Bitcoin Forum

The Igbaruku village of Kogi in Nigeria have a reason to celebrate and be happy as the Build with Bitcoin project has once again put smiles on the faces of the 1000 who prior to this intervention, had to trek long distances just to reach a contaminated water source.
  
This initiative, powered by the Build with Bitcoin project has helped eliminate the issue of children and adults alike falling sick as a result of water borne diseases and because of this, youths who - in a bid to go search for water- end up missing school or quality family time, are certainly grateful for such timely and thoughtful response by the foundation.

 The project was aimed at providing communities with clean water, access to quality education, humanitarian support amongst others. And Yusuf Nessary, co founder of the Build with Bitcoin initiative, believes they can now experience first hand Bitcoin education and financial inclusion in the community's native language.
 

https://i.ibb.co/DtDLhYC/screen-shot-2022-08-18-at-114408-am.png (https://ibb.co/BtVwbGZ)

https://i.ibb.co/SBCQkRG/screen-shot-2022-08-18-at-120954-pm.png (https://imgbb.com/)

https://i.ibb.co/zxYYGqq/dsc-4719.jpg (https://imgbb.com/)

The joy on these children's faces is so priceless and Bitcoin helped put it there!
 Gradually, Bitcoin is slowly creeping into the nooks and crannies of the rural areas and all thanks to Bitcoin Inc and Bitcoin magazine who helped in donations, this small village development is a product of Bitcoin.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/built-with-bitcoin-completes-clean-water-project-for-1000-nigerian-villagers

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but based on the third picture, was this a charity program by the Bitcoin 2022 conference (https://b.tc/conference/)?

Also, if anyone wants to donate BTC/crypto to a very similar charity program: https://thewaterproject.org/donate-crypto

It is good that this community can enjoy good water and the proximity of it to their homes makes life much better for them, they must be happy with what they see and experience, though i hope they are able to understand what the "bitcoin project" is. Those behind this project are obviously bitcoin users and people that know what bitcoin is and isn't, but what about the larger community they visit.

Needless to say that the community is going to enjoy the 'clean water' provided by this project, but what i am not so sure is if they will be interested in the network that those behind this project are trying to promote and bring the knowledge of to their doorsteps, i feel that is our biggest problem concerning adoption in rural African communities, they have many problems with daily livelihood, and they want it solved and that is that, but can they think about 'freedom with bitcoin', i don't think so.

The third picture is part of the project Build with Bitcoin engaged in and although they had support from organizations, it's a different project from The Water Project which is a charity organization.

 

Anyway, this is a good news. Although the villagers who get clean water may not understand Bitcoin.

You are right and at same time your thoughts about this investment is short term. A picture they say portrays thousands of words. In the picture above they are brilliant kids who will never forget about this bitcoin based project that removed, in their childhood, the stress of fetching water from a very far stream. Those kids to me is the reason for the project. They will never grow up without acknowledging bitcoin, when been discussed by peer they'll definitely refer to a time when bitcoin was used to sponsor a water project in their village. I'm glad that the banner has bitcoin logo on it, when the kids go to fetch water and see the logo it sticks to their long term memory which will never be forgotten. The grown ups like you said may not be interested in the freedom bitcoin effects for a better livelihood in Africa. But, for the kids they'll definitely embrace bitcoin at adolescent age and we are talking 7-8 from now.

I am very happy for these people and I am also happy that it was done with Bitcoin, with what helps to give good fame.

The only thing is that the funds have been contributed with Bitcoin, just as they could have been contributed with fiat for the charity. I don't see that Bitcoin is essential here, because it is not like when there is a bank blockade and the way to avoid it is to donate with Bitcoin.

Once the most pressing problem is solved, that they have access to clean water and humanitarian support, I hope that part of the education will be about Bitcoin and that it will help people to find jobs related to it in the future.

