On May 11 Tenby Friendship Club welcomed Carol Brinton-Thomas who told the members about her sister-in-law, Jane Brinton, who lives now in Ecuador and is a “pioneering and adventurous social entrepreneur helping to improve the lives of others.”

Together with Erin Toppenberg, Jane is co-founder of TheWaterbearers.org funding clean water initiatives in 33 countries, showing parents in schools and village people how to use the filter mechanism which is a portable, simple kit for filtering dirty water, bugs and all, into clean water. It requires no replacement parts.

Carol demonstrated to the Club members how the filter works transferring one bucket of ‘dirty’ water into another bucket to provide clean water. Each filter can provide enough clean water for 100 people a day, and will last up to ten years. The name Waterbearers was chosen because mostly it is women and girls who go to the rivers, lakes etc to get water in rural areas. They are also given a solar torch to put on their arm at night to prevent them being attacked. The resulting clean water speaks for itself by empowering women and girls, bringing good health to their families, and so leading to education and livelihood opportunities. During afternoon tea, Carol went around the room answering questions.

At the next meeting on Wednesday, May 25 at 2 pm at Augustus Place Hall, will be a sing-a-long with member Jill Lewis on the piano. Please wear Fifties or Sixties costume if you still have one!