Location
Kharkov, Kharkiv Oblast, Kharkivskyi Raion, Ukraine
Community Description
Kharkov is located in the northeast of the country. Currently, it is the administrative center of the Kharkiv Oblast (province), as well as the administrative center of the surrounding Kharkivskyi Raion (district) within the oblast. It is located 30 km from the Russian border.
Kharkov is the 2nd largest city in Ukraine with a population of 1.6 million people. Currently, it is an industrial, machine-manufacturing city. It was founded in 1654 and was a major center of Ukrainian culture in the Russian Empire.
Gymnasium #82 is the biggest school in the Kharkov Oblast with 1,300 students,
94 teachers, and 32 staff members. The students from 1st to 4th grade specialize in the English language curriculum and about half of the secondary students continue their specialization in English.
Water in the city of Kharkov is filled with contaminants, including nitrates and excess sulfur, and every day in the school’s cafeteria, the students eat the lunches which were made with the local contaminated tap water.
Furthermore, students are entirely unable to drink water at the school. Their only source of hydration is, by default, concentrated juices and sugary teas. As a result, students at this gymnasium have a heightened propensity for dehydration, cavities, and poor dental health.
Project Description
This project is to purchase and install a water filter for the kitchen of the school to provide clean water for cooking and drinking.
Profiltron, a water filter company in Saint Petersburg, supplied through Kharkov, Ukraine, has worked to find the ideal filter for the needs of the school.
The Aquaphor Viking Plus Water Filter is comprised of a stainless steel body with a two-stage replaceable filter cartridge. It can produce clean water at the rate of 10 liters per minute. It is designed to purify 40,000 liters of drinkable water.
The filtration system removes impurities such as chlorine, heavy metal ions, organic compounds, and all other water-soluble contaminants.
The maintenance staff of Kharkov Gymnasium #82 will install the system at no charge. The project funding includes the cost of the first replacement filter cartridge, which must be installed in 7 months. Thereafter, a replacement will be done at a minimal cost every few years.
Following the installation of the first replacement cartridge, the school will support further filter cartridge replacement through donations from the community, including parents of students. The school’s staff is extremely dedicated to ensuring that the children have ongoing access to clean, safe water for consumption.
Project Impact
This project will benefit 1,300 students, 93 teachers, and 32 staff.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Whitney Farmer
Comments
The water filter will greatly improve the quality and cleanliness of the water used for cooking of the children’s lunches as well as give them the opportunity to drink water.
Dollar Amount of Project
$520.00
Donations Collected to Date
$520.00
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has been fully funded, through the generosity of The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Whitney Farmer of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Whitney and/or those other PCVs in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.