We only know today, we do not know tomorrow. I believe it happens all over the world that a person born in a village can be a prosperous person in city or even in another country tomorrow, there are many celebrities and business men and women that were born in village, anyone can be successful tomorrow, a villager can leave in a city tomorrow and become very successful. Bitcoin continue to exists, what is done in the past can help in its adoption tomorrow. The kids won't forget this in there live time.

Some people that read about this on news can have interest for bitcoin, to learn about it and see if they can also invest in it. This idea and the project is very great and nice. The clean water provider can be the longevity to many lives in the village.  You can see see that Africa have long live span if compared to the past, though healthcare facilities contribute to this, but also clean wallet will contribute.

Nevermind, didn't notice the article link at the bottom of your post. I just asked because I'm pretty sure I'm seeing a Bitcoin 2022 Conference logo on the third picture.

https://i.insider.com/62507916ee61990018ddd448?width=1136&format=jpeg
https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/bitcoin-2022-conference-wrap-cathie-wood-peter-thiel-michael-saylor-2022-4

The Water Project has, indeed, received a lot of Bitcoin support (donations). First came across it when interviewing the Pineapple Fund (https://pineapplefund.org/) back in 2017, the anon founder donated $1 million (65+ BTC at the time) -- will have to refer to Water Project themselves to see which exact fund made that particular water pump installation.

Nice to see it still has support 5 years down the line =)

The educated and non-educated people in the community will understand Bitcoin because it is written in the article that " the community experienced the use of bitcoin first-hand while workers educated the community on its use. Throughout the development of the project, Igbaruku received grassroots education on Bitcoin and financial inclusion in the community’s native language."
Kudos to the team that organized this global movement.

I think it's awesome when Bitcoin  is used for charity. Some might say it's nothing special, something obvious and what could be done via other methods, but when Bitcoin is used for donations, it's actually used as money, so I think it's a genuinely good sort of usage, not to mention that the cause itself is very noble because people obviously should have access to clean water. This makes the world a better place, and also gives Bitcoin a more positive reputation. While the people who got access to clean water might not need Bitcoin yet because they clearly have more urgent matters to attend to, it helps connect different people (those who donated with Bitcoin and those who benefited from the donations), as well as make a difference, even if it's at a very small-scale level of one village.

Man, they don't even have clean water to drink. Should we even talk about 'freedom with Bitcoin' in such a setting? 'Freedom with Bitcoin' is not the most important thing in life. In a poor small village in rural Africa, what does 'freedom with Bitcoin' mean? It's nothing. It's the least that they actually need. They need the most basic of needs. First things first. 'Freedom with Bitcoin' may be important but it can't quench a thirsting kid.

It's a pretty scary problem when we know that somewhere in the world, people are suffering from water shortages. The most essential things in life are water and food. I immediately want to compare the problems of those people who complain that their half-new car or phone is becoming unbranded. The injustice of the world is cruel. 
But as you say, other survival problems are important for these people. But knowledge and interest do not require money. The first step is to just learn. General education has never harmed anyone. And maybe one day, everyone will have one or another chance to feel and use bitcoin in their lives on their own. 
After all, it often happens that "when the student is ready, the teacher comes himself."

Yes, the villager can not prioritize Bitcoin over their personal activities but I'm sure some of the villagers are already planning to learn more about Bitcoin few education that was given to them. I believe no one sees an important opportunity for improvement that won't want to grab it.

You're right but the team achieved the purpose of the donation, do you notice it is another form of Bitcoin advertisement because they are taking Bitcoin to the rural area people?

They won't show this picture or if they will, they would say that it's from a different organization and that bitcoin doesn't have anything to do with it. Demonize bitcoin all they want but seeing that this kind of thing is happening out there and it's changing someone's lives for the better makes me a believer no matter what they say, not a blind one though.

Thanks for sharing,

This is the best news we could see. You don't need to give money to a big charity organization and never know where it goes (we can guess thought). You can fund some needs and watch it. It is also important to be crystal clear with the budget and show all the invoices.

Also in addition, a thread already existed about this same news on WO yesterday https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=178336.msg60777110#msg60777110 i will suggest OP to lock the thread as it has been discussed already.

