August 15, 2012
Mike Beadle of M&S Architectural in Gilford, just south of Barrie, has worked in Nicaragua leading a water filtration project.

“In 2007, I went down on a mission trip and saw the need for clean water in a very poor mountain region near the city of Matagalpa,” says Beadle. Upon his return from Nicaragua, he saw a feature information item from Samaritin’s Purse, a non-denominational Christian international relief agency. Through the agency, he found out about Turn on the Tap using the bio-sand water filter. After some research, Beadle went to the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology Canada in Calgary and was trained as a bio-sand water filter technician and trainer.

Since 2009, M&S Architectural has installed 95 filters, which bring clean water to over 700 people in four remote mountain villages. “It has been a great experience leading three teams of 20 to 30 people. Our website is http://matagalpa2011.dyndns.org. We have taken over $75,000 worth of medications through HPI Canada to the medical clinic and mission we work with in Nicaragua,” says Beadle.