This month, we bring you updates from two exciting programs in Nicaragua (progress on bringing clean water to 100,00 people and micro-loans for entrepreneurs) and an interview of two inspiring women who are running a long way to raise funds and awareness for EOS International. We're also giving you the opportunity to buy an EOS dri-fit shirt!

In addition, we are proud to announce our 2013 social media campaign: Clean Water for a Better Future, which will kick off in early May. This year we hope to raise awareness about the lack of access to clean drinking water in Nicaragua and much of the developing world. We also hope to raise funds to reach our goal of providing clean water to 100,000 people by July 2014.

Since the start of the year, EOS has rapidly brought clean water to rural Nicaraguans, installing water chlorination systems in 69 new communities. That means we are 75% complete with our large 92-chlorinator project! Since July 2011, the EOS team has installed water chlorination systems in 107 different communities across Nicaragua impacting over 65,000 people. These numbers are only growing, and our goal is to reach 100,000 people by July 2014, just three years after starting this program!

The Nicaraguan Department of Health has noticed our impact and recently proposed adding systems to 15 additional communities. To keep up with the recent demand for EOS technologies, we added another member to our Nicaragua staff, Heriberto, a skilled mechanic, who has assisted in the fabrication and installation of many water chlorinators.

Just as important as it is to provide Nicaraguans with access to clean water, it is equally imperative to teach the practice of using it.  Wes Meier, EOS Co-Founder, explained just how vital it is to educate Nicaraguans on something we take for granted everyday.

“We are focusing a lot of our energy on training Nicaraguans on the importance of clean water. A glass of water may look clean, but without proper treatment, bacteria could still live in the water and cause harmful infections resulting in diarrhea and potentially death in young children. EOS members are collaborating with the government health department, local mayor's office representatives, community leaders, and local organizations to provide a holistic approach to the development and training of water safety through technology.”

As EOS pushes further into the year, we simultaneously push farther into Nicaragua, reaching more Nicaraguans everyday, bringing clean water to those in need, one community at a time. Here are two links to learn more about the technology: our website & Facebook page.

In America, where most of us have little worries about where our next meal will come from or if the harvest will be enough to support us for another year, it is hard to think about the struggles and worries that rural Nicaraguans face every day. But for people like Maria Vallejos Mejia these concerns were a hard reality of life…until EOS and partner organization People Helping People Global, a micro-finance institution, reached out to help.

Maria and her husband are farmers and they have one son and also take care of their grandchild. They raise a few cows and chickens in addition to growing beans and corn, which they must rent land for since they do not own any themselves.

The relationship between Maria and EOS started late last year when EOS kicked off a pilot program with PHPG to help entrepreneurs start businesses with a zero-percent interest loan and an EOS technology. In November 2012, EOS and PHPG held a meeting in the community of Soledad de Cruz to highlight emerging technologies available through EOS and provide information on how to obtain a low interest loan from PHPG. There were 25 community members at that first meeting. After receiving 15 loan applications, nine people, including Maria, qualified for loans.

Through EOS and PHPG Maria was able to obtain a fuel efficient barrel oven along with $50 in start up money.  This new oven provides Maria an opportunity to earn additional income for her family by selling bread at local markets and to family and friends. This is especially important since it is often hard for her husband and son to find additional work that pays well. 

Since last year EOS and PHPG have reached out to another community. In San Juanillo, 11 ovens have been successfully installed, providing financial support for residents there and economical growth opportunities for the community. Between the two communities 19 ovens and 1 drip irrigation system have been installed.

EOS and PHPG are excited about this partnership and are looking forward to helping more people in the future! Check out our facebook page to see pictures of more Nicaraguan entrepreneurs.

When Erin Artes and Andrea Siefers feel the muscles in their legs begin to burn and their breath becomes harder to catch with each passing step, they will remember the difference they are making in their 26.2-mile journey. On May 5th, Erin and Andrea will be setting out upon the Vancouver Marathon raising awareness and funds for EOS International. Joining them will be EOS Co-Founder, Greg McGrath, and Board Member Mark Tekippe.

Erin, a tax auditor for the State of Alaska, will be running the half marathon next week, her third, and looks forward to her fundraising efforts making an impact in Nicaragua.

“By fundraising with EOS, I hope to create awareness and help others realize that creating sustainability isn't an overwhelming and futile undertaking. It can be done, and we can do it for so much less than imaginable!” she explained. She went on to say, “I wanted to help spread awareness and support underserved communities any way I could.“

Joining Erin from Raleigh, NC is Andrea, an Environmental Engineer at the Environmental Protection Agency. Andrea will be running her first full marathon and is excited to be a part of the EOS Running Team.

“It has been inspirational to watch EOS grow from the dream of a few fellow engineering students to a reality that has positively impacted the lives of thousands of people! I wanted to help spread the word about all the amazing things EOS is doing and contribute in whatever small way I could,” Erin said.

Erin and Andrea used CrowdRise, a fundraising website tool to start their campaign and share on social media, in addition to talking to their family and friends, who were excited to help.
When asked what was their inspiration to run on behalf of EOS, Andrea answered, “To me, EOS represents all the good and positive change that is possible in the world when we are dedicated and passionate about a cause, and we truly believe in other human beings. The passion to further this cause is contagious and makes others, like me, want to be involved!”

Erin added, “What makes EOS stand out above other non-profit organizations for me, is not only the cause, but that it was started by fellow Iowa State graduates. The people involved with EOS are passionate, positive, inspirational individuals; it's hard not to be motivated with such compassionate support!”

Visit the EOS International page on CrowdRise to donate or see how easy it is to create your own page! Contact gregory.mcgrath@eosintl.org if you'd like to join our team and Run for a Better Future!

We're happy to announce that we are making another batch of EOS "Run for a Better Future" dri-fit t-shirts!

Each shirt is $50, which includes shipping. Additional proceeds from shirt sales will be used to further our mission in Nicaragua. Please e-mail gregory.mcgrath@eosintl.org to confirm size and you can make a payment via PayPal by clicking on the "donate" button on our website.

Due date for orders is May 3rd, so order yours today. Here's your chance to look great while making a big difference!