Water

We fast and give one meal to provide one person clean water for a lifetime.

Clean water is the biggest linchpin for ending global poverty. In poor nations, water sources are often distant and dirty. The women and children walk for hours each day to retrieve water from smelly mudholes. While this sounds unimaginable, there are no other water sources available. This unsafe water is filled with parasites and bacteria that cause disease -- the leading cause of sickness and death globally.

More than 1 billion people globally lack access to clean water and sanitation. Over 50% of the world's hospital beds are occupied by patients sick with infections from unsafe water. By providing a holistic clean water solution -- including hygiene training and de-worming pills where needed -- we can reduce disease and health care burden, while giving a lifetime of clean water for about $10 per person.

Providing clean water has a multiplier effect on other key needs. Because villagers don't have to walk for hours each day to retrieve water, women are able to work and grow their income, and children are more able to attend school. The illness and disease burden is also significantly reduced. Clean water, then, is not only vital for giving life, but our solutions reduce disease while increasing education and economic outcomes.

Across the current slate of Global Fast projects, we have served over 20,000 people with clean water at an average cost of $7.87 per person -- which gives them clean, healthy water for a lifetime, as well as the health, education and opportunity benefits.

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