Established in 2010 during the devastating 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti claiming the lives of over 250,000 people, New Jersey for Haiti has been at the forefront of recovery and rebuilding of Haiti since the aftermath of the tragedy. Haiti is considered one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere faced severe complicities around clean water.  More importantly now, over 80% of rural Haitians lack direct access to sanitation facilities, and only 48% have access to an improved water source. Haiti will be rebuilding for years, and sustainable clean water access is crucial for their recovery. This is the essential reason why New Jersey for Haiti has galvanized the support of various organizations and partners to tackle this challenge. Through our volunteers, human rights advocates and environmentalist we have comprised a concerted effort to address this dilemma.  The water purification project focuses on clean water, health and wellness, socio-economic empowerment and social entrepreneurism. 

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Since 2010 NJ4Haiti conducted several annual mission trip designed to provide medical services to some of the poorest communities in Haiti. On this mission our volunteers discovered that most patients were suffering from diseases related to contaminated water. Once back in the United States, the group decided their next major effort was to provide large quantities of clean water to the communities impacted on a consistent basis. After researching the best method, they decided on the Solar Mobile Max Pure system, which had been used effectively in Darfur and was already in use in some parts of Haiti. NJ4Haiti  partnered with World Water And Solar Technologies who developed the Mobile Max Pure water purification system which will be instrumental to making this project a success. The Mobile Max Pure will provide communities in need with over 30,000 gallons of water daily at a cost of less than one (1) penny per gallon.

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The Mobile Max Pure water purification system is a self-powered and off the grid system that does not require a connection to the electric grid nor a constant supply of diesel fuel. The unit also provides power to run lights, tools, equipment and sensitive computers and other electronic equipment. The Mobile Max Pure requires very little maintenance and lasts for about 25 years. It should be noted that the machine can purify water from various sources including wells, lakes, and the ocean.

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The cost of each water purification system including shipping and set up is an estimated $150,000. Our goal is to provide four communities with this water purification system with a total fundraising goal of $600,000. NJ for Haiti will send out each unit as the funds become available. Approximately $38,000 has been raised by the late Congressman Donald M. Payne (NJ-10) via the Congressional Black Caucus. The goal is to have several units shipped within the next three years. 

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“I commend NJ for Haiti for joining the world’s largest humanitarian response as a key partner in helping Haiti recover and rebuild after the devastating earthquake two years ago. As a committed supporter of NJ for Haiti, I applaud the Haiti Lives On initiative’s focus on supplying water purification systems to make clean water available for our Haitian brothers and sisters. During my visits to Haiti, I observed first-hand that most Haitians are no better off than in the weeks following the earthquake. Haiti’s high infectivity and death rate caused by the cholera epidemic is unacceptable and unconscionable, so this initiative is the right step toward helping Haiti prevent the next expected waves of cholera from ravaging its communities.”