ABOUT 'WATER VOOR FILIPPIJNEN'

Reason

In the summer of 2007, Harmen van der Laan, M.Sc., a student of Civil Engineering specialising in Sanitary Engineering, undertook a three-month work placement in the Philippines. He worked there as a technical development worker for a Phillipinian development assistance organisation in a rural village. The purpose of his task was to research the drinking water problem and to design a drinking water system to solve the water shortage.
He was also charged with detailing the costs based on thorough quotations from local contractors and suppliers.

Upon his return home, the project continued to gnaw at him: for the Phillipinian people and the local organisation, it would be almost impossible to raise the required capital, whilst he had seen with his own eyes the urgency of the water shortage during his stay in the village. Once two other people had also become enthusiastic about the project, the three of them set to work in November 2007 to raise the required capital and to develop the plan further for the drinking water project.

Goal of the foundation

To that end, on 19 May 2008 'Stichting Water voor Filippijnen' was established. The goal of this foundation, as defined in the articles of association, is:

  • To enable water projects to be conducted in the Philippines, especially for the benefit of communities living in poverty.
     
    The foundation will attempt to achieve this goal by, amongst others:
    i) fundraising, ii) helping the local development assistance organisations in the Philippines in work and deed, iii) establishing, implementing and supporting (drinking)water projects, iv) the provision of structural advice and other advice in relation to (drinking) water, v) working in collaboration with Dutch and foreign organisations

From a tangible point of view, we have set the goal of raising the required capital (€ 50,000.00) for the Ambalgan drinking water project by 2009.