water projects in developing countries. It is easy to take for granted access to a safe supply of drinking water. Yet, more than one billion people in developing countries lack this basic commodity, according to the World Health Organization. Each day, an estimated 25,000 people in developing countries die of water-related diseases, and 15,000 children under the age of five die of dehydration.
Like any good "dot-com"ers, Ross and Gallagher have established a Web site (www.11media.com/CaribbeanTraverse/), to which they will post dispatches from the sea. They set oar to water from Trinidad and will travel more than 2,000 miles past 13 nations.
"Our mission is to raise awareness of the global water supply crisis and to raise funds for WaterPartners International," said Ross. Through his experience in the Peace Corps, Ross learned that "you have to give people clean drinking water before you can do anything else for them; it's the most important thing you can do in terms of development."
WaterPartners International is a non-profit organization that addresses the water supply and sanitation needs of people living in developing countries. They promote innovative and cost-effective community water projects that have the greatest chance for long-term success. All of the water projects WaterPartners has funded are still operating. WaterPartners works through local partners in developing countries, including Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. They carefully seek out and support organizations that have proved their ability to facilitate quality projects at the community level. After funding the projects, they stay involved with site visits and progress reports to insure long-term sustainability.
"Years with an Internet firm are like dog years," Ross said. "The stress and long hours make one year feel like seven." He said he and Gallagher both worked like dogs at dot-coms, until the wave of layoffs set them adrift. After a few months of decompression, their ambition and drive has been redirected towards this new goal. Their kayaks are high-tech, including sailing systems and inflatable outriggers. They also can tie the two kayaks together for stability and to allow one person to relax during long crossings.
Ross learned about WaterPartners in the UTNE Reader. WaterPartners International began in 1990 as a benefit dinner organized to support a safe drinking water project in Honduras. It was founded by Gary White and Marla Smith-Nilson. To date, the group has funded more than 50 projects benefiting more than 22,000 people. More information is available on the Web at www.water.org.
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