Hello from Somaliland! The ClaySure Consultant Team is currently in Hargeisa, Somaliland, performing a feasibility study with the German Red Cross and the Somaliland Red Crescent. We are very impressed by the staff and networking capabilities of both organizations, and now must only determine whether or not the filter can be produced here. Today we met with the Ministry of Health, and with several local women potters who will be the employees of the factory, should it be established. Though the women have never used machines to make pottery, they are very skilled at traditional hand building, and will learn how to operate the press quickly. We will also teach them how to fire kilns, since they are accustomed only to very low-temperature pit firings.
Soon we will visit the potential factory sites, and a few of the local water sources. Because Somaliland is so arid, the main sources of water are surface rain collection (wet season) and shallow hand-dug wells (dry riverbeds ? dry season). Since surface water becomes contaminated very quickly, the filter will really make a big impact on the quality of the water being consumed in Somaliland. Here we have a picture of the potters and their work in the village (above) and a group picture (below) which includes the German Red Cross staff, the Somaliland Red Crescent staff, the two women potters (front row), and the ClaySure Consultant Team. More to come!

In April, the ClaySure consultant team will head to Northern Somalia (Somaliland) to perform a factory feasibility study with the Red Cross. Filter production continues in Limuru, Kenya and the Chujio team there is busy filling a 2000-filter order for UNICEF. (Two thousand filters can provide approximately 12,000 individuals with safe drinking water!) We are also pleased to announce that Week of Compassion has awarded ClaySure with a $5,000 grant. Thank you for your continued support. Remember to tell your friends, families, and coworkers about the wonderful things going on at ClaySure!

The ClaySure project in Kenya has been successfully completed, and filters continue to be produced in the village of Limuru. We ask that you keep our Kenyan friends and partners in your thoughts and prayers while the country struggles to maintain peace during the elections. If you are able, please help support our upcoming unfunded projects in Malawi and Uganda!