by Fern Shaw | Nov 14, 2011 | Uncategorized
All functions within the body require the presence of water, and in order for these functions to occur efficiently, the body needs to be hydrated. All chemical processes involve energy metabolism and drinking plenty of water will make us feel more energetic and boost your metabolic rate. “Drink 8 glasses of water each day” is what we hear all the time but what weight loss benefits do we get from drinking water?
Drinking water is important if you’re trying to lose weight, some studies have shown that thirst and hunger sensations are triggered together. If there is a slight dehydration your body may mistake thirst for hunger which will result in more food been eaten when what actually is needed is fluid. Most food products do contain some water, but eating more food to sustain your bodies need for fluid has the negative effect of gaining more weight as opposed to losing it.
So many new food products created today not only contain high amounts of energy from added sugar and fats, they also contain very little water. In order for manufacturers to adhere to the ever popular need for food to be stored for longer periods, the water content is being replaced. Food with high water content tends to soil much faster. Stocking our cupboards full of food that lasts longer may seem great in principle, but the trouble is that this means less water consumption from food.
We constantly rid ourselves of water through our kidneys during our visits to the bathroom, through perspiration and even through breathing. Therefore, the water we lose needs constantly to be replaced for the body to remain hydrated. The most effective way to replace water that’s been lost is simply to drink more water.
It’s not too difficult to replace caffeinated or sugary drinks with a glass or two of water, yet the benefits of doing so are enormous. We should keep a water bottle on our desks and in our cars, to make drinking water that much more convenient. A water cooler in an office or at home can also aid the desire to drink more water.
For the average person experts suggest getting at least 1.8 litres of water daily or eight 8 glasses. If you are on a diet to lose weight it is more important to consume more and keep drinking water throughout the day, unless you have any medical condition that doesn’t allow much water intake. A good guide for daily intake is to drink 30 millilitres of water for every1 kilogram of body weight. A 90 kilogram person should be drinking around 2 litres (12.5 cups) of water in order the gain the benefits of increased energy and metabolism.
If exercising is part of a weight loss program a bit more water should be included to account for water loss from sweating. Drinking water before, during and after exercise will keep energy levels high and help recovery after training. It is highly recommend that during exercise you carry with you a bottle of water and to keep drinking during your workout.
One of the functions of the liver is the metabolising of fat however without sufficient water for the kidneys to function properly; the liver gets called upon to do some of the work the kidneys should be doing alone. The liver can then not work as efficiently as it should and so the results in more fat being stored in the body and thus increased weight.
by Fern Shaw | Oct 27, 2011 | Uncategorized
The Africa Trust was founded by AquAid to achieve sustainable solutions to poverty. Every time you order a water cooler or water from AquAid a percentage of the revenue is donated to The Africa Trust.
Partnership with Dorcas Aid International in Mozambique
A request was received from Dorcas Aid Mozambique for assistance with their rural clean water supply projects near Beira. They are well aware of the success of the Elephant Pump programme in Zimbabwe and Malawi and have asked whether The Africa Trust could work with them to introduce a similar programme in Mozambique. Agreement has now been reached in principle, and details of the partnership are being worked out prior to surveys and preparatory work which will start next month.
The installation of quite a number of Elephant Pumps in Mozambique will be paid for through the contributions from users of AquAid water coolers. Funding from Dorcas Aid, will allow for their staff to be trained so that they are able to start installing Elephant Pumps themselves in areas where this technology is suitable. This will mean that the funding they now commit each year for rural water supply will reach many more people and that the cost of maintaining the programme will be massively reduced. The first pumps will be installed early next year as there is first need for baseline surveys and well digging work which may be delayed by rain. There are also plans for collaboration in other projects such as the introduction of business skills training courses and income generation projects for orphanages, schools and clinics.
Tanzania Pipeline
Survey work has now commenced for a water pipeline near Arusha in Tanzania which will bring clean water to thousands of villagers. The Chief Executive of The Africa Trust will visit the site next month, to approve the surveyed route so that digging of the trench by the local community can commence. Contributions from AquAid water coolers will pay only for the pipes and other fittings, as the labour will be provided by the local community. It is vital that the pipeline is laid on a gradual downward gradient to avoid air locks or the need for a diesel pump. The topography of the area means that the trench will therefore need to be dug several metres deep in sections which will all be done by the community who expect to benefit from the project. The Africa Trust will also assist the community in setting up a development fund using contributions from families who will be saving a significant amount due to their reduced monthly expenditure on water. A maintenance fund will also be established, so that the benefits can be sustained for generations to come.
Focus on Uganda
The Africa Trust’s business skills training programme in Uganda is doing well and has been expanded. In addition to the team leader (Livingstone Mukasa) three more people are now being funded to teach business skills in poor communities. They are: Phillip Mwanja, Betty Owomugisha and Sarah Nantongo. The Africa Trust was able to assist with a loan of six thousand pounds for Najja Modern Primary School to expand and move to a new campus. Here is a photo of assembly at the new campus.
