gemma's blog

Natural and Manmade Disasters in the Philippines

Submitted by gemma on 1 November 2009

September 26th 2009, Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) made landfall in Luzon dumping over 12” of rain in 6 hrs on Manila and other parts of the National Capital Region. This caused massive urban flooding, 280+ deaths, destroyed homes and shelters of millions of people. Five days later, typhoon Pepeng (Parma) made landfall in northern Luzon, devastating agriculture in the Cagayan Valley. It then hung around the north west coast m

35,000 PEOPLE IMPACTED IN THE Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao!

Submitted by gemma on 22 October 2009

A Single Drop for SafeWater attended a celebration of Governance symposium hosted by the Local Governance Support Program in the ARMM Provinces in partnership with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) as they honored LGU accomplishments as a result of their programs. Seven municipalities were in attendance and eighteen awards were given to LGUs who transformed in the areas of governance, economic development, gender and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene).

Congratulations! Gemma WINS the Ernst Young/Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award!

Submitted by gemma on 17 October 2009

gem trophies Congratuations to Gemma Bulos, Founder of A Single Drop, the winner of the Ernst Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award in partnership with

ASDSW opens a Satellite Office in Cotabato City!

Submitted by gemma on 14 October 2009

ASDSW has been working in the ARMM Provinces for the past 3 years where we have seen significant impact and transformation. One of our main programs was in partnership with LGSPA (Local Governance Support Program in ARMM) to develop the WASH Inventory and Analysis Workshop and to strengthen the capacity of Municipal WASH Task Force (MWTF), the Water Sanitation Associations (WSAs) and local NGOs to be able to create effective WASH Plans to address the water and sanitation needs of their communities.

Portable Microbiology in the Field

Submitted by gemma on 10 March 2009

water test field

Lupang Pangako, Zambales

Portable Water Testing Training with Dr Robert Metcalf

Submitted by gemma on 30 January 2009

Bob and Staff

A Single Drop for SafeWater had the pleasure of hosting Dr Robert Metcalf, the developer of the Portable Microbiology Lab. ASDSW staff learned attended a Trainer's Training for the PML and are currently the only certified PML Trainers and Distributors in the country.

Growth and Resilience

Submitted by gemma on 21 December 2008

2008: Rewriting the Story

Submitted by gemma on 21 December 2008

A new world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing. Arundhati Roy

My dear friends

Ready to Serve

Submitted by gemma on 5 November 2008

Written by Anonymous

7 Years On the Road: Where to Begin?

Submitted by gemma on 25 August 2008

It’s hard to believe this whole mission began with a song. I don’t know even where to begin to tell this story. I guess the best place to start is now. All the memories on the road, the thousands of people I have met and learned from have become such amazing pieces of the mosaic that has become this mission.

Water Wisdom

Water connects....