Today we’d like to introduce you to Cass Maenius and Wes (SniperShot) Brown.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cass and Wes (SniperShot). So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The idea for SacredHeart Water was born after a two-year journey living/backpacking in South and Central America (what I sometimes refer to as my water-borne illness tour of Latin America). My experience led me to Lake Atitlan, Guatemala where I befriended Dallas native and Creative Visionary Sherrie Locke at the SacredWay Garden. We spent a significant amount of time dreaming up ideas, solutions, and projects.
We noticed that we repeatedly said “someone” should do something about these water situations, which turned into a realization that maybe we were the “someone”. Fast forward to Dallas where we met Hip-hop Rapper Wes (SniperShot) Brown, an activist who is also passionate about human rights. Together we launched SacredHeart Water and hit the ground running to create positive change through educating, raising awareness, and giving clean water.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I cannot say that the road has been smooth exactly. I will say that it has been challenging, adventurous, exciting, fulfilling, and constantly pushing us all to grow and expand our skill sets and visions. As a visionary, it is easy to have creative ideas. The challenge is actually acting on the idea and believe that you will achieve it when the world around you tells you it’s impossible and that you shouldn’t try.
We believe it is a human right for everyone on the planet to have access to clean and free water. When that is a tall order, privilege, or revolutionary idea, that is the exact moment when we must come together to create change and give free water. I knew this project had a strong learning curve and that finding filters, raising donations, and finding materials in a foreign country may be difficult.
However, I never dreamed that the biggest challenge would be to peak people’s interest and involvement about a subject that our collective livelihood depends upon. Challenges aside, every bit of effort has been massively worth it, especially when you see someone receiving a filter with a huge smile and tears of joy in their eyes. The Maya have been so excited, proud, and thankful to have clean water for their families; it’s a blessing to witness.
Even though the path has had its ups downs, twists, and turns, we’re learning to strap in, focus on the goal, trust the road, and dare I say- dream bigger. I’m considering changing the word challenge to adventure in my vocabulary.
Please tell us about SacredHeart Water.
SacredHeart Water is a Dallas, Texas 501(c)c non-profit with a hub at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Our mission is to provide clean water where it is needed.
We are proud that in our first year we were able to provide clean water to almost 200 indigenous Maya at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala and create Dallas’ first Seeds and Sounds Fest, a free event where we invited everyone to a community garden build with a simultaneous concert and workshops. One of our 2018 goals is to install community water stations at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. I’m really thankful that I can do these awesome projects with my best friends while meeting wonderful people and making a difference.
I’m proud of how much we have accomplished with very few resources. I think what sets us apart is that we aren’t hugely funded, that we don’t have an agenda, political, or religious affiliation. It’s hard to put us in a box and there will always be a creative touch. We are visionaries, artists, and humanitarian activists reminding people that water is a human right and inviting them to get involved.
Pricing:
- We are currently seeking $3,000 for a community water station at Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
- $25 provides a water filtration system for a family
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sacredheartwater.org
- Email: sacredheartwater@gmail.com
- Instagram: @sacredheartwater
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/SacredHeartH2O
Image Credit:
Travis Stinson
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