Wynantskill business brings water to Tanzania’s villages

 July 28, 2016 04:22 PM

WYNANTSKILL – “It’s such a great technology that can be used in so many ways that people don’t even know yet,” The Sky Is Not Limited owner, Kevin Bailey explained.

It began as an idea in Wynantskill.

“When the pump is on, it is pumping water into this 3,000-liter tank and just storing it for later use,” Bailey noted.

WEB EXTRA: Kevin Bailey

Kevin Bailey would take his dream of using solar power as an energy source, more than 7,000 miles east, to Tanzania, Africa.”You can see this girl holding bottle of actual clear water,” Bailey pointed to a photograph.

Run by Maria Pool, the Africa Reflections Foundation has been installing generator powered wells since the early 2000’s.

But for villagers who don’t have access to gasoline or money, the solar wells are a necessity.

“It’s a really good feeling, I’m sure everyone is just happy about it, it’s just a beautiful thing,” Bailey said.

Over five trips, Kevin would refit and install a dozen wells, each costing $15,000.

The sky isn’t the limit for his company and the opportunities proved to be endless when he received an email from Wells Fargo.

“They said you’ve been selected to receive a property at 21 Douglas Street for rehab.”

It took 13 months to transform this house.

Bailey added, “It was rough.”

But now the three bedroom is under contract and after the sale goes through, Kevin will turn a profit.

“We’re going to be right around $60,000 so we’re hoping that’ll be around four wells.”

Four more wells. Giving a gift that many of us take for granted.

“It was worth it,” Bailey said, “Absolutely worth it. I’d do it again in a second.”

 

Credits

Karen Tararache