Wine to Water

Yesterday Justine, Emily, and I had a phone interview with Doc Hendley from Wine to Water yesterday for our research on water availability in Africa. His organization is aimed at providing clean water to communities. Doc was once a bartender and had a love for the bar crowd. He dreamed of something bigger, someway he could make a difference in this world. He now is the President and Founder of Wine to Water. They host wine events to raise money for the wells and work they do around the world. As an organization that does not have government funding, they are able to avoid the red tape. They have the liberty to go to the places people will not go, make relations with the powerless, and do not mark their well with a flag. They come along side the community, use locals, and try to make their projects as sustainable as possible. I think its a beautiful thing. During our interview we heard some crazy stories such as Doc going to Peru a few weeks ago and putting in 30 wells for 1,000 dollars. Crazy! And did I mention, he dug some wells with his own hands? Ha. He also spoke of when he lived in Sudan in 2004 and 2005. He went to the places governmental organizations do not want to go, which is near the rebels. As he was driving in his truck bullets were being shot at him. He decided to go over near the rebels and talk to them. He went to them and talked to them about why he is there and told them that water is a basic right; it should not be a privilege. He fixed their wells and went on his way. If that is no BA then I don't know what is.
I want to get involved in this cause. I love the idea of hosting wine parties for a good cause and the money going towards wells, sanitation systems, and health/water education in different countries. Did you know that dirty water kills more people then HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis combined? I did not either.
More importantly, pray and act for this cause.
P.s. My part of the project is the health side of water... so beyond intriguing!

Check it out and vote for him as one of CNN's heroes for 2009.