Water For People

Bio

The Problem: Water is the most basic of all human needs. For many of the women, men and children in the developing world, water is a source of both fundamental need and cause for disease. They have to have it, but it's one of the things that can make them sick.

The Facts: According to the World Health Organization Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation, almost one person in eight on earth—or 884 million—now lacks access to reliable drinking water. One third of the population, that's 2.5 billion, lacks adequate sanitation. One result: An estimated 2 million people die every year JUST from diarrhea, the majority of them young children.

Sustainable Solutions: Founded in 1991, Water For People is a Denver-based private, nonprofit international development organization that supports long-lasting safe drinking water resources and improved sanitation facilities in developing countries. The nongovernmental organization is distinguished by its focus on local private sector development, inter-organization collaboration, social entrepreneurship, and the engagement of stakeholders, which combine together to achieve sustainability. The organization has active water, sanitation, and hygiene education programs in 10 countries in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.

Every Water For People project and program is designed and implemented to last. The organization engages the local community, community-based organizations, the private sector, the government, and other nonprofits to build a successful system that functions on its own. By training, coaching, educating, reinforcing, leading, and managing the people and groups on the ground, Water For People builds the skills, knowledge, and behaviors to make a community succeed at their water or sanitation project.