I don't think so, the WO thread is a mega-topic in the speculation board, and in my opinion that is not the best place for this topic. The topic is about 'how bitcoin was used to help a community', and not bitcoin price speculation, so this is the best board for it, and op should not lock it for that reason, unless op thinks otherwise.

There is indeed a very wide gap between those that have and those that have not. While the rest worry about privacy and anonymity and independence from financial third parties, others worry about as basic as potable water. While others lose their lives in their vices and hobbies, in pursuit of what makes them happy, million others lose theirs because of lack of clean water to drink.

This isn't saying Bitcoin is useless. But we don't ask a small child to climb a tree or read War and Peace. We teach him to stand and make his/her first small steps and recite his/her ABCs.

To the people in far-away villages in rural Africa, they'll eventually learn Bitcoin. But let them drink their water first.

These wonderful humanitarian initiatives make me really happy, I respect those behind these ideas because they help the needy poor on the one hand and on the other hand contribute to spreading knowledge about Bitcoin in poor communities, I encourage such works and hope they spread more but I hope that this is accompanied by educational courses Explaining Bitcoin to poor people in these poor communities, this will give a very good reputation to Bitcoin and help people understand Bitcoin better.

Wow! Kogi of all places. I feel very elated whenever I read any news about the spread of Bitcoin awareness in Nigeria. The simple reason it gladdens my heart is because it speaks to power that the Nigerian political leadership can't stop Nigerians from indulging in cryptos. Despite the strangulation and account closures of crypto hodlers in Nigeria, we've continued to wax stronger as a top crypto trading nation in the world. Kudos to my Naija peeps! We will not relent till more rural areas get engrossed in cryptos.

These are amazing iniatives to take accessibility, dignity and life quality to the most needing areas of the world. I suppose this is just the first step for many other great initiatives that are to come!

May I ask if bitcoin was a decisive factor on this project and why only now it's being possible to put in practice these works? Couldn't it have already been done through fiat currencies in the previous years? The article says the costs were around 6000$. It doesn't look too expensive, considering the benefits reached by the local population. Didn't the government have funds to excute these projects?

Seriously that's nice, am also planning to make a mini project in my village which everybody will benefit and I will also name the project....... I don't have name yet for it, am planning to raise funds from signature campaign that am participating in, then I will start it, but definitely it's going to take time before I can do that. Also the last time I visited my village, I noticed most of then don't know about bitcoin or even heard about bitcoin before, I will like to introduce them to Bitcointalk and enlighten them more about bitcon and cryptocurrency in general.

These are bold initiatives that will help institutionalize Bitcoin or bitcoin establishment. However, these are possible in Nigeria, such initiatives are still not possible in many countries because crypto is still illegal there. If such action is planned there, he must be punished. But I believe  the revolution of Bitcoin has started and will be implemented.

It's really good to building such amenity in that society, I was having doubt that most State/villages in Nigeria are still drinking unhealthy water but thanks to that beautiful project. It's also very alarming that such project was successful built under a Bitcoin foundation. At least Bitcoin is going far from serving as a source for investment and building such a great amenity in that rural area, this project is making me believe that in future, most project shall be build under some Bitcoin foundation.

I still can't believe that there are places in the world that doesn't have access to clean water. And I do not mean just nigeria or africa in general, we are talking about flint michigan didn't had it for a long long time as well, don't know the latest situation but it was terrible there and this is USA, the elite nation among top of everyone else. This is due to people not spending enough money to help people in need. Bitcoin donations and charities could do this and help the people in need in Nigeria, whereas this could have been done long time ago. People ask me why I dislike billionaires, well simply because a tiny bit of their money could make sure everyone in the world would have access to clean water and eliminate all these diseases and thats the important bit, it wouldn't even hurt them at all.

It means a lot to them. To us and others who are fortunate, this looks regular, but for some of these children and these interior villages, they have never had clean water which is super essential, so close to them and to now have it, it is something that calls for joy. There is a lot of news about the benefits crypto is serving in Nigeria even in the almost unfavorable condition, I am really optimistic about the time when all the restrictions on bitcoin use in the country will be lifted and the community allowed to flourish freely.

