Comments for Ron Rivera

Comment on Tribute to Ron Rivera by ladelman

ladelman — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:33:37 +0000

I am deeply saddened to learn of Ron’s passing. I met Ron in 1996 when I was 20 and an intern for Potters for Peace in Nicaragua. Ron told me then that I probably wouldn’t know how much the experience impacted me until many years later. He was right. What he may not have realized at the time was how great an impact he would have on my life. Twelve years later I know that I would not be doing what I do now if it were not for Ron. Ron taught me about activism, humanity and working for what you believe in. His enthusiasm for his work, for life and for clay was inspiring. I learned more from Ron in those 6 months than I did in my many years in college. Ron was an incredible human being. From the women in the rural pottery collective I worked with in the Northern mountains of Nicaragua, to me a young woman born and raised in New York, he touched so many lives in such lasting and important ways. I am just one of so many people whose life Ron changed. The world has lost a great man, but his impact will continue through the people he worked with and taught.

My thoughts are with Kathy and the rest of his family.

Comment on Tribute to Ron Rivera by Ivania

Ivania — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:34:45 +0000

No podía creerlo cuando esta mañana trataba de traducir el email de Henk….Hace 4 anos Ron contacto con nosotros, Argenol, en Zaragoza, Espana, para que enviasemos plata para una de sus nuevas fabricas. Sin comprender muy bien la finalidad, enviamos nuestro primer producto. Desde entonces nos ha llenado de orgullo dedicar esa pequena parte de la fabricacion a este proposito, agua limpia para todos!

Este ano, en el que se celebra la Exposicion Internacional sobre el Agua en Zaragoza, un Filtron ha mostrado durante los 91 días que ha durado la exposición, el proyecto de Ron. Voluntarios de la exposicion explicaban la importante finalidad: un sistema tan sencillo, economico y eficaz para potabilizar agua.

Amigo Ron, te aseguro que desde esta posicion vamos a hacer lo imposible para que se construyan esas 100 fabricas. Has dejado amigos en todos los rincones y una ilusion contagiosa para que continuemos con tu objetivo. Cuenta, desde donde estes, con este grupo zaragozano, orgulloso de colaborar en tu proyecto.

Ivana

I could not believe it when this morning while trying to translate Henk’s email…. 4 years ago, Ron contacted us, Argenol, in Zaragoza, Spain, to send silver for one of its new factories. Without understanding exactly what it was for, we sent our first product. Since then we have been very proud to be able to provide a small part of our manufacturing to this cause– clean water for everyone!

{This year, in which we celebrate La Exposicion International sobre el Agua (the International Exhibition on Water) in Zaragoza, a Filtron (Ron’s project) has been on show during the 90 day exhibition. Exhibition volunteers explained its important function: a system so simple, economical, and effective used to create potable water.

To my friend Ron: I assure you that from now on we will do everything in order to build those 100 factories. Your friends all over the world have seen your vision and will continue with your goal. Count on us, on this group of Zaragozanos, who are proud to share your vision and goal and continue with your project. }

Ivana

Comment on Tribute to Ron Rivera by paulz1

paulz1 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:09:03 +0000

To all who knew Ron for a much longer time than I, ands most especially his family, my prayers are for you and Ron. I am but a new comer to PRP and the Filtron miracle to which Ron introduced me in the Spring of 2006 during my visit to Minagua. Ron graciously supplied me with loads of data, photos, and trained me for a week on the fine points of starting a Filtron operation. I remember well Ron saying that before he leaves this world, his goal is to establish 100 Filtron operations around the world. Now he has a front row seat from which to watch and cheer as other csrry forth with his dream. One of the pages of his dream will be started in western Kenya early in 2009 and all the Kenyans working there will know Ron throught the videos and “how-to” material I will use to train the weatern Kenyan platoon of Ron’s Army.

Paul Zimmerman

Comment on Tribute to Ron Rivera by samcallister

samcallister — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 04:29:39 +0000

When I heard news of Ron’s passing my heart sunk. How could a person I admired so much, someone I wish I could model my own life after, have left us so soon.

