Let's gather Steem for a well pump to bring water to a thirsty Venezuelan family! [Mission: Agua-Possible]

Country-wide blackouts, starvation, disease, hyperinflation, foreign military intervention, and 2 leaders who each claim to be legitimate - Venezuela in crisis!

The world's attention has been focused for several weeks on the political and economic situation in Venezuela. Meanwhile, as we have for seven months, Mission: Agua-Possible is progressing toward our goal of 1300 USD (in STEEM), for a well pump to bring water up 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 worthless, people are hungry - the economy is at a standstill. Theft, corruption, and violence escalate as society breaks down. Millions are fleeing on foot - if they can. 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 previously-unknown man called Guaidó. It seems that violence may be coming. Stability for the people seems out of reach.

Edgar

A few 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.

( After some scary experiences with fishing, Edgar returned to the ocean this week, and came home with a catch for the family. )

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!

Another dead week

I was once again the project's main contributor, with just a few upvotes generated by the previous post, lead by my 3.5 cent vote. No direct donations were received this week, so I decided to donate 1.0 Steem, myself! I also donated another 0.25 Steem from each of my fellow teammates - @MediKatie, @GirlsofGreen, @hempy, @greatesteem, @SativaZeee, and @VantoCan.

Resteems help get new eyes (and upvotes) into the project, so thank you if you're able to resteem occasionally.

Much appreciation to those who upvoted last week:

Week 30

week 29 funds: 189.753 Steem

new funds:

• week 29 post payout = 0.054 SBD and 0.129 STEEM POWER = 0.258 Steem
• 0.25 Steem direct donation from @girlsofgreen
• 0.25 Steem direct donation from @medikatie
• 0.25 Steem direct donation from @hempy
• 0.25 Steem direct donation from @greatesteem
• 0.25 Steem direct donation from @sativazeee
• 0.25 Steem direct donation from @vantocan
• 1.0 Steem direct donation from @drutter
• you can send me Steem directly and your donation will be noted here

Total funds: 192.611 Steem

x 0.424 USD/Steem = $81.67 USD (of $1300)

Current progress: 6.3%

The cryptocurrency market backed off this week, and Steem fell hard. My hope is we get some renewed interest in this project, and start making forward progress again. I had hoped this would only take a couple weeks - this is already week 30 for those thirsty people!

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