There are more such places and governments have failed to do it. The corruption is the major reason for all these things happening around. Even if ground water isn't available the government could've made alternate plans to fullfill the people's need. This is about Nigeria, the same can be seen all around the world. In my country cinema actor and actresses used to adopt such villages and do these things for them.

It's still possible to learn bitcoin even if you didn't focus on it full time but allocating a few minutes or an hour per day can be enough already since they are still in a learning phase and not on the actual work but if the moment will come that they are now working in a bitcoin related jobs like some of us here in the forum or on other sites then they might need to allocate more time with it.

I am sure they are not alone on their homes. The people living with them can help them to do other things for a while. I like the initiative of the project there, where they provide water sources. We know that water is one of the important things needed on those type of countries.

Well this is a good effort to educate the poor community about Bitcoin but I am sti skeptical on how this will be possible looking at the whole community. If we must educate people about Bitcoin, we need to understand that internet inclusion is necessary in this aspect to the community on how the internet works with Bitcoin.

I think the people would only be interested in what they are enjoy just like when the government provided basic amenities to rural areas or villages. The community would need a source to the internet like phones, light and computer for them to be able to understand how Bitcoin works not by just telling them about Bitcoin. Everything would need to be more of practicals rather than theories.

I understand your point and it's the same thing i asked myself when I first read this thread. In the article, nothing about the internet or telecommunication was mentioned (it was stated that they lack clean water, electricity, sanitation, education, and banking services ).
This could explain the reason why the team that went there successfully taught the rural people about Bitcoin.

As the OP mentioned, they will understand bitcoin too. The project is bitcoin based and people will gradually be willing to know about this, although getting clean water is far more important.
Secondly, people in villages are not so keen to learn about new things so teaching them about bitcoin will be a challenge. But still, I think that the younger generation will be interested to know more about bitcoin and cryptocurrencies even if they are living in rural areas.

Agreed, the base is being made perfect. This will surely make neighbouring villages know about it. In the past there is a discussion stating it is quite hard to reach the rural regions of the country as they lack internet connectivity. Slowly this changed with more villages getting internet connectivity. Even after that there were more villages lack internet. Those villages can now know and learn about bitcoin through these life changing projects.

It is not really Bitcoin that is touching lives. It's actually the people who are supporting Bitcoin that have made a big difference to their lives. Bitcoin hasn't changed them. They probably haven't learned yet what Bitcoin is, but they definitely gained a much better living condition because of those people who are spreading Bitcoin education at the same time helping others. Time will come when these communities will themselves come to understand and support Bitcoin as well.

Governments have failed these people... They deliberately kept them uneducated, poor and gave no basic aminities. It's so good to see that now Bitcoin has helped them. A human can only grow if they don't have to fight for the basic aminities. I wonder that though Africa is so well endowed with natural resources, still there is so much suffering there. Thanks Bitcoin for helping such communities

Muhammad Ali, said - Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. Total appreciation to those who donated to this project. To ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all is the 6 UN SDGs. In most part of the country while folks are stacking up the latest iPhone, the latest designers shoes, glasses, etc or racing to buy the latest model of the Bombardier, these folks in the rural communities in Nigeria just want clean drinking water instead of walking over 10km to get it, and fertilizers and modern equipment to grow their crops.

In Ecuador we have an organization that deals with helping animals and there is a small budget that cares for animals in extinction, there had been talk of NIGERIA, but I don't know if it is there with its mother tongue, we want and we are talking with the people who They have some animals to support them and give them a lot of medical attention, do they accept bitcoin there? to buy food and essential things?

When entering a country like Nigeria, is the local currency the most accepted or do you have to change to dollars? I think that if you are going to take a trip there, I don't know if you will go, but I would like to know if they accept bitcoin in some of the businesses to inform my friends, thank you very much.

