Format for printing Reuse/Reprint
	Donate! Donate by credit card Donate by check Donate stock Foolanthropy Home
	Discussion Boards Foolanthropy

Every eight seconds, a child dies of a water-related disease. We're used to hearing about hunger in the world, but the fact that almost one-fourth of humanity lives without proper access to water and sanitation usually escapes us. According to the World Health Organization, roughly half of all people in developing countries are suffering from one or more of the six main diseases associated with an unclean water supply and poor sanitation (diarrhea, ascaris, dracunculiasis, hookworm, schistosomiasis, and trachoma). Every year, more than 5 million people die from illnesses linked to unsafe water.

Enter Lifewater. Lifewater International is an organization of water resource specialists that brings clean water to communities the world over via wells. It has more than 150 volunteers (well drillers, geologists, engineers, healthcare professionals, scientists, and businessmen) who train local people in developing countries to improve their drinking water supplies.

Lifewater donates all the necessary equipment to the trained local crew and continues to provide technical and financial support until they are self-sufficient. The cost of a well and hand pump, which serves 200 to 500 people, ranges from $450 to $2,500 depending on the country and local conditions.

Since 1979, Lifewater has completed, or is now working on, water projects in 50 countries on five continents. National crews trained by Lifewater have installed an estimated 1,500 wells and water systems, serving more than 600,000 people. This grassroots program empowers local people to break the cycle of disease and poverty caused by unsafe drinking water.

Most impressive of all, Lifewater achieves all this for an average of about $4 per person for a lifetime of clean water.

This inspiring organization came to us via an outstanding nomination on our discussion board. Jeff Bjorck, the author, pointed out that, among other things, Lifewater is a Christian organization that serves all people, regardless of creed. He added, "Indeed, the vast majority of those who have benefited from Lifewater services have been people of faiths other than Christianity."

Lifewater has been around for some 20 years, but it remains a small (yet incredibly effective) organization. In 1999 it took in less than $1 million. Lifewater has more projects than it's currently able to fund, so if we can raise $100,000, it'll be able to pay for five drill-training projects, each of which includes a drill rig, parts and supplies, and travel expenses for a few volunteers. Each drill can drill enough wells to supply water to more than 25,000 people.

Lifewater has pledged to spend 100% of Fool-donated funds on projects, and 0% on administration. Please join us as we try to raise even more than $100,000 for Lifewater.

Have you read about America's Second Harvest?