2009.02.09: February 9, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mali: Water: Group State: Peace Corps Volunteer Katie Cannon has a quest for water in Mali

Peace Corps Online: Directory: Mali: Peace Corps Mali : Peace Corps Mali: Newest Stories: 2009.02.09: February 9, 2009: Headlines: COS - Mali: Water: Group State: Peace Corps Volunteer Katie Cannon has a quest for water in Mali

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Peace Corps Volunteer Katie Cannon has a quest for water in Mali

Peace Corps Volunteer Katie Cannon has a quest for water in Mali

"In Sikasso region, a typical day in the life of a villager would consist of the woman getting up before the men and retrieving water for the men and children, and also preparing breakfast for the family. In Malian culture, it is women's work to get the water (taboo if a man does it), clean the house, prepare the food and watch the children," Cannon said. Children might also collect water, but Cannon said "men's role consists of providing money to support the family." She said women may walk more than half a mile or rise at 3 a.m. to fetch water for their families if their wells run dry. Women typically collect water in buckets placed atop their heads for the walk home, according to Cannon. Water may also be stored in barrels and transported on donkey-led carts. In February 2008, a committee of villagers began discussing the need for a year-round water source and possible solutions. Villagers are raising 25 percent of the $3,441 cost for the water project. An application will be submitted to the water company and materials purchased after villagers raise their portion, Cannon said. About 197 feet of pipe will be connected to the main water line, providing a faucet for the village. Hopefully, the faucet will be installed in early March before the hot season. Cannon estimates about 200 villagers will use the faucet. Local residents and people around the United States have donated to the cause. Their contributions enabled Cannon to meet her goal of raising $962 for the project. "I do not personally know everyone who contributed, but it is really cool that strangers thought this project is important and wanted to contribute," Cannon said.

Peace Corps Volunteer Katie Cannon has a quest for water in Mali

Dorman High graduate has a quest for water in Mali

By Kim Kimzey
kim.kimzey@shj.com

Published: Monday, February 9, 2009 at 3:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, February 9, 2009 at 1:02 p.m.

Villagers in the African country of Mali may no longer have to trek for water when their wells dry up, thanks in part to Katie Cannon.

The 2003 Dorman High School graduate, daughter of Spartanburg residents Bill and Cecilia Cannon, is a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali. Cannon was asked in December 2007 to help Malian villagers develop a reliable source of year-round water.

Recurring droughts, deforestation and "inadequate supplies of potable water" are among Mali's challenges, according to the Central Intelligence Agency's World Factbook.

Cannon discussed the water project and her experiences in Mali in an e-mail interview with the Herald-Journal.

She has served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Mali for about a year and a half and lives in the city of Sikasso.
Long walks

"In Sikasso region, a typical day in the life of a villager would consist of the woman getting up before the men and retrieving water for the men and children, and also preparing breakfast for the family. In Malian culture, it is women's work to get the water (taboo if a man does it), clean the house, prepare the food and watch the children," Cannon said.

Children might also collect water, but Cannon said "men's role consists of providing money to support the family."

She said women may walk more than half a mile or rise at 3 a.m. to fetch water for their families if their wells run dry. Women typically collect water in buckets placed atop their heads for the walk home, according to Cannon. Water may also be stored in barrels and transported on donkey-led carts.

In February 2008, a committee of villagers began discussing the need for a year-round water source and possible solutions. Villagers are raising 25 percent of the $3,441 cost for the water project.

An application will be submitted to the water company and materials purchased after villagers raise their portion, Cannon said.

About 197 feet of pipe will be connected to the main water line, providing a faucet for the village. Hopefully, the faucet will be installed in early March before the hot season.

Cannon estimates about 200 villagers will use the faucet.

Local residents and people around the United States have donated to the cause. Their contributions enabled Cannon to meet her goal of raising $962 for the project.

"I do not personally know everyone who contributed, but it is really cool that strangers thought this project is important and wanted to contribute," Cannon said.

Cannon's parents and brother, Will, visited her in Mali over the Christmas holidays.

Her mother spoke of female villagers' task in gathering water in a phone interview. She said women aren't just walking for water. In addition to toting 50 pounds of water atop their head, they may have children strapped to them.

Cecilia is very proud of her daughter's efforts.

"I am most proud that Katie is volunteering to spend two years of her life trying to help very poor people," Cecilia wrote in an e-mail.

Katie has left behind family, friends and comforts.

"She does have cold running water - but of course no air conditioning, hot water, refrigerator, microwave, television, computer, etc., etc., that we just take for granted in our very rich country," Cecilia said.

"Watching her interact with the people in Mali, I was very proud of her ability to bridge the divide between the two cultures and the greatly different economic status and bring smiles. She is a great personal ambassador for the U.S.," Cecilia said.

Will, a Clemson University freshman, also is proud of his sister.

"I'm proud of her for stepping out of her box of normalcy and going out on a limb, because it takes some courage to hop on a plane to live in an entirely different part of the world for two years," he wrote in an e-mail to the Herald-Journal.

Cannon's service in Mali has impacted her in many ways.

"I can eat rice seven days in a row and be thankful that I have food. I sympathize so much more with individuals that are trying to speak the native language. It's humbling knowing that you sound like a 5-year-old and yet people still listen without criticism. I can sit for hours (and laugh about it) waiting on a bus that is coming 'right away,' " Cannon said.

"My attitudes and perceptions on life have changed. I am so blessed that I have had the opportunity to serve my country, to work with some amazing Malians, and to live in a place so very different from America."

Read more about Cannon's service in Mali at her blog, "Katie's Adventure in Mali," at http://cannokm.blogspot.com/.

Cannon encourages people to visit the Peace Corps Web site, www.peacecorps.gov, to find out what other volunteers are trying to do around the world.





Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: February, 2009; Peace Corps Mali; Directory of Mali RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Mali RPCVs; Water





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Story Source: Group State

This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Mali; Water

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