Water For People - An International Development Organization

Helps people in developing countries improve quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education.

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Dear Friends,

Anita and Ophelia were little girls with big dreams. When I first met them while living in Mozambique, Anita told me she wanted to be a teacher someday; Ophelia said she’d like to be a doctor—both professions that are desperately needed in Africa.

But instead of spending their time in school studying for their future careers, most days Anita and Ophelia had to walk to a faraway river to collect water for their families.

One day, an international development organization came to the girls’ village and built a water system. Publicity pictures were taken of the pair smiling next to their brand-new water source. The charitable organization touted the success and even used their photo in fundraising efforts. The girls were counted among the “beneficiaries” of this particular project.

Most importantly, Anita and Ophelia no longer had to fetch water far from their home. They started attending school and it looked like their dreams might actually come true.

Shortly after the water system was installed, it broke. The development organization, along with their pictures and press releases, was long gone. They hadn’t provided the villagers with any training or resources to fix the system.

It’s the story of broken promises by international organizations that claim “sustainable” outcomes. They come into a community, install a water source, snap a picture, and leave.

We will not operate in this way.

The real measure of success is looking at Anita and Ophelia’s community in 3 years, 6 years, and 10 years. Is their water source still clean and functioning?

We need to be held accountable for our results over time, not just last year. Last year, this year, and beyond, Water For People will work tirelessly to end the scourge of water and sanitation poverty, for everyone, everywhere, forever.

Sincerely,
Edward “Ned” Breslin
Chief Executive Officer

1. Water For People believes it’s time for a change that will break the cycle stifling the potential of so many of the world’s poorest people.

2. Rather than celebrating a new water point, we celebrate the anniversary of the water point.

3. We’ve found that charity alone hasn’t worked. We will never fund a project 100%.

4. Every donor dollar is leveraged by funding from the governments, communities, local partners, and private sector. Every dollar has a ripple effect.

5. We will monitor every project for 10 years – and you’ll have access to the results.