Simple coffee bean could be vital solution to improving health in Laos' countryside

Australian engineer Sunny Forsyth, founder of non-governmental organization (NGO) Abundant Water and his filter design has grown out of efforts to spread affordable, clean drinking water technology in disparate parts of the globe.

The technique itself is based on ancient local traditions of ground-fired ceramics with the addition of basic, yet effective international expertise.

It addresses the drinking-water challenge by teaching the technical know-how of water purification and entrepreneurial skills to the community members themselves, so they can put their new-found skills to good use, with the raw materials and additional hardware for the filters that are readily available to them in their own villages.

It empowers local practitioners who are able to act as catalysts for getting the technology used in those communities where it is most needed.

"Our approach transfers knowledge and expertise, and develops local capability and ownership, increasing the likelihood of ongoing use of the technology," Forsyth told Xinhua.

"Abundant Water is training Laos' villager potters in our water filter technology and micro-financed business approaches," he added.

He went on to explain that after six years working with rural communities across the nation, the program was ready to scale up to offer support to many more communities in need.

Also mindful that the problem of clean drinking water doesn't begin or end in Laos, Abundant Water is also reaching out to likeminded individuals and organizations around the world.