I do not have the long history many others have with Ron, we met only once. I was only in college when we met and I still thought I alone could change the world – Ron was one of the few people that gave me this hope. With Engineers Without Borders we utilized many different technologies to bring potable water to a small village in Rwanda and I even finished my senior thesis on “Sustainable Water Filtration Technologies.” Then I graduated, keeping my predecessors informed of P4P and their vision. Although we had implemented Solar Cookers, Compost Briquetting for fuel, and a gravity fed water system in Rwanda – a P4P operation never made it to fruition – despite hours of conversation with Ron. I eventually found a steady job with a big company, and great job security. Although I feel like in my current position I somehow make a difference in the lives of others – today brought back all sorts of emotions, and I wish I could give as much as he. His smile, his passion, and the discussion we had about the world at that dinner table one hot and humid night in Nicaragua – something that sticks in my mind to this day. He will be missed, a true ambassador of peace.

In Ron’s memory I would like to share a prayer that my mom loved to share with me – a prayer that speaks to the true message of what Ron did with his work and what he believed in.

“Let the rain come and wash away the ancient grudges, the bitter hatreds held and nurtured over generations. Let the rain wash away the memory of the hurt, the neglect. Then let the sun come out and fill the sky with rainbows. Let the warmth of the sun heal us wherever we are broken. Let it burn away the fog so that we can see each other clearly. So that we can see beyond labels, beyond accents, gender or skin color. Let the warmth and brightness of the sun melt our selfishness. So that we can share the joys and feel the sorrows of our neighbors. Let the earth, nourished by rain bring forth flowers to surround us with beauty. And let the mountains teach our hearts to reach upward to heaven.” – Rabbi Harold S. Kushner

Thank you Ron.
~ Skye McAllister

Comment on Ron Rivera by Hem K. Pokharel

Hem K. Pokharel — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:05:51 +0000

May Ron’s vision to work for underprivilaged people lives on until there is no single soul that does not have access to clean water. Ron has set an example and paved a way for all of us.
I met Ron many times. I first met him at a workshop on Ceramic filter in Feb, 2004 in Florida. He taught me how to make ceramic pot filter at that workshop. After that we stayed in close contact and got together to discuss about filters few times here in Boston. During his last couple of visit he repeated one sentence many times and that is “Lets make a dent in UN Millennium goal in atleast one developing countries” . His last vist to Solutions Benefiting Life was on May,2008. He was very upbeat as always.

Ron was my mentor. I hope his effort to promote Silvered Ceramic Filter lives on. May Ceramic Pot Filter Man’s soul rest in peace.

Peace,
Hem K. Pokharel

Hem K. Pokharel
Solutions Benefiting Life

Comment on Ron Rivera by a7xlover

a7xlover — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:54:25 +0000

ron was my dads best friend, they were like brothers and he was like another father to me. When i was 2 we went to visit him and the minute i walked in he said “lets fight!” and being a 2 year old i was thrilled and got into a game of play fighting with him. we have pictures of me standing over him in overalls and a smile on both our faces. Every time i think about him a wave of disbelief washes over me. it just doesn’t seem possible that he’s gone. my dad told me that he had denge fever and that he was probably going to be alright. then next day when i got back from school i came into his office and he broke the news to me. that was one of the worst moments of my life. he acomplished so much in his life and will be remembered by the people he helped and loved for their lives and their childrens lives. He was the greatest man i knew and ever will know.

Comment on I met Ron in the early 90s by julietchallis

julietchallis — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:25:25 +0000

Thank you to the person who created this blog.
I was on the brigade with Ron earlier this year and found his enthusiasm and energy totally infectious. Ron was one in a million and I feel privileged to have met him. The world has been robbed of this way too soon. My heart goes out to all of those who met and loved him. He certainly lived up to the Buddhist saying, “Live wider not longer”

Comment on I met Ron in the early 90s by zouclay

zouclay — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 15:49:26 +0000

My Ron comments:
http://blipfoto.com/view.php?id=185362&month=9&year=2008

Comment on ¡Hola mundo! by Señor WordPress

Señor WordPress — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:50:18 +0000

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