There must be something in the water
TWU alumni participates in internship for developing nations
September 30, 2007
Lauren Thompson
Every year, 1.1 billion people face the daily reality of life without clean, safe water. According to the World Health Organization, 1.8 million people die every year from diarrhoeal diseases, which are transmitted through contaminated water sources. 90 per cent of these victims are under the age of five.
To combat these startling statistics, TWU alumni Jeff Town is taking action by participating in a six month internship installing water filters in developing nations.
On Sept. 10, the former Communications student who graduated in 2003, flew 32 hours from his home in Calgary to Malawi, a small African country landlocked on the continent’s south-western side. After 3 weeks of language training in Malawi’s capitol, Town will work in a small village installing water filters for the native population.
As a participant in this highly-sought-after internship with Samaritan’s Purse, Town will help promote the use of Canadian-created BioSand Water Filters in areas prone to diarrhoeal disease. Over 70 000 such filters have been installed world-wide to date.
But his role extends past simply installing the water filters. “Our goal is to create discussion in the community there, and empower [the Malawi people], while leaving them their dignity,” said Town.
During his six month stay, he will work to educate the people on various aspects of community health, not only in water safety, but also in AIDS/HIV prevention and disaster relief. “We want to let them come to their own conclusions,” he said, emphasizing the responsibility given to the native people affected.
Town considered the opportunity after feeling unsatisfied with his current career in management at Holt Renfrew, a leading Canadian department store.
“It hit me,” he said, “Am I happy? Am I passionate about what I’m doing?” His answer was a decisive ‘no.’ Even though his store—and salary—was expanding, he quit Holt Renfrew despite an upcoming bonus and promotion.
“I felt God challenging me to step up and step out,” he explained, “I needed a tangible experience to have faith.”
So he found himself applying for the risky internship—only twelve Canadians per year are chosen to participate—and is now on his way to “meeting people’s human needs, and creating an environment for change,” his dual motivations for being involved in the program.
Town is still uncertain where he will end up after these six months. “Hopefully I will network with other NGO’s [while in Africa], or perhaps go back to school,” he said. But one thing in his life is certain: “No matter what, I want to be open to rely on God.”
Now you go...
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