Some of you may have noticed the logos on the right-hand sidebar of the blog. There are three charities there that I support, in three areas that I feel a personal connection to. They are not the only charities that I give to, or the only charities that I think are doing important work, but they are three that I focus my resources on. Today, I wanted to share a little about Charity: Water, an organization that just won a grant from Google.
Clean water is at the root of health in third world countries, literally the stuff of life. According to Charity:Water, 80% of all the sickness in the world is attributable to unsafe water and sanitation. Without clean water, basic hygiene isn’t possible and illness is easily spread. Infant mortality rates are high. More than half the population of Africa does not have access to clean, safe water.
As a feminist, I also view this as a human rights issue, knowing that access to water means opportunity for female education. Traditionally, fetching water is a women’s role; and where water is scarce, an all day affair. Freeing women from this task means freeing them to learn. Once a community has reliable and convenient access to clean ,safe water, the resources of the women can be turned towards their families, their village and themselves. Children can go to school. Small business of homemade products can pop up. A flowering can take place.
Charity:Water has partnered with private donors, foundations, angel investors and corporate sponsors so that 100% of public donations go to water projects in the field. Watch your dollars at work, on their Dollars to Projects page, tracking your contribution from donation to the google map location of the well!
What charities do you support? Are there any issues you feel passionate about supporting?
Cheers!
Alison
First posted on Thistle and Plum by .
