That's why it is so crazy to think that over a BILLION people on this planet don't have access to clean water or sanitation facilities (like toilets, showers, and sinks).
As stated by charity:water founder Scott Harrison, water is "the most basic of human needs." That is why the World Water Crisis is such a HUGE issue. That is why it is public enemy #1.
That is also why charity:water is not alone in the fight against unsafe water. There are many, many other organizations that focus on the same issue. One of the other organizations that I have stumbled upon is Water.org. I researched the organization a bit, and found that it is very similar to charity:water.
About Water.org
Water.org began as two separate non-profit organizations: H2O Africa and WaterPartners.
H2O Africa was co-founded by actor Matt Damon (who also serves as the official spokesman). Before becoming part of Water.org, it was a part of the Running the Sahara expedition and film project.
The expedition consisted of three men who took on the challenge of running 4 thousand miles across The Great Sahara Desert in Africa. The men undertook this expedition in order to raise awareness for the people around the world who do not have access to clean water. A film crew followed the three men for every step of their journey. The footage was later turned into a documentary film, which was narrated by Matt Damon. Damon got the idea of starting a water-based charity during the planning of the Running the Sahara expedition. H2O Africa was formally launched in September 2006.
WaterPartners International was founded in 1990 by Gary White (who also served as the executive director of the organization). It was an American non-profit developmental aid organization with the purpose of fighting the World Water Crisis.
In July 2009, H2O Africa and WaterPartners merged to form Water.org. It was co-founded by Matt Damon (of H2O Africa) and Gary White (of WaterPartners).
charity:water & Water.org
As I said before, there are many similarities between charity:water and Water.org. These similarities range from the overall idea behind the organizations, to the way that their ideas are carried out. They are, in a sense, two peas in a pod.
The Mission
The first similarity is pretty obvious. charity:water and Water.org are working toward a unified goal: putting an end to the World Water Crisis by providing safe drinking water and basic sanitation to people in developing nations.
Creation
charity:water and Water.org were also created in similar ways, for similar reasons. Scott Harrison and Matt Damon have both lived glamorous lives. Damon, an incredibly successful actor and screenwriter, has walked the red carpet, attended A-list parties, and appeared on the cover of magazines for years. Harrison, a former nightclub and party promoter, lived the lavish, fast-paced life of a celebrity for many years.
Both men also decided to start water-based non-profit organizations after spending time in Africa and coming face to face with extreme poverty.
Harrison got the idea after spending 8 months off the west coast of Africa as a photojournalist for Mercy Ships, which offers free medical care to those who do not normally have access to it. While volunteering for the organization, Harrison saw thousands of people suffering from diseases that are fairly easily treated in places like the United States. Mercy Ships gave many people in Africa a second-chance at a long, healthy life, and that is what Harrison aimed to do when he returned from his trip.
Application
Not only do charity:water and Water.org have the same mission, they also go about solving the crisis in very similar ways....
- Both raise funds for water projects through both private and public investors. (The only difference is that charity:water is funded by grants completely. Water.org is funded through both grants and loans. They are the first in the field to use loans.)
- Both build freshwater wells and sanitation facilities (toilets, hand-washing stations).
- Both help educate the community on the importance of hygiene and sanitation.
- Both work with local partners to find solutions tailored to each community's specific needs.
- Both work with members of the community throughout the entire process.
- Both see that a committee is elected to oversee the continued success and maintenance of the project.
- Both promote gender equality by ensuring women are part of the committee in charge of the project. (It only seems fair that women have a say, considering they are often the ones who are in charge of collecting water.)
- Both sell merchandise (such as water bottles and clothing) to help generate funds and raise awareness.
Who They Have Helped
charity:water and Water.org have both helped build projects in multiple impoverished countries. charity:water has funded over 3 thousand projects in 17 countries, helping over one million people. Water.org has helped over 200 communities in 8 countries.
Here is a list of who they have helped:
charity:water
Here is a list of who they have helped:
charity:water
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- Central African Republic
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Ethiopia
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Ivory Coast
- Kenya
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Nepal
- Rwanda
- Sierra Leone
- Tanzania
- Uganda
Water.org
- Bangladesh
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Kenya
- Uganda
Though charity:water has impacted the lives of more people than Water.org, it does not take away from what Water.org is doing. They share a common goal. They both want to put an end to world thirst. They both want to bring safe water and sanitation to the entire world. It doesn't matter who is making the bigger impact. They are in essence a team.
Information and photos courtesy of
- charity:water
- Water.org
- H2OAfrica.org
- WaterPartners
- Looktothestars.org
Charlie Engle was instrumental in founding H2O Africa. He is not mentioned here, nor is he ever acknowledged by Matt Damon and others with Water.org -- I see this as a significant oversight. Thanks.
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