In many third world countries, the women and children spend several hours each day trekking from their isolated villages to the nearest water source, often several miles away. They collect the bacteria-infested water from swampy, stagnant ponds, and then lug home 40-pound jugs. When they arrive back in their village, they will filter the filthy water through a piece of fabric to remove larger bit of debris. Then comes the decision of how to use the water – drinking, cooking, bathing, or cleaning?
The consequences of distant and dirty water are expansive – heath, education, families, and businesses suffer. The consequences of the water crisis are also preventable.
When Scott Harrison first visited Libera in 2004 as a volunteer photo-journalist, he saw countless individuals who had been mutilated by disease and disabled by their harsh living conditions. After several years of living the high life and partying for a living, the reality shock brought the grown man to tears. After one year abroad, Scott vowed to give up all of his vices and his old style of living. He swore that, despite his debt, he would start a charity to help the people he'd met in West Africa.
Though he explored many options, water seemed the obvious choice. Everyone should have easy access to easy water, and there's already a solution; it's simply a matter of funding. Scott did his research and quickly realized that the other water charities were making little headway. Many people don't trust charities because they can't see where their money is going, and they may not understand exactly what the charity is working towards.
Photo by Armosa Studios
In 2006, Scott Harrison founded charity: water. In doing so, he not only started a charity; he reinvented charity.
- charity: water follows the 100% model. Every cent donated goes towards projects that provide clean water and the organization has full transparency. All overhead costs are covered by private donors.
- charity: water provide proof that your contribution has funded a completed project. Within about 18 months of your donation, of any denomination, you'll receive a notification containing a picture of the well or filtration project, as well as the GPS coordinates.
- charity: water has developed itself as a brand. The organization is about aspiration and problem solving, not just fundraising. They rely heavily on social media (Facebook and Twitter), word-of-mouth, relevant and emotionally affective advertising, and fundraising events.
The smallest investment can have a monumental impact:
- Every $1 invested in the water project leads to $12 profit for the village receiving access to clean water.
- $20 provides one person with clean water for 20 years.
- $5,000 will build a well and sustain a village indefinitely.
I've been aware of charity: water for about three years now and have donated a few times, but building that personal connection with the founder, understanding the ins and outs of the cause, and then learning about the recipients of the water really bolstered my support. These aren't foreign sub-humans; these are real people just like you and I, with families, dreams, and amazingly, hope .
In a few short months, I'll be pledging my 24th birthday to charity: water. Rather than asking for money, books, or a night out with friends, I'll be requesting that my friends and family help me raise $5,000 to build a well and water a village, and truly enhance the lives of others in need. I can only imagine the immense satisfaction that will bring me, those who give, and those who receive. For once in my life, I'm actually kind of looking forward to my birthday. (Click here to learn about giving up your next birthday to bring clean water to people in need.)
charity: water is an incredible organization with an enthralling back-story and brilliant, ever-evolving plan of action. Scott Harrison's goal is for everyone on Earth to have access to clean water. I believe that's entirely possible. Water changes everything. We all have the power to make a different, and in this case, to actually see the impact.
What a beautiful, generous idea. I gave up birthday gifts a long time ago, when I had kids and I started asking for any money people would spend on me to just give it towards my kids’ college educations or for extra-curricular activities. But I will still click on the link just to see what it’s all about! Maybe I could swap out another festive occasion?
That’s a wonderful idea, and still sacrificing your own potential pleasure for a bigger cause that you care about. (If I ever have kids, I would ask for money towards education or family activities, as well.) I don’t like the attention or gifts of birthdays, so I’m looking forward to directing that attention towards a good cause, rather than just going into hiding this year. There are all kind of possibilities when it comes to raising money, especially when you’re supporting a good cause.
So refreshing to find a true charitable organization sans hypocrisy! I will share this on my FB page and Twitter and encourage my friends to contribute along with me. Thank you for sharing this simple way that we can all fulfill our need to make a difference.
Thank you so much – I think it’s a cause worth supporting, and knowledge of what’s going on behind the scenes really makes the message that much more powerful.
I swear you challenge me to be a better person at least once a month. Alright soon-to-be-birthday-girl, let’s do this. Let’s build a well.
I’m so happy to hear that. I’m not up on some soapbox or pedestal, and I struggle with things just as often as I’m wildly inspired. My hope is that simply being honest about everything on both ends will remind people that they, too, can do little things to make a big difference. Yes, let’s build a well!
Inspiring!! more so because water is a precious commodity in many parts of my country. children are forced to stay out of school so that they can help fetch water.. leading to many other social fall outs.
I agree entirely. Before this presentation, I didn’t realize how many ways the water problem affects people…access to water can really make such a difference.
Thanks for the heads-up. I had never heard of this charity, but I made my donation after your summary of the good they do.
Awesome! I’m so happy to hear that.
Erin, There was a way to donate to your Domination Summit before… Perhaps you could set one of those things up again for this? Are you sponsoring a project? I don’t think I could find enough people to help me raise $5000 so I’m happy to help you do it in someway. Let us know ok?
I’m not currently sponsoring a project. You’re given a 3-month fundraising period and my birthday is in November, so I’ll be setting something up in 2 to 3 months, for a 3-month duration. $5,000 is a huge, huge goal, but I figure it doesn’t hurt to dream big, and any amount below that would still be fantastic. I will most definitely share the link when I’ve set up my project.
UNICEF’s Tap Water project does the same thing, which takes place during National Water week, I’ve been meaning to get back into it, after I’m done with everything.
[...] July, I saw Scott Harrison, founder of charity:water, speak at World Domination Summit 2012 (read more here). After his presentation, the entire audience was on the verge of tears. When the man on stage [...]