Quenching Thirst, Changing Lives: A Tale of Two Water Charities

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In a world where water is often taken for granted, millions of people face the daily struggle of accessing clean and safe drinking water.

For some, the luxury of turning on a tap to enjoy a refreshing glass of water is an unimaginable dream.

This reality got me thinking about writing a post about it, which has been important to me over the years.

And so today, I want to take a different approach to my normal blog posts.

Today, we will embark on a journey to explore the endeavors of two remarkable water charities I donate to monthly.

These two amazing charities are the Sawyer Foundation and Charity: Water.

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Special Note

Clean Water

Charity: Water

Sawyer

Providing Water Education

Changing Lives with Clean Water:

The Ripple Effect of Sawyer and Charity: Water Initiatives:

Water Changes Lives

Both these organizations share a common vision – to alleviate the suffering caused by the global water crisis and to bring hope to those thirsting for change.

It’s amazing how the combined power of these two charities has been transforming communities and empowering individuals with the most basic necessity for life – water.

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Special Note

What amazes me is how many people don’t know about them!

After all, if you are like me and live in the States, you might not think about where your water comes from.

Well, maybe you do, as many of us here spend a lot of time outdoors. But water filters, like Sawyer, prevent us from getting sick on these outdoor adventures.

This is why I want to talk about these two businesses, as I would like to help bring more people to understand what they stand for and their amazing missions.

Having stated all of that, the intention of this post is not to pressure you into making donations.
Rather, it’s my attempt to explain what these causes are, their impact, and to share two causes that I feel strongly about.

So, if you are still with me, it’s time to grab your metaphorical canteen and let us embark on this enlightening voyage to understand how Sawyer and Charity: Water is changing lives, one drop at a time!

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Clean Water

As we have already covered, I think it’s an easy statement that access to clean drinking water should be a fundamental human right.

Yet, millions of people worldwide still lack this basic necessity.

Here are a few stats and information you might not know:

• According to NPR, approximately 2 billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water.
• This leads to the stat that none of us want to read: an estimated 1.4 million children die each year from these unsafe water sources. There are many more stats and information on the World Health Organization website.
• You might think that there are tons of water sources out there, but remember, many people in developing countries cannot treat this water. Getting water from unsafe sources like rivers, ponds, and unprotected wells leads to waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.

I could go on with more, but I think you understand what I’m trying to get at.

Again, I want to raise awareness that not everyone can access clean water.

That is why supporting initiatives like these two we are about to cover will help provide clean water to those in need.

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Charity: Water

 

First of all, you might be wondering what Charity: Water is.

Instead of writing about it, why not go to the source? Below is a video from Scott Harrison, the founder of Charity: Water, where he explains everything about this amazing charity.

If you don’t want to watch the video, Charity Water is a nonprofit organization providing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries.

I also recently picked up Scott’s book. You can, too, by clicking the image below!

I know, shocking, am I right?

What led me to look into Charity: Water’s mission is ending the global water crisis.

One of the unique aspects of Charity: Water is its commitment to transparency and accountability. If you are giving money to something, you should know everything about it.

Another amazing thing is they use 100% of public donations to fund water projects and provide regular updates and GPS coordinates to show donors exactly where their contributions have been used.

As a regular donor, I receive these updates via email, and it’s always great to see them.

It’s this transparency has helped build trust and credibility for the organization.

Donations fund numerous projects, including constructing wells, water purification systems, and other infrastructure to provide clean water access to communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

If you feel compelled, click here to learn more.

Their work has positively impacted many people’s lives by improving health, reducing the time and effort required to fetch water, and empowering communities to thrive.

But we aren’t stopping there. It’s time to talk about a business I’ve been a customer for as long as I can remember.

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Sawyer

As a quick note, for those of you who might not be aware, I used to work in the outdoor industry.

This is where I discovered and learned much more about the Sawyer Foundation.

Sawyer is a well-known company specializing in water filtration and purification products, primarily designed for outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and emergency preparedness.

You might not know that every item you purchase will help the Foundation, too! So, without knowing it, you might have already helped this foundation out!