A survey has just been completed to review the efficiency of the business skills training (funded by AquAid and PrintLife) which was done in April and May this year. A total of 252 people were trained and a sample of 51 people was interviewed. From the survey, it was discovered that: 13 people were able to start businesses after attending the training, 26 people now run their businesses better after attending the training, 9 people feel able to start up business but are still limited by the lack of initial capital and 3 people are still planning and mobilizing resources to start business. 40 more people are now being employed (as a result of the businesses created after the training) in addition to the 74 people who were previously employed before the training (see the details in the table below).
| VENUE |
SAMPLE |
ATTENDED |
EMPLOYED BEFORE |
EMPLOYED AFTER |
| KIREKA |
7 |
9 |
3 |
5 |
| KATALEMWA |
5 |
8 |
– |
– |
| KOMAMBOGA |
8 |
45 |
25 |
29 |
| BAKKA |
5 |
128 |
– |
6 |
| OFFICE |
3 |
20 |
28 |
42 |
| KIRINYA |
23 |
42 |
18 |
32 |
| TOTAL |
51 |
252 |
74 |
11 |
Please click on the link below to read up on some of the sucess stories that show how this training can be transformational.Some of the challenges faced by those who were trained include: lack of access to capital and exorbitant rates of interest on loans, high inflation and personnel problems. On the whole, it can be seen that those who attended the training have demonstrated: an improved ability to save, the courage to start a new business, improved record keeping and financial discipline (especially with regards to separation of personal needs from business finance) and better planning.
Please click on the link below to read up on some of the sucess stories that show how this training can be transformational.
by Fern Shaw | Sep 30, 2011 | Uncategorized
Cleaner slum brings hope for the future
Christian Aid would like to thank all the people who have chosen to buy Aquaid water coolers, water dispensers and bottled water. By choosing Aquaid, you have helped to improve and often save the lives of the world’s poorest people. This is because Aquaid donate 10p to Christian Aid for every 19 litre bottle of water that they sell and donate £50 for every new water cooler they install when a Christian Aid supporter has made the order.The money raised by Aquaid is used specifically for water projects around the world; helping to bring clean water and sanitation to places like the slum settlement of Matopeni in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. You can meet the people who are benefiting from this work by watching this video: https://www.aquaidwatercoolers.co.uk/why-we-do-it/christian-aid
Below is an update on the progress of this project
Just over one year ago, the residents of Matopeni in the east of Nairobi faced a daily struggle to survive. Without clean water or working drains, conditions in the small slum were so unsanitary that life-threatening diseases were common. But in July 2010 Christian Aid partner Maji na Ufanisi began work to improve the slum’s drains and provide clean water for residents. At the same time, the local government agreed to fund a new sanitation block with shower and toilet facilities. Today the slum’s residents report little illness since the drains were completed in November. Lydia Kithuku – whose daughters Catherine and Everlyne campaigned to bring clean water and sanitation to Matopeni along with their friend Veronica Milla – says, ‘It is a very big change in terms of diseases like malaria and diarrhoea.’
Alongside improving Matopeni’s infrastructure, Maji na Ufanisi has trained community members in advocacy and leadership giving them the confidence to ensure their government provides the services they need. So when the community decided they needed a water tank to see them through the last few months until the pipes that Maji na Ufanisi are laying are completed, Veronica Milla successfully lobbied the community’s MP to provide one. The project has reinforced Matopeni’s community spirit with residents leading work since it began. Working together they have cleared waste, worked with Maji na Ufanisi to make space for the new drains and laboured on the project, investing time and energy into making it a success. They have seen that they can drive their own future and now have the skills to do so. And a recent visit to Kiambiu slum which was organised for members of Matopeni’s Arise and Shine women’s group and communities from other slums around Nairobi has only reinforced this. Like Matopeni’s community, Kiambiu’s residents lived for years with the constant threat of eviction, relying on the little casual work that is available in Nairobi for income. But using money saved through their own water and sanitation project they bought their own land on the outskirts of Nairobi where they will build homes, roads and other infrastructure. ‘They thought of a future plan,’ says Everlyne Kithuku. ‘Now they are planning to build houses for each and every member of the group. It was really a challenge for us – that we could buy some land and set up small businesses and become self-employed.’
Once again, thank you for choosing Aquaid and for helping Christian Aid in our mission to end poverty. If you are not already an Aquaid customer and would like to become one, simply quote this article when you order Aquaid water coolers or water dispensers and £50 will be donated for each new cooler installed. 10p will then be donated for every 19-litre bottle of water you buy.
by Fern Shaw | Sep 29, 2011 | Uncategorized
Changing one’s lifestyle habits can often prove to be a challenge. Many of you are by now very aware of the importance of drinking water and the positive effects it has on you, but are struggling to get into the routine of drinking water all day and every day. Here are some simple, yet very effective methods of not only encouraging you to drink sufficient water during the day, but may also help you to enjoy it.
