Corruption of Beauty

Imagine a tropical paradise located on the Atlantic Ocean showcasing shimmering white sandy beaches, and beautiful greenery. Continue the picture with a climate conducive to healthy agriculture and boundless opportunity. Now, take a closer look, and you will see a third world country where survival is the daily hustle. People in Sierra Leone struggle to find clean water and the means to ward off disease. As these people battle this lack of necessity from day to day, how are we are able to better their situation?

“Water is life” is a phrase frequently spoken by the people of Sierra Leone, Africa where clean water is a rarity. Due to insufficient amounts of unblemished water many burdens hang over the heads of these citizens and the beautiful land, halting its progression as a country. Ed and Terry Evans, who served on a humanitarian mission in Sierra Leone, continue to take part in the incentive to bring running water to this country. One of their final emails before returning to the United States quotes, “The big news here is that we had rain during the night on Thursday. It’s the first rain in 5 months.”(Evans). In Sierra Leone, rain is something to celebrate. The Evans often wrote about the use of water as a scarce resource. They illustrated how their community utilizes the water that they have.

Although the water is not clean, the whole community shares a single watering hole. There, the people bathe, collect water, and wash their clothes along with other things which water is necessary for. As can be assumed this is severely unsanitary in countless ways. It is also a cause for the constant spread of disease, which runs rampant about the population.

“Water is life” is a phrase frequently spoken by the people of Sierra Leone, Africa where clean water is a rarity. Due to insufficient amounts of unblemished water many burdens hang over the heads of these citizens and the beautiful land, halting its progression as a country. Ed and Terry Evans, who served on a humanitarian mission in Sierra Leone, continue to take part in the incentive to bring running water to this country. One of their final emails before returning to the United States quotes, “The big news here is that we had rain during the night on Thursday. It’s the first rain in 5 months.”(Evans). In Sierra Leone, rain is something to celebrate. The Evans often wrote about the use of water as a scarce resource. They illustrated how their community utilizes the water that they have.

Although the water is not clean, the whole community shares a single watering hole. There, the people bathe, collect water, and wash their clothes along with other things which water is necessary for. As can be assumed this is severely unsanitary in countless ways. It is also a cause for the constant spread of disease, which runs rampant about the population.

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Global Health), tuberculosis is the sixth highest cause of death in Sierra Leone. Diseases like tuberculosis have historically been an issue, and will continue to impede the countries success unless dramatic changes are made country wide. Excellent hygiene is one of the first steps to fighting off disease, but without clean water and the means to obtain superb hygiene, Sierra Leone is stuck. 

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How can we help citizens of Sierra Leone achieve healthy living standards? Through bringing clean water to this country, we are able to raise living standards in Sierra Leone, lower disease rates, and achieve a far more functional and hygienic community.

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As there is an opportunity to continue the work of Terry and Ed Evans, here are a few ideas of how we can make the world better for people less fortunate. Sierra Leone currently struggles with maintaining adequate supplies such as wood to continue the construction of wells, therefore a drive for timber to be sent to their communities would be extremely helpful. Another idea is to put together hygiene and disease pamphlets to help spread the awareness of germs and the importance of cleanliness for the people of Sierra Leone. This may be sent along with water purifiers. These are just a few ideas of how we, as Americans, can help make the world a better place for everyone.

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What Can We Do?

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As there is an opportunity to continue the work of Terry and Ed Evans, here are a few ideas of how we can make the world better for people less fortunate. Sierra Leone currently struggles with maintaining adequate supplies such as wood to continue the construction of wells, therefore a drive for timber to be sent to their communities would be extremely helpful. Another idea is to put together hygiene and disease pamphlets to help spread the awareness of germs and the importance of cleanliness for the people of Sierra Leone. This may be sent along with water purifiers. These are just a few ideas of how we, as Americans, can help make the world a better place for everyone.

Life Below the Water

Marine life is challenged due to the increasing temperatures due to global warming, and ocean acidification. This makes it very difficult for certain aquatic species to survive. Over 800 species worldwide are affected by marine debris, and 80% of this litter is plastic. In the last decade we have produced more plastic than we have in the last 100 years.

Plastic is especially harmful to these animals due to its appetizing look and its false appearance of a jellyfish. These synthetic compounds in plastic, when digested, can harm the animal. Due to the more prominent need of plastic in our lives, these manufacturers have been able to produce more toxic and dangerous plastic, that can be harmful when ingested. Unless action is taken to prevent this pollution in the ocean, scientists predict that the weight of plastic in the ocean will outweigh the fish by 2050.

How Can We Fix This Issue?

Another great way to help prevent the use of plastic is to spread the word! Telling family and friends about the harmful incidents of plastic, can help people become more aware of what they are using. Reusing is another great way to reduce the use of plastic. Since plastic is apart of our daily lives, it is nearly impossible to cut it out completely. But, if you reuse your plastic water bottles, or produce bags it can help make the world that much cleaner. By doing these simple tasks you can help prevent more plastic from entering our oceans.

Our next goal as humanity should be protecting these animals, from plastic. We should take care of our Earth instead of harm it and ruin it by pollution. To prevent plastic in the oceans we should help support the ban of single-use plastic packaging. The best way to do this is to refuse any single-use plastics that you do not need such as straws, plastic bags, water bottles, etc. When you refuse to use these single-use plastic items, it helps businesses know you are looking for an alternative.

Another great way to help prevent the use of plastic is to spread the word! Telling family and friends about the harmful incidents of plastic, can help people become more aware of what they are using. Reusing is another great way to reduce the use of plastic. Since plastic is apart of our daily lives, it is nearly impossible to cut it out completely. But, if you reuse your plastic water bottles, or produce bags it can help make the world that much cleaner. By doing these simple tasks you can help prevent more plastic from entering our oceans.

Piper Evans:

Abbigail Summerill:

Ed and Terry Evans