On November 13, Deep Springs International was one of 16 groups to receive the Templeton Freedom Award (chosen from among 170 applications from 58 countries). This $10,000 grant was given by the Atlas Foundation to help Deep Springs International advance its mission of improved water treatment. 

Deep Springs International has three facets to its mission: 1) partnering with various Haitian organizations to treat impure water and turn it into healthy, drinking water; 2) teaching high school students how to properly treat water, help them find jobs in water treatment, and learn about healthy water to bring back to use in their homes with their families; and 3) teaching high school graduates entrepreneurial skills in business management to generate their own revenue. 

Deep Springs developed a partnership with World Concern to train 37 teachers in water treatment and an entrepreneurial studies curriculum. These teachers are currently educating students in eight schools in southern Haiti.  Ruth's dream of Kingdom building came to fruition in 2006 when she developed Deep Springs International.  Upon receiving her 501(c)3 status, Ruth knew she needed to further her education in order to successfully run her ministry.  The knowledge she gained in Eastern's MBA in Economic Development program has been imperative to Deep Springs International's success.

"Sure, I knew the country needed help, but Eastern really helped me gain preparedness, the ability to help and a strategic way to go about it," Entwistle said. "At Eastern, I had a great deal of exposure to international development, and I learned about development approaches and theories."

Eastern University's MBA in Economic Development program equips grace-filled servants to partner with the poor in cities such as Nairobi, Mumbai, Mexico City, as well as rural communities all over the world. The program taught Entwistle holistic intervention strategies that address the underlying economic, social, cultural, political and spiritual challenges abroad and in the United States.  Entwistle said,  "The program also gave me the network of my classmates, who continue to support me although I have graduated." 

While Deep Springs International remains a young ministry, Entwistle has big dreams for her organization.  She hopes to find the best sustainable model for water treatment production and replicate these facilities throughout Haiti so the entire country has access to healthy water.  "I want to provide solutions in areas that aren't being served by working and building partnerships," she said. 

To learn more about Deep Springs International, visit www.deepspringsinternational.org.  Ruth Entwistle can be reached at Deep Springs International, PO Box 135, Townville, PA 16360.

For more information about Eastern University's MBA in Economic Development Program, visit www.eastern.edu/sld.