Steps to forming a drinking water habit!
- Drink water throughout the day, not just when you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated by then. Have a glass of water when you wake up, a glass of water between each meal, a glass of water with each meal and a glass before during and after any form of exercise.
- Have a bottle of water on your desk or carry one around with you. This will encourage you to sip water throughout the working day. Once it is empty, simple return to the water cooler or water dispenser and refill it.
- Reminder. Periodically set your computer or a watch to remind you to drink water. Don’t allow yourself to get too caught up in what you are doing and forget to drink your water.
- Note it down. Noting your new good habit in black and white will encourage you to keep up the good work! Simply note it down by the means of a tick each time you have a glass of water. This way you can also track and note just how much water you are drinking during the day.
- Liven it up. For some a glass of water really is not the most tempting thing that is out there. Add some Natural flavours like Strawberry and Kiwi or some Lemon and Lime to make a quenching drink. Perhaps invest in some interesting ice cube trays or cut up and freeze some fresh fruit which will add flavour as well as a bit of fun to your water.
- Exercise. Ensure that when you plan your exercise regime you include time to drink water before, during and after your workout. Being dehydrated can severely hamper you athletic ability, slowing you down and making exercise tedious.
- Weight Loss. If you are trying to lose a few pounds, remind yourself that water has no fat, no calories, no carbs and no sugar.
- Finally invest in a water cooler! It is far more appealing than the kitchen tap offering water that is both chilled and filtered!
The secret to successfully changing one’s habit is to ensure that at all times your goal is right in front of you, never allowing you to forget it. If your goal is to drink more water and stay healthy, perhaps try a few of these guidelines, forming a habit does not need to be difficult, it may simple require a bit of focus.
by Fern Shaw | Sep 21, 2011 | Uncategorized
The Africa Trust was founded by AquAid to achieve sustainable solutions to poverty. Every time you order a water cooler or water from AquAid a percentage of the revenue is donated to The Africa Trust.
Elephant Pumps provide Clean Water for Drinking and Water for Agriculture
This month, work has continued on the Elephant Pump programme in Zimbabwe with new pumps being built and additional work being done to increase the impact of the existing pumps. Over 5,000 pumps are managed by The Africa Trust, which provide clean and productive water in communities across the country. Business skills training for people who already use Elephant Pumps has helped them to use excess water to establish new agricultural projects such as growing baby marrows, sweet-corn, beetroots, carrots, wheat and livestock projects such as dairy cattle, chickens and pigs. A brick making project has also been established which uses large volumes of water from one Elephant Pump.
A process of carbon accreditation has been commenced which is expected to take around 12-18 months. If successful, this will allow The Africa Trust to sell carbon credits every year relating to the existing pumps and any new pumps that are built to provide a fund for pump maintenance. The basis for this is that these pumps do not use fuel to lift water and the self-filtering design of the wells means that there is no need for water to be boiled thereby reducing the burning of firewood. A precedent exists since IDE (International Development Enterprises) secured carbon accreditation for their pumps inIndiaandBangladesh. A further funding stream is being explored for advertising on pumps, preferably for products that relate to health and agriculture. We are looking for a large company that sells products in Zimbabwe and would be interested in advertising on rural pumps for PR and marketing reasons. These funds will help in the training and support of pump minders for all the existing pumps.
The increase of livestock projects in one district of Zimbabwe over the last few months led to The Africa Trust agreeing to help fund construction of a high quality butchery to provide a reliable market for rural farmers and a route to the larger markets of local cities which they are unable to access directly. This butchery has already secured contracts to provide meat to various businesses and retail outlets in Mutare, so there is now a need for further investment in the production base. Similarly, with the increase in dairy cattle funded by The Africa Trust, work has commenced to develop a local dairy with the capacity to pasteurize milk and produce yoghurt and soft cheese. There are plans for a mobile ice-cream maker to be funded as an additional business, which would provide ice-creams for retail and at large events.
A new clean water initiative is now being planned in Tanzania where a pipeline is to be extended to provide thousands of villagers with clean water for drinking and domestic use. The gravity fed pipeline was established by the chief executive of The Africa Trust with funding from friends in The States, in an area where the water table is too deep for the use of Elephant Pumps. He surveyed a route from a source of clean water at the top of a hill and conservatively arranged for a dozen standpipes with taps to provide clean water in a nearby village. It is now clear that the water supply is adequate for an extension of this pipeline to double the number of people who can benefit. The pipeline replaces an expensive arrangement where villagers were paying around six US dollars per month per family to buy water by the bucket. The new arrangement will reduce the amount they pay to one dollar a month, which pays for maintenance of the pipeline and taps. We are also planning to ask for a two dollar a month contribution to a development fund for the village, which will provide loans and grants for small businesses.
