Sinclair hosted a virtual event on Jan. 19 with the non-profit organization, RipplAffect. RipplAffect is an all-volunteer organization whose mission is to bring clean and safe water to those in need, especially children.
Narcisa Mikov, the Founder and Executive Director of RipplAffect, joined Sinclair over Zoom to talk about the organization. Mikov was diagnosed with cancer in 2005 that would cause her to cough just from leaning forward. One day during her journey, however, she went to the doctor to find that her tumor had shrunk.
“[I want to] give thankfulness to God for my miraculous healing,” said Mikov. “I was healed from cancer through prayer.”
This event in her life inspired Mikov to find a way to help others. She found that this way was to help children have access to clean water. Being an entrepreneur, Mikov started RipplAffect to achieve this purpose.
RipplAffect’s vision states:
“We believe clean water is a basic human right and precondition to health and well-being. Our commitment to saving lives will be accomplished by providing sustainable water treatment technologies to communities worldwide.”
The organization makes this vision real by traveling to areas in different parts of the world that are in need of clean water.
Event participants were shown a video that gives a real-life look into the lives of people who live in these areas. The video followed a child from a developing country who took a three-mile trip only to bring home brown and dirty water. It explained that the water contained parasites and can cause sicknesses, such as diarrhea. Sometimes the water can lead to death.
The video ended with a Compassion Advocate of RipplAffect providing the child with a clear glass of water. She explained the importance of helping children and all people who live in these situations.
Myla Cardona-Jones, a member of Sinclair’s staff as well as a board member of RipplAffect, explained that in places with these rough conditions, it is usually women who go out to find water. The water they collect is unsafe for their families as well as for the mother and child if a woman is pregnant.
“It is heart-breaking to know that children, especially under the age of five, are prone to getting sick and dying [from drinking the dirty water],” said Mikov. She also said that these children have no choice but to bathe in the same contaminated water that they drink.
Other videos were shown throughout the event to give even more examples of the reality that these people must face. Some of these examples were seen by RipplAffect during their work. There was a photo of cows in the already contaminated water that the people needed to access. The cows had to be shooed away in order to reach it.
“It just breaks my heart,” said Mikov.
RipplAffect has taken several mission trips over the years to help provide those in need with sanitary water. This includes Haiti, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and different parts of Kenya. Some of these places lost access to clean water after natural disasters. This was the case of Louisiana, where much damage had been caused by hurricane Laura. RipplAffect took a trip here in September of 2020 to help those in need. A mission trip to the Samburu region in Kenya is currently in its planning stage.
With the breakout of the coronavirus pandemic, RipplAffect did have to take some time off from its mission. However, as borders are opening again in some areas, they are ready to step back into action.
“We realized, yes, we are in this pandemic, but there are people [who] are able to help,” said Mikov. “Having clean water is more important than ever before. They need clean water to wash their hands.”
RipplAffect uses Sawyer’s Micron Absolute Hollow Fiber Membrane filters in their work to provide sanitary water for children and their families. The filter is portable and inexpensive. It can last more than ten years and filter one million gallons of water. The organization provides these filters to families in need so that they can clean the dirty water that they must use.
“It’s literally a miracle,” said Mikov.
The filters are also simple for the families to utilize. All they have to do is attach the filters to a plastic water bottle or bucket. The pathogens are washed out as the water goes through the filter, coming out clear and clean.
Mikov and other members of RipplAffect encouraged others to play a part in their mission, whether this be by joining them on a mission trip, giving a donation, or sharing their information with others.
A person can sponsor one family each month by giving a $25 donation, which is the cost of one filter.
“No matter how…complex…these issues are, every action or contribution [by] every individual amounts to a real difference,” said Mikov. “We are humbled by all the amazing blessings we have received this past year. We are truly grateful to everyone for their support.”
During the year of 2020, RipplAffect was able to raise close to $60,000 for its causes.
“God has had His hand on this ministry,” said Robin Mann, the treasurer for the organization.
So far, Ripplaffect has been able to reach 15,000 people in need. They expect to add an additional 20,000 people to that number through their upcoming mission trips.
“Never think that you are too insignificant to make a change in something beyond yourself,” said Mann.
Along with donations, RipplAffect is also in need of volunteers to help it live out its mission.
“[We can recognize] that we are one people and [if] one group doesn’t have what it needs, we should do our part to make sure that happens,” said Cardona-Jones. “We need you. We need our volunteers.”
To learn more about RipplAffect, or to make a donation or volunteer, visit ripplaffect.org. The organization can also be followed on Facebook.
Rebekah Davidson
Intern