UPDATE: These photos were taken in Ankyease, Ghana. They show the needs assessment in May 2012 and project implementation beginning in March 2013. This album is updated as new photos taken on-site become available.

Millions of people who live in rural Ghana and Liberia have a problem: The only water they can get is contaminated and makes them sick. Jerry Buie and the Queer Spirit community in Salt Lake City, Utah have the answer. Starting November 10th a series of drum circle fundraisers, in connection with media awareness campaigns, will be launched to raise the $7,000 required to provide the residents of one village in Ghana with a bore hole, and $2,000 for a hand dug well in a Liberian village. These new water sources will provide clean water for drinking, cooking, washing, and irrigating. Jerry and friends are engaged in a cause that will literally save lives and forever improve the quality of life for hundreds of people. Ankyease is the first village that will benefit from the QueerSpirit Water Project.

In his monthly email, Jerry said, "Last week in a Sweat Lodge Ceremony, the prayers and words spoken in behalf of water touched me deeply.  I have come to listen to my intuition in that sacred place of the lodge. ...The same water for which you can get up and get from your sink,  people in parts of African must travel two to three hours a day to retrieve....In the lodge I thought,  how it is that this resource we pray and give thanks, perhaps might be calling us to be of service, if you will, to put our prayer and words to work! "
We are grateful for Jerry's generosity and willingness to follow his inspiration to make a difference for our friends in Ankyease!
For details about these upcoming fundraising events sponsored by QueerSpirit, please visit this link to their website (QueerSpirit.org - mature content advisory). Donations are tax deductible, and can be made to Africa Heartwood Project at any time in the name of the QueerSpirit Water Project. All funds are held in reserve in Donor Managed Fund for this specific project, and when enough funds are available the project will be implemented.
Event Details In Memory of Glen Huling Diane Huling has requested that in lieu of flowers for her recently departed husband's memorial services, donations be made to the Queer Spirit Water Project, giving life and vitality to those in need. Here is the link to make a donation in memory of Glen Huling. Benefit Concert with Leraine Horstmanshoff, The Hardy Brothers, and the Africa Heartwood Drum & Dance Ensemble March 2, 2013 (Saturday), 7-10pm, SLC Facebook Event Page Fliers for the Benefit Concert: Click for link to Benefit Cocnert Poster (pdf file) Thank you to Dancing Cranes Imports for hosting the Concert, and for also donating proceeds from their unique jute bag sales to this Village Water Project! Links to support our Benefit Concert event sponsors The Hardy Brothers Leraine Horstmanshoff The Africa Heartwood Drum & Dance Ensemble Dancing Cranes Imports Cuisine Unlimited KPDR Channel 19 Water Wellness PRIOR QUEER SPIRIT WATER PROJECT EVENTS Drumming Workshop with Andy Jones February 9, 2013 (Saturday), 2-6pm, SLC Facebook Page link Email Blast link

FUND RAISING PROGRESS Donation Goal: $7,000.00 Donations Made: $9,985.76 Oct 29-Nov 9, 2012: $600 Nov 10, 2012 - Drum Workshop & Lodge: $930 Nov 11-Dec 31, 2012: $1,300 Jan 1-25, 2013: $590 Feb 9, 2013 - Drum Workshop & Lodge: $749 March 2, 2013 - Benefit Concert @ Dancing Crane: $3,320.76 March 2, 2013 - Silent Auction at Benefit Concert: $2,320.00 March 10, 2013 - Singing Circle benefit by Stacey Cole: $176 Donations Needed: $0.00 - FUND RAISING COMPLETE! Help QueerSpirit by Making a Donation for Clean Water Today! General Donation for QueerSpirit Water Project In Memory of Glen Huling

As of 11.15pm March 2nd, at the close of the Benefit Concert, enough funds have been raised to complete the QueerSpirit Water Project ($7,000), PLUS finance another hand dug well in Liberia ($2,000), PLUS take us half way to yet a third village water project in Liberia ($985.76). We extend our most heartfelt thanks to all who donated time, goods, prayers, services, sweat (literally!) and money to make this community-based effort to beautiful success! Bore hole work will begin within a week!

Photos from the Benefit Concert on March 2, 2013

In the news!

http://www.thegayhotspot.com/columns/health/queer-spirit-is-revamping-its-offerings-to-the-community/

Learn more about Africa Heartwood Project's other successful Village Water Projects in West Africa, and how we have provided clean water to thousands of individuals in rural communities over the past 4 years.