Elephant Pump - Pump Aid in Malawi
Channel: MalawiWater
Date: 22/03/2013

Make an #impact on #worldwaterday with #pumpaid at www.pumpaid.org/donate

In August of 2012 Film Editor Stephen Mirrione and VFX Supervisor Sheena Duggal visited rural villages in Malawi for the UK water charity Pump Aid. The two met while working on THE HUNGER GAMES, last year's blockbuster based on the best-selling book by Suzanne Collins starring Jennifer Lawrence. Duggal, who had previously volunteered in Zimbabwe Africa photo-documenting Pump Aid's work there, shared her pictures and stories with Mirrione and the two decided to go to Africa between movie projects, this time with video cameras and bring back first person stories showing the impact of the work being done there.

Duggal: "My childhood friend, Gwen Vaughan (Pump Aid CEO) and our translator, Mishek Vwemu (Pump Aid Programmes Officer in Malawi), took Stephen and I to rural areas all over Malawi. We camped in villages to capture the ritual of water collection and talk to people about their lives and how access to clean water has impacted them. I am not a do-gooder, in fact I think my actions are selfishly motivated, not only did it bring me great joy to see the functioning community necessary for basic survival, I also gained a unique perspective in contrast to my normal role in Hollywood. We were privileged that these courageous people shared their stories and it is our hope you will share the joy of giving and get involved to help make a difference to the people who have less good fortune than we do."

Mirrione: "What inspired me to get involved was hearing from Sheena how much impact a single low cost pump could have on an entire community. Even a small donation would have a ripple effect on generations of women and children in those villages. Her pictures captured such joy as the pumps were installed, I wanted to experience it first hand. In doing so, I was really moved by the warmth and generosity of all the people we were introduced to, and how deeply grateful they were to the people of Pump Aid for bringing them such a basic fundamental human need...clean water."

Clean water is the first step on the journey of eradicating extreme poverty. You will impact people now and for generations to come with your help.  www.pumpaid.org/donate