People Doing Good in the World —- A friend recently handed me a copy of the commencement address that author and environmentalist Paul Hawken gave to the class of 2009 at the University of Portland. It’s one of those rare speeches that gives one hope, perspective, connection, and ultimately inspiration to achieve.  He talks about how our society is in the midst of an unparalleled movement.  He says, “No one knows how many groups and organizations are working on the most salient issues of our day: climate change, poverty, deforestation, peace, water, hunger, conservation, human rights, and more. This is the largest movement the world has ever seen.” These days it seems like everyone of my friends and acquaintances is involved with a cause to improve life for people or the planet. That’s a good thing.

I want to alert you to one individual who right now is starting at the very grassroots level of this movement. His name is Zack Parker and his mission is simple, create better sanitary conditions (like clean water and proper toilets) for coastal dwellers in Papua New Guinea (PNG). He founded a non-profit organization called Walu International to carry out this plan.  I’ve been to hundreds of places on the planet where dysentery caused by poor sanitary conditions kills people. That sucks. I don’t worry about disease when I take a crap, do you? After spending time dodging crocs in the interior of PNG I went to the coast and saw first hand what Zack is talking about.

Walu International’s pilot project will be installing self-composting toilets and water purification systems at the local elementary school in Lido Village, Papua New Guinea.  This will go down in January 2010. Walu is holding a fundraiser in San Diego on November 18, 2009. I know a lot of the local surf community will be there to support the cause. Check out the site to learn more the event: http://www.waluinternational.org/?page_id=28

Give em a few bucks to build some toilets for kids.

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