Organization Spotlight ~ Charity: Water – Making Clean Water Accessible To Those In Developing Nations

Thirsty?

For many of us our thirst is easily quenched.  All we have to do is simply head to the sink or refrigerator to grab a glass or bottle of water. Even when we are concerned about the safety of tap water or perhaps Bisphenol-A, we can easily correct that with a trip to a store to purchase a water purification system or a stainless steel bottle.

It is hard to imagine that almost one billion people do not have access to clean drinking water.  That is over three times the population of the United States, and nearly thirty times the population of Canada!

Unclean water and lack of sanitation claims the lives of 30,000 people weekly. Children are especially vulnerable, and sadly, make up 90% of this figure. For our Organization Spotlight today we are featuring an amazing organization who believe “Clean water changes everything”.  Charity: Water‘s mission is to bring “clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.”

Families who simply have enough – enough water to drink, bathe, clean and grow their own food have the chance to become self-sufficient, reducing the potential for them to be impacted by famine, a lack of government assistance, or external conflict. Additionally, drinking related deaths would decrease, as would the hours spent by women and children each day walking to the source should “water projects” be built near their homes.

Charity: Water invites us to go on the same journey 1 of every 8 people face.  A statement from their website reads:

“We invite you to put yourself in their shoes. Follow them on their daily journey. Carry 80 pounds of water in yellow fuel cans. Dig with their children in sand for water. Line up at a well and wait eight hours for a turn.”

The organization is vocal about the fact that they aren’t offering “grand solutions”, instead they are focusing on “simple things that work” such as freshwater wells, rainwater catchments and sand filters.  They believe that $20 a person can help millions.

100% of donations by the public go directly to water project costs.  This is made possible thanks to private donors, foundations and sponsors, whose donations cover Charity: Water’s operating costs.

To date, Charity: Water has raised 40 million dollars and funded approximately 4,282 water projects making clean water a reality for countless men, women and children.

To learn more about the organization and their mission, or to learn how to participate in the efforts visit them on their website here or follow them on twitter at @charitywater.