If you didn’t realize, Sawyer has a ton of products. Many of which I use. Some of the products that Sawyer offers include:

• Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter: The Sawyer Squeeze is a popular and versatile water filter that uses a hollow fiber membrane to remove bacteria, protozoa, and sediment from water. It’s available in various sizes, including the Sawyer Squeeze Mini and Sawyer Squeeze Plus.
• Sawyer Mini Water Filter: The Sawyer Mini is a compact, lightweight water filter designed for personal use. It’s a favorite among backpackers and hikers due to its portability and ease of use.
• Sawyer Select Series Filters: This series includes products like the Sawyer Select S1, S2, and S3, which combine water filtration and purification. They can remove contaminants and improve the taste of water.
• Sawyer Micro Squeeze: The Micro Squeeze is a smaller version of the Sawyer Squeeze, ideal for ultralight backpacking and travel.
• Sawyer PointONE All-in-One Filter: This versatile filter system includes a faucet adapter, a bucket adapter kit, and a syringe for backflushing. It can be used in various scenarios, including camping and emergency preparedness.
• Sawyer Gravity Filtration Systems: Sawyer offers gravity filtration systems like the Sawyer Gravity System and the GravityWorks 2L and 4L systems. These allow you to filter larger quantities of water with ease.
• Sawyer In-Line Hydration Pack Adapters: These adapters connect your Sawyer filter to your hydration pack, making it easy to drink filtered water on the go.
• Sawyer Cleaning and Maintenance Accessories: Sawyer provides cleaning accessories such as syringes and cleaning couplings to maintain the performance of their filters.
• Sawyer Water Treatment Solutions: Besides filters, Sawyer offers water treatment solutions like water purifiers, insect repellents, and sunscreen products.

But many people aren’t unaware that the Sawyer Foundation is also to help provide clean water solutions for everyone.

The amazing thing is that for every Sawyer product you buy, they donate! One thing I found interesting is that Sawyer helps provide clean water through 140 charities in 80 countries!

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Providing Water Education

Now let’s take a step back and look at the broader impact of access to clean water on education, health, and socio-economic development, along with exploring the ripple effect of initiatives by organizations like Sawyer and Charity:

Water can shed light on the transformation brought by clean water and inspire readers to support these charities.

Changing Lives with Clean Water:

1. Education: Access to clean water is intrinsically linked to education. When children have to spend hours fetching water from distant sources, it deprives them of valuable learning time. Clean water in schools also reduces absenteeism due to waterborne diseases. Children, especially girls, are more likely to attend regularly by providing clean water sources in or near schools, improving education outcomes.
2. Health: Clean water is the first line of defense against waterborne diseases. Access to safe drinking water prevents illnesses, reduces mortality rates, and improves overall health. It also lowers healthcare costs, allowing communities to redirect resources towards development.
3. Socio-economic Development: The availability of clean water can catalyze socio-economic growth. It enables small businesses, such as agriculture, which rely on irrigation. It also empowers women by freeing them from the burden of water collection, allowing them to engage in income-generating activities.

The Ripple Effect of Sawyer and Charity: Water Initiatives:

1. Sawyer’s Impact: Sawyer’s water filtration products, such as the Sawyer Squeeze and Mini, are widely used in humanitarian efforts, benefiting communities worldwide. These filters provide a cost-effective and efficient way to access clean water in various settings, from disaster relief to rural development projects.
2. Charity: Water’s Initiatives: is renowned for its mission to provide clean and safe drinking water to communities in need. Their projects often involve drilling wells, constructing water systems, and implementing water purification technologies. By partnering with local organizations, they ensure sustainable solutions that have lasting effects on communities.

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Water Changes Lives

I’ve enjoyed learning that these two water charities have shown us how clean water can change lives.

I also hope this post helps clarify why everyone deserves clean drinking water. We don’t think about so much, and water is one of the big ones.

And there are still millions without this basic need being met.

I am confident that every donation can make a difference in meeting everyone’s needs.

It calls on all of us, as global citizens, to unite in purpose and take action.

As we wrap up this exploration of these two water charities, let’s start a new chapter filled with purpose, empathy, and unity.