Greetings!

Bob’s Newsletter

 

The COVID 19 pandemic has affected us all to one degree or another, and the WAPI project is no exception. Our main production facility,  The Friends of the Carpenter,  has been shut down since before the end of last year. We are, however, still producing WAPIs in my home.

It seems that the foreign mission fields have come to a complete halt for obvious reasons. This virus has crippled the world, some worse than others. I spoke with Pastor Moses Maguro in Kenya, Africa and he stated that this virus has affected his hometown horribly. The folks are in shut down mode with no ability for anyone to work or provide for their families. Breaks my heart, we are attempting to gather face masks for his community.

Thanks to Otto Bombach and Chris Galligan for providing updates to our machine production capabilities. Their endless devotion to our mission outreach has been nothing short of amazing. We are making some of the most beautiful WAPIs in the world. Insomuch as the WAPI demand has slowed down, we were able to send 200 units to Nevada in June to be shared with some of the local community.

As with any project, change is inevitable. WAPIs for the World is experiencing this phenomenon. Our staff is made up of senior volunteers who feel the need to share their talents with the community. Dave Cambry and Ed Wilson have been a big part of our production staff, and together we have experienced wonderful moments. Dave and Ed have produced over 60,000 units that benefit many families worldwide. Both of these fine individuals have decided to step aside because of their health conditions, age, and the COVID virus threat. They will be missed. Thanks, brothers.

Also, Otto Bombach has found it necessary to step aside. We totally understand. Otto is 98 years young and is responsible for our presses as they are today. Because of his unrelenting effort and dedication to the WAPI project, we have a variety of ways to produce WAPIs. He mentioned to me the other day, after he said he had to stop, that he is working on a variation for the hot-air-gun production. He is a man, who I would like to be at his age, giving without measure. Words cannot express my gratitude and appreciation to both gentlemen, Chris Galligan and Otto Bombach.

I have been working with Gary Munk, a machinist in California, who has invited me to come and see if we can improve our production capabilities even more than we already have. This is exciting for our organization in many ways. The future looks very promising.

Consider getting your local church youth groups involved. There is just something to be said about the enthusiasm of youth groups knowing that they are saving lives. The only cost to this effort is the cost of supplies which is about $2.00 a WAPI. We do not insist on payment, it is voluntary. We do not sell our devices, we offer them to those in need at no cost.

If your church or organization is considering a mission outreach to other parts of the world, think about taking some WAPIs with you. They are a great humanitarian gesture. These devices are reusable, unbreakable, last for years and are very dependable.

Heat is the most effective way to eliminate all harmful bacteria from milk, water, and other liquids. Boiling water is energy wasteful and not necessary. Water heated to 149°F is all that is necessary. Dr. Robert Metcalf, Ph.D. in microbiology has proven this process in his laboratory and field studies in Kenya.

With Warm Regards

Bob Tait

Otto and Chris and what they have done for the WAPI

Our oldest volunteer, Otto Bombach, was born in 1922. He makes our pressing machines that pinch the ends of the WAPIs so there is no leakage. He is a mechanical engineer by trade and can automatically figure out what is wrong with a machine. He worked at Hughes Aircraft for quite some time and facilitated the construction of huge buildings. After retiring, he had his own consulting business. He is a WWII veteran who earned the Silver Star.

Otto came to Friends of the Carpenter (FOC) to meet with friends. While there he met Bob Tait who before COVID 19 worked every Wednesday at the FOC making the small WAPIs. He got to know Bob and decided to help with the WAPI’s humanitarian world cause. Bob was having difficulties with a machine when Otto said that the machine was overheating and in poor condition. Otto said, “I can fix that!” He knows the exact date when he started making machines for WAPI for the World. That is almost 3.5 years ago, 2.8.2017.

A couple of months after Otto started to work on the WAPI machines, Chris Galligan joined Otto and the WAPI project. The original machines were primitive and had a WAPI failure rate of 40 - 50%. Chris’ technical and management background allowed him to tackle the problem with a process-oriented mindset. After solving the overheating condition of each machine, they designed and implemented a system to standardize the placement of the hole punch needed for each WAPI polycarbonate tube. The old machine had a hit and miss routine and now is much improved and consistent in its operation.

Along the way, WAPI realized there was a need to send machines overseas; therefore, Otto and Chris made a handheld WAPI hot-air-gun held in a wooden container. The hot-air-gun costs $10 and can be bought overseas. Being lightweight, the wooden carriage can easily be sent around the world to help keep up with the demand for WAPIs and the clean/safe water it produces.

The latest machine Otto and Chris made is a pneumatic press. The pneumatic cylinder was donated by Bimba Company which uses 160 lbs. of air pressure and is capable of making 6 complete WAPIs in 2 minutes time. The WAPI tubing is placed in the press, the start button is pushed, when the stoplight turns on, all WAPIs are finished and removed from the press. This advancement in production capabilities will double the units made in half the time.

Chris takes WAPIs and information with him when he travels, introducing the WAPI to people along the way. He shows people how the WAPI indicates when water has reached the pasteurization temperature and is safe for drinking and cooking. 99.9% of microorganisms that are harmful to humans are killed in this process. Each WAPI delivered to a family or village in need can mean safe water for people around the world.

 NOTES :

When to use a WAPI?

A non-profit 501(c)3 ministry

assisting globally with clean and healthy water for survival .

WAPI, an acronym for Water Pasteurization Indicator, is needed and used in

developing countries and impoverished communities including in the United States.

We teach villagers how to use the WAPI for clean water, personal hygiene and sanitation.  

WAPIs for the World - Bob Tait

WAPIsfortheWorld.com

503-810-8643 -- WAPIsfortheWorld@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/wapisfortheworld/