Help us give 800,000 people clean water this year.
We've had an amazing year so far. Our water programs team has scoured the globe, blazing the trail for charity: water to expand. They've slept on planes, in airports, in tents and in villages. They've traveled on dusty roads to some of the most remote places in the world to meet people in need of clean drinking water -- and find solutions to help them. But the year isn't over yet, and we need your help to finish strong.
So before 2011 wraps up, we want to tell you about three programs we're excited about, and ask for your help funding them. If we can pull it off, we'll have the largest year in the history of charity: water, helping almost 800,000 people get access to clean water this year alone. That's more than one person every minute.
If we reach our goals, our partner Concern Worldwide will install 6 wells that will help 3,000 people in the D.R.C.
The D.R.C. is ranked the least developed nation in the world. And the Manono and Pweto areas in the south are some of the most remote in the country. The people here are used to fending for themselves. They've suffered through years of conflict and isolation.
Cholera outbreaks are common here from contaminated water and lack of sanitation. But they can be prevented if we drill clean water wells, and train communities on safe hygiene and sanitation practices.
Bangladesh is being poisoned. A large aquifer running under several regions here is contaminated with naturally-occurring arsenic at alarming levels. Many wells installed in the 1960s are no longer safe to use.
The handles of these wells have been painted red to discourage people from using them, but when your other choice is to drink water from a swamp, you might take your chances. Arsenic poisoning causes skin lesions, skin cancer and cancer of the internal organs.
With your help, we hope to fund
218 wells in communities and schools in Bangladesh, serving more than 60,000 people with clean water. These wells will draw from a deeper, arsenic-free aquifer. Water will be tested before community use.
If we hit our goals, we can begin investing in
three large-scale water systems which will help 7,000 people in Honduras
.
Our local partner in Honduras, Water for People, is changing the game. They're not afraid of trying new things and their bold commitment called Everyone promises that when they start working in a region, they don't leave until everyone has access to safe water and sanitation.
Everyone means every household, every person, every school and every clinic. Here in Honduras, we want to fund three large-scale water systems in the Ilama and San Antonio de Cortes regions. These systems will bring clean water close to everyone's homes through a network of pipes and tap stands.
Three ways you can help us fund these programs.
All donations to charity: water will help us fund these programs and several others by the end of 2011. Our goal is to provide 800,000 people with clean drinking water this year.
As always, 100% of every dollar will directly fund work on the ground.