Where there is clean water, decent sanitation is also needed and work continues with the aim of eradicating open defecation in the communities where The Africa Trust is operating. The Elephant Toilet is being used as with adaptations to the design according to what works best and is accepted in that community. The concept that urine can safely be used to make enriched compost is being widely accepted. A number of approaches to hand-washing have been used, including a soap plant and ashes from the family cooking fire which also have a sterilizing effect. Elephant Toilets are also eligible for carbon accreditation due to the reduced cement use and the programme for a fruit tree to be planted whenever a pit fills up. There are challenges in the widespread introduction of Elephant Toilets in Zimbabwe, just as there were when the Elephant Pump programme was launched. The main obstacle is that NGOs and government authorities have settled on a much more expensive design for rural pit latrines which uses eight bags of cement instead on one bag. We are trying to show that the same money can go much further if a cheaper and more sustainable design of toilet is used. The need is even greater in Malawi, where open defecation is the norm in many remote rural villages.
Paying for School fees with Bananas
The first harvest of bananas for this project is due to take place soon and despite various challenges along the way, this project is expected to deliver according to expectations paying for 500 students to remain in school. An unusually cold snap did result in some losses in the plantations that are less sheltered and issues around the quality of fencing also resulted in some losses and in a need for additional investment. These experiences have helped to inform plans for a scale up of this programme in the second season and have also led The Africa Trust to rent a piece of land to establish an independent plantation in order to generate income to help fund projects in the local communities. This plantation is expected to become profitable by the second harvest. The level of investment needed in terms of irrigation infrastructure is now known, so it is easier to make accurate predictions related to revenue.
Uganda
Livingstone Mukasa has continued to make excellent progress for The Africa Trust in Uganda with the business skills training programme. A number of case-studies from Uganda and Zimbabwe will be loaded onto the website in the coming months to show how this training can be transformational. Fourteen training courses were held inUgandaover the last quarter alone with a total of 600 people trained. Successful businesses which have resulted from this training include: a laundry business, brick-making, milk selling, egg-plant growing and a bridal business. A mushroom growing project has been started with some success, but the attempted solar project did not prove viable. Additional funding ($9,000) was secured by Livingstone to commence a Village Savings and Loans Association scheme ahead of planned investment by The Africa Trust which is expected to help build the total number of VSLA groups. A similar scheme is currently being considered for Zimbabwe which would allow villagers access to small loans at a better rate of interest than is currently available.
AquAid and the Africa Trust
The Africa Trust was established by AquAid Water Coolers. AquAid are one of the UK’s leading water cooler suppliers and pride themselves in their relationships with both The Africa Trust and Christian Aid. With every water cooler product ordered from AquAid a percentage of the revenue is donated to The Africa Trust and is used to provide sustainable solutions to poverty. In August 2011 £61,909.55 was donated to the Trust making that a total donation to date of £588637.10.
by Fern Shaw | Sep 5, 2011 | Uncategorized
Corporate Social Responsibility demonstrates the ‘heart’ of your organisation. It involves understanding your impact on communities and the environment and taking responsibility in meeting or even exceeding the ethical, legal, commercial and public expectations that society has of your business.
We as a company are committed to acting responsibly and most importantly motivating others to make a difference. Sharing the responsibility in the world in which we all operate should be an integral part of your working day. We believe that making a difference is complimentary to a commercial success.
An important part of AquAid’s mission is to provide sustainable solutions to poverty and aid in emergency relief where needed. We are able to achieve this via our partnerships with both Christian Aid and Pump Aid and so can you! By using AquAid as your water cooler supplier you are bringing life and hope to some of the world’s neediest families. You will be sharing in the responsibility we have taken on in bringing safe, fresh disease free water to countries in the Third World. When you choose AquAid you will not only be getting a good quality product with an unrivalled service, you will playing an integral part in bringing hope where it is needed most and aid in breaking the cycle of poverty. Paul Searle, Managing Director of AquAid said “The sign of a great partnership is where business, charity and community all work together.”
By involving your employees in this partnership you will not only be inspiring them but also offering a sense of belonging in your organisation. You will be providing your staff with not only a healthy working environment but creating a sense of employee satisfaction and loyalty. Working next to each other creates responsibility and you will be actively developing a policy that promotes a positive and sustainable social contribution. Your CSR decisions will also give your organisation a competitive edge and enhance your credibility.
The small choice of your water cooler can go a very long way in aiding your company’s Corporate Social Responsibility. By simply switching to AquAid you will be doing your part in changing lives forever. So far with the help of our partners, AquAid have donated in Excess of 5 Million pounds benefitting millions of children and families in the Third World.
