The reason for this blog

Veolia Water UK are sending a representative to the 2010 WaterAid Supporter's trip to Bangladesh, and I've been fortunate enough to be selected.

I will be given the opportunity to see WaterAid projects in Bangladesh first hand, participate in the project work and to be an ambassador for Veolia Water and for WaterAid during my 7 day visit to Bangladesh in late November 2010.

The purpose of this blog is to raise awareness of the the work WaterAid does, and the activities Veolia Water undertakes in supporting WaterAid by documenting my experience before, during and after the trip.

I aim to use this blog to keep you informed of my preparations ahead of the trip, what I learn about WaterAid and what they do in Bangladesh, and of course my experience in Bangladesh itself- the WaterAid projects, the Bangladeshi people etc.

Why did I apply...

Me hard at work!

As mentioned in my profile on this blog my name is Daniel and I work for Veolia Water on behalf of Dwr Cymru in Cardiff. My background is IT so your probably wondering...




....Why did I apply for the WaterAid Supporter's Trip to Bangladesh?

Back in 2008 I travelled through South West India, and during my trip I noticed that while I was urged to only drink bottled water, a significant amount of the local population tended to use open rivers and waterways to wash, drink and use as sanitation. It made me appreciate WaterAid’s vision that everyone should have access to safe water & sanitation.

 When I read about the trip to Bangladesh, I saw it as an opportunity to return to the sub continent in order to do something constructive to help the lives of others in a developing country.

Me in India, 2008

As anyone who works for a water company will no doubt have encountered the following  question :“If water falls from the sky, why should I pay for it? which I feel underlines how lucky we are in the developed world to be able to take access to clean drinking water and sanitation for granted.

Having contributed to WaterAid for years I can’t wait to see first hand the impact their work has on people’s lives in the developing world. I’m also looking forward to engaging with the local community members in Bangladesh and detailing these experiences on a blog so everyone can see how their support for WaterAid has a positive impact.

What to expect...

On Wednesday, 13th Oct WaterAid held a briefing day at their offices in London. It was great to meet the other representatives going on the trip, but the main point of the meeting was to discuss what to expect on during the trip to Bangladesh on 27th November.


The rough overview of what to expect included:

 

Team photo at WaterAid's office

• A "day in the life" - an in depth experience of life without clean water & sanitation with a local family
• A chance to meet local WaterAid partners
• An opportunity to see 1st hand how WaterAid use the funds raised in the UK to transform people's lives.

Personally, I can't wait to meet people from Bangladeshi communities and get an understanding of how WaterAid uses the funds we raise in the UK by meeting the local people... I'll be taking my camera with me and intend to post experiences, pictures, facts etc on this very blog!



Contact me:danwateraid2010@gmail.com

Fund raising

As previously mentioned, the purpose of this trip is to inform about WaterAid's work through personal experience, enabling them to return to the UK with greater knowledge and renewed motivation, to be ever more effective fundraisers and advocates.

As I have had so much interest and questions about the forthcoming trip, I felt it would be a good opportunity to incorporate a fund raising element to this blog. 

I will be seeing first hand how WaterAid uses our donations, for an example of how WaterAid spends our donations click here.

The cost of your gift will go towards WaterAid's water, sanitation and hygiene projects in Asia and Africa as well as related support costs, to ensure WaterAid keeps on helping more communities long into the future.


If you have any specific questions or request regarding the forthcoming trip, contact me here (danwateraid2010@gmail.com) for further information on WaterAid visit www.wateraid.org