With worldwide attention on Venezuela, the USA attempts to install a new government, and Russia's military has moved to the region, backing Maduro. The country is at a standstill and people are dying of malnutrition, dehydration, and treatable illnesses.

This is the 22<sup>nd</sup> week of our efforts to raise Steem to buy a water pump for @edgargonzalez! Help us fund the pump, and instantly bring water to a thirsty neighborhood!

<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmT9UGycQSB9M8YSn7v9dXiNcLNYFyzNJ9trxTV8sQZU1h/image.png)</center>

<h3>Background</h3>

Severe economic and political crisis over the past few years in the South American country of Venezuela intensified recently, as president Maduro doubled down on his currency manipulation, price-fixing, propagandizing citizens, and suppressing resistance. You've heard about the country's recent turmoil. But the world's media isn't showing us even half the reality!

I met a few people from Venezuela, and I started to hear their interesting stories - and ask questions. I discovered the dark truth about the economic and political situation there. Shops are empty, people are hungry - the economy is at a standstill. Theft, corruption, and violence escalate as society breaks down. Millions are fleeing on foot - if they can escape. The harsh socialist government attempts to control almost every aspect of life, and blames problems on the people. Most government services (like running water) work only in certain areas - or not at all.

The people are desperate for any change and protests sometimes fill the streets for miles. Maduro announced that Venezuela will no longer accept US Dollars for oil exports, then tried to get his country's gold back from Bank of England, who refused. The Russian military has become involved, supporting Maduro. The Americans back their puppet, a previously-unknown man called Guaidó. It seems that violence may be coming.

<h3>Edgar</h3>

A few months ago, I met Edgar (@edgargonzalez), a Venezuelan man about my age. He's a father of young children, and a professional whose job disappeared because of the crisis. He feeds his family by fishing, foraging for fruits, and growing cassava on his late-father's plantation. He uses Steemit to share his stories and earn Steem to buy food. Shortly after I met Edgar, a power outage caused a failure of the pump used to bring water up to the farm. A repairman confirmed the pump is beyond fixing. Edgar had been using his well to water his crops, and to provide drinking water to his children and other families in the neighborhood. Without a pump to bring water up from the aquifer, his gardens have withered - and the neighborhood must forage for water elsewhere.

<center>![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmdZNdK4QL6x8zRnPwLCFsvVCcRPS7wkNBQqUnFMuphkjW/image.png)</center>

<center><i>( Edgar <a href="https://steemit.com/english/@edgargonzalez/march-for-youth-day-and-support-for-humanitarian-aid-for-venezuela">this week</a> taking part in a large demonstration. )</i></center>

Without government water services, and now without water from his well, Edgar and a few other families are in a tough situation. I wondered what a poor Canadian man could do to help. After using the Steem blockchain to learn about the problems, I realized that it could also be the SOLUTION!

That's when I first began <a href="https://steemit.com/venezuela/@drutter/mission-agua-possible-using-steemit-to-help-a-desperate-venezuelan-neighborhood-access-clean-water">Mission Agua-possible</a>! Once we gather 1300 USD worth of Steem, I'll transfer it to Edgar, to be converted to cash to buy the pump.

Getting this pump for the farm as soon as possible is vital. Water is life!

<h3>Steady progress</h3>

We received a direct donation of 9.5 Steem from @fishyculture early in the week, and then 5.0 Steem from @dividebyzero more recently. Thank you both so very much!

<a href="https://steemit.com/fundraising/@drutter/week-21-of-mission-agua-possible-your-support-will-bring-water-to-a-devastated-venezuelan-neighborhood">Last week's post</a> received many small upvotes totalling just over a dollar, so that will add a few more Steem to the total as well.

Resteems help get new eyes (and upvotes) into the project, so thank you if you're able to resteem occasionally.

Much appreciation to those who upvoted last week:

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmWA2xfzjhokhPjZhpAU9cnMM2fuJpgaZCutE2aKkvQruZ/image.png)

<h2>Week 22</h2>

week 21 funds: 150.453 Steem

new funds:

- week 21 post payout = 0.067 SBD, 1.369 STEEM, 1.592 STEEM POWER = 3.184 Steem
- 5.0 Steem direct donation from @dividebyzero
- 9.5 Steem direct donation from @fishyculture
- you can send me Steem directly and your donation will be noted here

Total funds: 168.137 Steem

x 0.319 USD/Steem = $53.97 USD (of $1300)

Current progress: 4.1%

![](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSngUUF2x5g5HvkgmWBL1hoJQBTFfoqcXwh4KCQzh47pj/image.png)

Now up to 168 Steem, currently worth $54, we're 1/25 of the way to fully funded.

One year ago, Steem was worth over $7. If Steem was that price now, our current tally (168) would be enough to buy the $1300 pump!

Either we will slowly build, or the market will shift and we will get a big boost! No matter what, this project is going to succeed, and Edgar's neighborhood will have fresh water again!

<b>Upvoting this post is appreciated so much! 100% goes to the project.</b>

Mission Agua-Possible will help many people, and inspire other great projects. It's a group success story, playing out on the Steem blockchain. Together, we're going to dramatically improve the lives of a whole neighborhood that really needs it!

DRutter