I am DRutter, and this is week 38 of Mission: Agua-Possible! This post updates our progress toward the goal of 1300 USD (in STEEM), for a well pump to bring water to the family farm of @EdgarGonzalez.
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've heard about the country's recent turmoil, but the world's media isn't showing us even half the reality!
I began to see more and more Steem users from Venezuela, and I started to hear their interesting stories - and ask questions. I discovered some dark truths about the economic and political situation there. Most shops are empty, the currency is collapsing, people are hungry - the economy is at a standstill. Theft, corruption, and violence escalate as society breaks down. Those who can are fleeing on foot - 4 million already. The harsh socialist government attempts to control/fix the economy, and blames problems on the people. Most government services (like running water) work only in certain areas - or not at all.
The people are desperate for any change and protests sometimes fill the streets for miles. Maduro announced that Venezuela will no longer accept US Dollars for oil exports, then tried to get his country's gold back from Bank of England, who refused. The Russian military has become involved, supporting Maduro. The Americans back a man called Guaidó, who also has little public support. Electrical blackouts have become common. It seems that violence is coming. Stability for the people appears out of reach.
Edgar
Months ago, I found the blog of 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 earn 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 garden output has dropped - 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 tough situation. I wondered what a poor Canadian man could do to help. After using the Steem blockchain to learn about the problems, I realized that it could also be the SOLUTION!
That's when I first began 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 this pump for the farm as soon as possible is vital. Water is life!
Steem price flat, but a big donation kept us moving
A 5.0 Steem donation from @jk6276 and 2 from upvotes were more than able to offset a slight drop in Steem's price this week. Several people resteemed that post - thank you! We are accumulating supporters as we go along, and building a strong base to finish funding the project, hopefully in 2019.
Much appreciation to those who upvoted last week:
Week 38
week 37 funds: 304.699 Steem
new funds:
- week 37 post payout = 0.387 SBD and 1.054 STEEM POWER = 2.108 Steem
- 5.0 Steem direct donation from @jk6276
- you can send me Steem directly and your donation will be noted here
Total funds: 311.807 Steem
x 0.393 USD/Steem = $122.54 USD (of $1300)
Current progress: 9.4%
It was a week of consolidating our position just under the 10% mark. If the crypto market goes sideways for a while, our progress gains will be minimal, but when the bull market resumes we will surge toward 20%! Let's try and accumulate as much Steem at these prices while we can.
Edgar's family and neighborhood, who relied on the water from the aquifer under his land, continue to go without it. When the pump burned out, quite a few people had to start drinking questionable water, and/or walk long distances carrying containers of water bought or traded for nearby.
I can't imagine that being me, but a few years ago, neither could the people of Venezuela! Edgar was a professional man, and now picks wild fruit, and fishes in dangerous waters, to keep his family eating! They have waited for water long enough. Let's get this funded.
Upvoting this post is appreciated so much! 100% goes to the project.
Mission Agua-Possible will help many people, and inspire other great projects. It's a group success story, playing out on the Steem blockchain. Together, we're going to dramatically improve the lives of a whole neighborhood that really needs it!
DRutter
Steem precio plana, pero una gran donación nos mantuvo en movimiento
Una donación de 5,0 steem de @jk6276 y 2 de los votos superiores fueron más que capaces de compensar una ligera caída en el precio de Steem esta semana. Varias personas resteemed que post-gracias! Estamos acumulando seguidores a medida que nos acompañamos, y construyendo una base sólida para terminar de financiar el proyecto, esperemos que en 2019.
Fue una semana de consolidar nuestra posición justo debajo de la marca del 10%. Si el mercado cripto va de lado por un tiempo, nuestro progreso ganancias será mínimo, pero cuando el mercado alcista se reanuda vamos a la subida hacia el 20%! Intentemos acumular tanto Steem a estos precios mientras podamos.
La familia y el vecindario de Edgar, que dependían del agua del acuífero bajo su tierra, continúan sin ella. Cuando la bomba se quemó, bastantes personas tuvieron que empezar a beber agua cuestionable, y/o caminar largas distancias llevando contenedores de agua comprados o comercializados para cerca.
¡ No puedo imaginar que sea yo, pero hace unos años, ni el pueblo de Venezuela! Edgar era un hombre profesional, y ahora recoge la fruta silvestre, y los peces en aguas peligrosas, para mantener a su familia comiendo! Han esperado el agua lo suficiente. Vamos a financiar esto.
Muchas gracias!
DRutter