Why water changes everything
Right now, we are facing a global water and sanitation crisis. For people in developing countries, clean water can change everything, but right now, safe access to isn’t an option for millions of people around the world. According to the world bank:
663 million people in the world live without clean water
4 billion people don’t have access to safe toilets (roughly 40% of the world’s population).
The majority of these people live in isolated rural areas and spend hours every day walking to collect water for their family. Not only does walking for water keep children out of school or take up time that parents could be using to earn money, but the water often carries diseases that can make everyone sick.
According to UNICEF, around 289,000 children under five die every year from diarrhoeal diseases caused by poor water and sanitation. That's almost 800 children per day, or one child every two minutes. Luckily, access to safe water and clean toilets are proven to be a great solution—they provide dignity, health and an improved quality of life.
The UN’s sustainable development goal 6, makes a commitment to ensuring everyone in the world has access to clean water by 2030. By partnering with UK-based charity, Just a Drop, ChooseWell is helping customers make a difference with every purchase, because clean water changes everything.
Health
Lack of safe water, hygiene and sanitation can have devastating effects on all aspects of life (including health, livelihoods, future opportunities, and time). On the positive side, access to clean water means education, income and health - especially for women and children.
Time
According to World Vision, women and girls spend 200 million hours walking to collect water for their families. Access to clean water gives communities more time to grow food, earn an income, and go to school, all of which help fight poverty.
Education
Clean water helps keep kids in school, especially girls. Less time collecting water means more time in class. Clean water and proper toilets at school means teenage girls don’t have to stay home for a week out of every month. Women are responsible for 72% of the water collected in Sub-Saharan Africa. When a community gets water, women and girls get their lives back. They start businesses, improve their homes, and take charge of their own futures.
ChooseWell is proud to partner with UK-based water charity Just a Drop that works with local experts and has a track record in finding the best sustainable solution in each place where they work, whether it’s a well, a piped system, a BioSand Filter, or a system for harvesting rainwater. The charity monitors results over a seven-year period. Every water project also involves sanitation and hygiene training to ensure the benefits of clean fresh water reach far into the community.
Sources
https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/watersupply
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/
https://www.unicef.org/media/media_92918.html
https://www.worldvision.org/clean-water-news-stories/walk-water-6k