Biodegradable water bottles provide relief in Haiti

HAITI - Six years ago, a Lee's Summit woman left her growing career in marketing to become a mother. A recent mission trip would put those skills back to work delivering one of life necessities to those in need.

Last year, Moree Scofield, wife and mother of three, got what she calls a "life interruption" when a friend challenged her to go on a Mission trip to Haiti.

"Frankly, I didn't think I had any business going to another country taking care of other children when I had three at home of my own." says Scofield.

With encouragement from her family, she went. Immediately the needs of the children consumed her. Especially a young girl, Renece, whose job was to walk long distances to fetch water for a local land owner; a dangerous job many girls share. One night Renece was attacked.

"Unfortunately due to the attack and getting raped by a gang of men and boys, she became pregnant at the age of 11. It broke my heart. I realized when I got home, I can't save the world but I can try my best."

Moree formed D'lo water, a nonprofit company whose proceeds go towards making fresh water available in countries like Haiti, in the hopes of preventing stories like Renece's.

According to Moree, D'lo water also tackles an environmental issue. "It seemed like a contradiction to say we are going to help one crisis but contribute to another, so not only are we working to give clean water but we are also trying to put less of a footprint on the environment by saying we've got a biodegradable bottle, its not going to take a 1,000 years, but in some cases, it will only take a year."

In January, Moree will go back to Haiti to install a water purification system. She hopes it will be the first of many funded by D'lo Charities.

If you would like to contribute to D'lo waters, you can visit their website at  dlowater.com/