Serving the people in need gives you a place in the god's palace. What one do to the needy will be got back in multiples. This is true and many examples can be mentioned. Water constitutes 71% of the World's surface, but people suffering for the fresh water is really bad. People who done this through bitcoin is really appreciable, and more such things need to be done finding the community in need than spending on showing ourselves luxurious.

Just wow. That's unity and the eagerness to help a community to bring clean water is really one of the best feeling to have. Whoever initiated this project, you guys are real legends.
I've been seeing NGOs that do the same but knowing that it came from a community that used bitcoin funding for it, that's something else and special.
Hopefully, this won't stop and there will be more communities that shall have this turnover for the project of clean source of water.

That the purpose and implementation of Bitcoin is certainly correct. Implementation of clean water is very good for Nigerian people. Because where clean water has to travel a long way, Bitcoin has given its true identity. Although It has made it possible for poor and hardworking people to drink clean water.

Am really happy that bitcoin is touching life in my country Nigeria, am sure in most rural areas in Nigeria most people don’t know about bitcoin, am sure with this kind of projects taking place am sure people in all those rural areas will start learning about bitcoin, they will begin to know about bitcoin. I hope more of this projects will be spread across different rural areas in the country, it will help the people in the rural areas that are suffering from lack of access to portable water supply and it will help bitcoin spreed across the country.

Kind of this Initiative always  keeps me motivated in following such steps , i also planned to establish something similar but will not ask for any donation instead from my own pocket with small amount ? I know that i can serve people in various depressed places to at least bring them water to drink or small cooperative to help their community have profit even in small way.
I promise to myself that once I earn better in my holdings in the next bullrun? at least I will provide one of those plans sooner.

I think you are right on point, I like the discussion you have here, I think the things you don't cover here are correct, the Nigerian water with Bitcoin is correct here.

This is such a wholesome post. It has touched my heart. And their smile is so priceless. Everyone is trying to find the flaw and bad side of BTC and no one should see this. The joy which it brings. Respect man only respect.

This good news makes me smile happily. somehow. but I feel happy also seeing people who can get happiness. Clean water is a very valuable thing in life. because we humans really need water. even our bodies are mostly made up of water. and what makes me happy is that there is a bitcoin contribution in it. that's good news. I appreciate the charitable organization that has helped people in need. I hope more people do good on this earth.

Africa needs all the help it can get from anywhere. That is why I am also perplexed when I see some governments restricting or banning the use of Bitcoin. Bitcoin has the potential of attracting more investors to these poor countries. And these firms would definitely contribute to the development of their host communities. There are still some coastal villages in Africa that drink water that they use as toilets because that is their only source of water. But seeing a foundation funded by Bitcoin carrying out such a selfless project is very commendable. It should serve as a pointer that Bitcoin has more positive contributions to give to society.

this is one proof that bitcoin can be used for good for the welfare of the environment and society. Charity through bitcoin is really a good initiative. and deserves to be developed. so every charity should provide the option of accepting charity via crypto and bitcoin. I hope our brothers and sisters in Nigeria can be helped by the existence of bitcoin. like the example through the generous hands that the OP wrote.

This is very wonderful to me as a Nigerian. The primary problems that the government cannot solve are now being done by the bitcoin industry, which the government has worked very hard to frustrate.
Thank you guys for touching our lives.

It is not "Bitcoin" that funded this, it was the kindness of the people that are using bitcoins... that funded this project. When projects are funded by people using "Fiat" currencies, people do not rant and rave over the currency that was used, so why should it be different for this project.

We should thank the people who organized this and the people who donated "money" to fund it. Thank you to the generous people in the Bitcoin community who opened their wallets to help to pay for the most precious resource those people need.  ;)

This is heartwarming to hear. These little acts of kindness are giving more meaning to Bitcoin.

Thanks for some wonderful things that Bitcoin has brought, even though they may not know what Bitcoin is, what is blockchain, or simpler technology, even without smartphones, but they are the beneficiaries of Bitcoin, except Thankfully, the rest is that the world is no longer constrained by poverty.