From wine to water
by
Emma Masters
If you live in Bangladesh and drink water from one of the many ground wells, you’re lucky if the naturally occuring arsenic in the water gives you nasty skin lesions. For the unlucky, death is the result of prolonged exposure to the poisoned water.
Seventy-five per cent of Bangladesh’s population is affected by drinking arsenic-contaminated groundwater, a situation the World Health Organisation describes as “the largest mass poisoning of a population in history”.
When UniSA social science student Janine Tuffery met Bangladeshi Professor Profulla Sarker during his visit to Adelaide in October last year, the stories she heard about arsenic-filled water in Bangladesh moved her to action.
“The stories are shocking. We’re talking about 85 million people affected or killed by arsenic that leaches from rocks into the ground water,” Tuffery said.
“Those who can afford it drink bottled water. But Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in the world, so many people don’t have that option.”
Tuffery is spearheading an aid project between UniSA and Bangladesh’s Rajshahi University to deliver to Bangladesh 500 large containers that store fresh rainwater.
“We’ve found a suitable low-cost water container,” Tuffery said.
“They’re large 200-litre bladders used to store bulk wine. They’re sterile and light-weight, they can easily be transported and they’re relatively cheap and reusable.
“We forwarded one to Professor Sarker, he ran tests and contacted us to say it was a success. He immediately drew up a proposal.
“We now need money to purchase and distribute the bladders.”
Dubbed Bladders for Bangladesh, the project is supported by social science lecturer Peter Lumb and a committee of fellow students. The group is working to deliver the bladders and implement a pilot project before the monsoon season in June 2006.
“Bangladesh has high rainfall, so it has a resource just waiting to be harnessed,” Tuffery said.
“But collecting rain is not a traditional practice in Bangladesh, so education and training is also a crucial part of the project.”
A field placement exchange with Rajshahi University, where UniSA students will travel to Bangladesh to help distribute bladders and conduct community education programs, is being drawn up.
The Bladders for Bangladesh campaign to raise $12,000 has just begun – and it’s already attracting some attention.
ARIA award-winning musician Ben Lee got behind the cause at his recent Adelaide concert with Missy Higgins. He spoke about the project and urged the audience to dig deep and show how music, and people, can change the world.
And a recent article in the Independent Weekly resulted in a generous reader, who wishes to remain anonymous, donating $5500.
Tuffery said she was “absolutely over the moon” and is now able to purchase and order the bladders, which take six weeks to process.
The group can now focus on raising funds for distribution and community education.
For more information, contact Janine Tuffery tufjg001@students.unisa.edu.au