[Mission Aguapossible] We're making progress toward bringing water to thirsty families! Want to help?

It's week 8 of Mission Agua-possible! We're gathering Steem - equal to 1300 USD - to buy a pump for a neighborhood well. This will instantly provide years of clean drinking water for several families and a small farm in crisis-stricken Venezuela!

Background

Severe economic and political crisis over the past few years in the South American country of Venezuela intensified recently, as president Maduro doubled down on his currency manipulation, price-fixing, propagandizing citizens, and suppressing resistance. You may recall an attempted "drone attack" with explosives a few months ago - that's Venezuela. But it's far worse than the world's media is telling us.

I met a few interesting people from Venezuela, and I started to hear their stories - and ask questions. I discovered the dark truth about the economic and political situation there. Shops are empty, people are hungry - the economy is at a standstill. Theft, corruption, and violence escalate as society breaks down. Millions are fleeing on foot - if they can escape. The harsh socialist government attempts to control almost every aspect of life, and blames problems on the people. Most government services (like running water) work only in certain areas - or not at all. 2 weeks ago, Maduro announced that Venezuela will no longer accept US Dollars for oil exports, an act which brings more uncertainty for the people.

In the midst of all this, I met Edgar (@edgargonzalez), a Venezuelan man about my age. He's a father of young children, and a professional whose job disappeared because of the crisis. He feeds his family by fishing, foraging for fruits, and growing cassava on his late-father's plantation. He uses Steemit to share his stories and make Steem to buy food. Shortly after I met Edgar, a power outage caused a failure of the pump used to bring water up to the farm. A repairman confirmed the pump is beyond fixing. Edgar had been using his well to water his crops, and to provide drinking water to his children and other families in the neighborhood. Without a pump to bring water up from the aquifer, his gardens have withered - and the neighborhood must forage for water elsewhere.

Without government water services, and now without water from his well, Edgar and a few other families are in a dire situation. When I heard about this, through Steemit, I realized that Steemit could also be the SOLUTION!

That's when I stepped forward with Mission Agua-possible! Once we gather 1300 USD worth of Steem, I'll transfer it to Edgar, to be converted to cash to buy the pump.

Getting water flowing on the farm as soon as possible is vital. Water is life!

A growing community effort

Thanks to a slow but steady flow of upvotes each week, we're making a bit of Steem toward the goal! Resteems greatly increase our visibility. Each week is a new thread, and it needs resteeming and upvoting each time, if you're able to do so! (I've never asked for that for my own posts, but I have no problem asking for others to join me in supporting Edgar!)

Last week we got some support from @jk6276 - big thanks for pitching in once again!

Thank you to everybody who upvoted last week's post!

Week 8

week 7 funds: 41.188 Steem

new funds:

• week 7 payout = 0.354 SBD and 0.455 Steem = 0.91 Steem
• you can send me Steem directly and your donation will be added here

Total funds: 42.098 Steem

Current USD value: $32.00 (of $1300)

Current progress: 2.5%

Because the USD value of Steem dropped this week, our small nominal gain was swallowed up and we remained at 2.5% complete. Hopefully we make more forward progress this week!!

Upvoting this post helps - thank you so much! 100% goes toward the pump.

Mission Agua-possible will help many, and inspire other projects that help even more, making it a Steemit success story. Together, we'll cause a huge improvement in the lives of a whole neighborhood that really needs it!

DRutter